Using a SQL server has follwowing benefits compared to a serverless use:

• All clients are always up-to-date at any given time.
• SQL servers are designed to handle a large number of clients and large databases.
• Multiple users can edit the phrase database simultaneously.
• The client-/server architecture prevents write collisions and version conflicts.
• Clients load the phrase contents on demand in the moment of text insertion to minimize memory consumption on the local clients.
• The phrase database is centrally stored and can be included in your existing SQL backup mechanism.
• License keys are centrally managed.
• You can define "master users" with extra credentials. Those have general access to all phrases and can centrally configure client program settings of all users.
• Each user can have a personal phrase folder to store their personal phrases.
• Also works over the internet if using a Amazon/Azure SQL cloud server.

• PhraseExpress is very easy-to-use with a SQL Server, but setup in customized system environments may require advanced IT skills. We kindly ask for your understanding, that installation support in such case is not free-of-charge. If you are overwhelmed, please consider using PhraseExpress with cloud sharing which is easy to setup.
• Phrases are inserted with a small delay as the content is dynamically loaded from the SQL server over the network connection. If the SQL server is accessed through VPN or if using a cloud based Azure or Amazon AWS SQL server, there can be extra lag due to the slower internet transmission. For timing-critical applications such as spelling correction text replacements, PhraseExpress clients can be configured to load the entire SQL database upfront on startup. Alternatively, you can use a separate additional local phrase file for all phrases, that is loaded into the fast local memory for instant insertion.
• The SQL database is not available if the network connection is interrupted. However, you can cache the SQL phrase database on your device with a single click.
• PhraseExpress for iOS cannot access a SQL server due to Apple's App restrictions. Please use cloud sharing for Apple devices.