A Login is used for authentication into a SQL Instance while a User is used for authorization into a SQL Database. Note that Logins are used at the Instance level and Users are used at the Database level. Here is how to create a new Login and User in SQL Server.

How do logins differ from users?

A “Login” grants the principal entry into the SERVER. A “User” grants a login entry into a single DATABASE. One “Login” can be associated with many users (one per database).

What is a login in SQL?

A login is a security principal at the scope of the SQL Server instance, and a SQL Server instance can contain numerous databases. … Simply stated, a login allows you to connect to a SQL Server instance. Once you are connected to SQL Server instance, you will typically need access to a particular database.