What is the difference between SQL Server Compact Edition and SQL Server Express Edition?

pencilCake picture pencilCake · Jul 30, 2010 · Viewed 11.1k times · Source

Can someone please explain what is the main difference between SQL Server Compact Edition and SQL Server Express Edition?

For what purpose I should use this or that one?

Thanks

Answer

Nix picture Nix · Jul 30, 2010

This blog has everything you need, it will even give you a feature comparison.

If you don't feel like reading, SQL Server Compact is for Mobile/Embeded Apps, and Express edition is just a free scaled down SQL Server standard.

Edit A very important thing to point out as @Rup just stated is that Compact is an in memory database.