Announcing General Availability of the mssql-python Driver

We’re thrilled to announce that the mssql-python driver is now Generally Available! 🎉

This milestone marks a major step forward in delivering a modern, high-performance, and developer-friendly experience for Python developers working with SQL Server, Azure SQL and SQL databases in Fabric.

Why mssql-python?

The mssql-python driver is a DB-API 2.0 compliant driver designed from the ground up to provide speed, simplicity, and security for Python applications connecting to SQL Server. We think data and devops engineers, analysts, and developers who use Python for configuration, analysis or AI will all find something they like.

Here’s what makes it stand out:

🚀 Fast and Cross-platform

The mssql-python driver is built on an optimized C++ core that delivers high performance and a consistent API across operating systems. Internal benchmarks show that the mssql-python driver performs well across common SQL operations such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE. Complex queries, joins, and stored procedures also perform well, making it ideal for both transactional and analytical workloads.

📦 One-Line Installation

Whether you are just getting started or sharing scripts you have written, the mssql_python driver makes it easier than ever. Install the driver with a single command:

pip install mssql-python

No extra dependencies on Windows, no complicated configurations - just install and start coding.

🔐 Simplified Entra ID Authentication

Security shouldn’t be hard. The mssql-python driver offers built-in support for Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) authentication, reducing complexity and eliminating the need for custom token handling. This makes it easier to build secure, enterprise-grade applications without extra overhead. The mssql-python driver supports Active Directory Default authentication across all operating systems, making it easier to remove credentials from your code while still allowing you to share a script that just works.

Key Highlights

• Cross-Platform Support: Works seamlessly on Windows, Linux, and macOS (including Apple Silicon).
• Connection Pooling: Efficient, configurable pooling for high-performance applications.
• Modern Python Experience: Clean APIs, better diagnostics, and improved error handling.

Get Started Today

Upgrade your Python data workflows with the new mssql-python driver:

pip install mssql-python

Check out the GitHub repository for documentation, examples, and to join the community. You can also go directly to our PyPI page to download the latest release.

Visit the aka.ms/mssql-python#get-started to view more quickstarts.

What’s Next?

We’re committed to continuous improvement. Upcoming releases will focus on bulk insert optimizations, ORM integrations, and community-driven enhancements. Stay tuned for updates and share your feedback on GitHub!