Is there any reason why I should use SQL Server Standard over Express for a simple web-based site? As far as I can tell, Express offers tables, diagrams, triggers and stored procedures. In addition, I’ve seen no real lapse in transaction processing, raising errors, or logging.
One of the most obvious differences is Express limits your DB to 4gb. Here is a comparison matrix from Microsoft.
Not really, especially considering you can pretty much dismount an express db and remount it to Sql Standard and be none the worse for wear.
Express doesnt allow you to schedule jobs, limits memory to 1gb, 1 CPU and hasnt got SSIS.
Another cheap alternative is MS SQL web edition or workgroup.
We just installed web edition today and pay $25 monthly with backup