I've been using SQL Server Express as a database for several years now. I just downloaded SSMS 22, and I'd have to say that I'm distinctly unimpressed. Microsoft seems to have lost it's way with interfaces, of late. And then there's the thread I have over in Networking, which is related to some I've had in this section. Overall, SQL Server Express seems like a pretty good product that suits my needs, but it also seems to be declining in quality. Therefore, I figured I'd see what recommendations people would make.

What I need is a system that can be installed on one computer fairly easily (SQL Server isn't all THAT easy to install, though it can be automated), and which can then be used by a fairly small number of users (likely never to exceed half a dozen) over a local network. The users would be unlikely to work with the database directly, but would be using a program written in .NET Framework (or possibly Core, at some point) for all interactions.

What would people use for that?