What is the difference between Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions?

Windows Server 2016 comes in multiple editions, with Standard and Datacenter being the most common. The core OS is the same in both, but the virtualization rights and some advanced features differ.

When talking these two editions, the key differences are:

• Virtualization rights:
  • Standard: licensing for up to 2 virtual machines per license (when all physical cores are licensed).
  • Datacenter: unlimited virtual machines on the licensed host.
• Storage features:
  • Datacenter includes Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica.
  • Standard has more limited storage replication capabilities.
• Shielded Virtual Machines:
  • Full shielded VM support is available in Datacenter.

If you only run a small number of VMs and do not need the advanced storage or shielding features, Standard is usually enough. If you plan to consolidate many virtual machines or use Storage Spaces Direct, Datacenter is the better choice despite the higher price.