What's the difference between a client and a server?
What's the difference between an IDES24 private client and a private server?
A complete comparison: security, scalability, integrations, multi-tenancy, and more.
SAP Client or SAP Server?
The key difference for your SAP sandbox project — explained simply.
What's an SAP Client?
An SAP Client is an isolated client within an existing SAP system.
Perfect for training, demos, or standardized developments
Typical features:
Your own client, but a shared system
Low costs
Quick to get started
No Basis or server administration
Limited customization
What's an SAP Server?
An SAP Server is a fully dedicated SAP system, exclusively for your company.
Typical features:
Dedicated database & application server
Full system & Basis control
Maximum performance & security
Perfect for development, testing & industry solutions
Higher costs — but maximum flexibility
Client vs. Server: A direct comparison
| Category | Dedicated Client Access | Dedicated Server Access |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Customers | Enterprises, consultants, training teams, ISV developers | Company-wide teams, partners, Basis teams, ISV developers, industry-specific users |
| Cost Level | Standard (billed per client) | Premium (per server; same price for 1–500 users) |
| Primary Use Cases | Stable demos, customizing, integration, development | Full-scale development, industry solutions, advanced integrations, Basis admin training |
| Secondary Use Cases | Structured training, Proof of Concepts (POCs) | Large-scale training, load and performance testing |
| Data Stability | ✔ Stable (dedicated client) | ✔✔ Fully isolated, dedicated DB & application server |
| Customizing Isolation | ✔ Yes – isolated per client | ✔✔ Complete system isolation |
| Multiple Clients | ✔ Yes (each additional client is billed separately) | ✔✔ Yes – unlimited (already included in the server price) |
| Industry-Specific Solutions | ✖ Not supported | ✔ Supported – requires complete system isolation |
| Risk from other users | Low | No risk |
| Demo usage | ✔ Good & stable | ✔✔ Optimal – fully isolated & freely configurable |
| ABAP Development | ✔ Possible – Code visible system-wide & cross-client | ✔✔ Full development with a private, isolated ABAP repository |
| Admin / Basis Access | ✖ No technical access (client level only) | ✔ Full admin access (Client 000, user & role maintenance, STMS, SCC4, etc.) |
| Direct Database Access | ✖ Not allowed | ✔ Allowed (ODBC / JDBC, plugins, direct integrations) |
| Supported Integrations | ✔ SMS9, RFCs, Cloud Connector | ✔✔ Fully supported – including DB-level & complex integrations |
| Cloud Connector | ✔ Yes (own BTP subscription required) | ✔ Yes (own BTP subscription required) |
| System Performance | Stable | Highest performance & guaranteed performance |
| Flexibility | Medium | Full |
Which system is right for me?
SAP Client is perfect for:
Training teams & sessions
Freelancers & individual developers
Consultants for demos & workshops
Proof of Concepts
Standard Customizing
SAP Server is perfect for:
Companies with development projects
ISVs & product developers
Industry Solutions (IS-Retail, IS-Oil, etc.)
Load & Performance Tests
Integration scenarios with third-party systems
Choose your SAP test system
Public SAP User
with Fully Activated Appliance + Fiori
for individual users, freelancers & students
from €100 / month
Private SAP Client
SAP S/4 HANA Access
1x Client with Fully Activated Appliance
incl. 4x User IDs + 1x ABAP User ID
from €800 / month
Private SAP Server
Dedicated SAP System
incl. 2 clients + your own configurations
from €2,500 / month
