1. 1. Connection Method: The key difference between mssql and tedious lies in their connection methods. Mssql provides a native .NET driver that allows direct connectivity to SQL Server, while tedious is a JavaScript implementation of the Tabular Data Stream (TDS) protocol, which enables the connection to SQL Server from Node.js or other JavaScript environments.

2. 2. API Paradigm: Another notable difference is the API paradigm used by mssql and tedious. Mssql follows a callback-based programming model, where asynchronous operations are handled using callbacks. On the other hand, tedious offers a promise-based API, allowing developers to leverage async/await syntax for handling asynchronous operations in a more concise and readable manner.

3. 3. Active Development: One significant distinction between mssql and tedious is their level of active development and community support. Mssql is developed and maintained by Microsoft, a reputable software company, ensuring regular updates, bug fixes, and compatibility enhancements. Conversely, tedious is an open-source project with a smaller community, meaning the frequency of updates and available resources may be comparatively fewer.

4. 4. Compatibility: mssql supports a wider range of SQL Server versions, including older versions like SQL Server 2000, whereas tedious primarily focuses on SQL Server 2005 and later versions. This compatibility difference is crucial for organizations that need to connect to legacy SQL Server installations.

5. 5. Features and Performance: mssql offers a more extensive set of features and capabilities, such as support for bulk insert operations, streaming rowsets, and user-defined types. Additionally, mssql boasts better overall performance due to its optimized native .NET driver. Meanwhile, tedious may have some limitations or slightly slower performance due to its JavaScript implementation and reliance on the TDS protocol.

6. 6. Community Adoption: Compared to tedious, mssql enjoys a larger adoption within the development community. It is widely used in enterprise environments, leveraging its strong integration with the Microsoft technology stack and established reputation. This wider adoption translates into more extensive community support, better third-party library integrations, and a higher availability of online resources and documentation.

In Summary, mssql provides a native .NET driver for direct connectivity to SQL Server, follows a callback-based API paradigm, benefits from active development by Microsoft, has wider compatibility, offers more features and better performance, and enjoys greater community adoption compared to tedious, which is a JavaScript implementation of the TDS protocol, uses a promise-based API, has a smaller community, and focuses on SQL Server 2005 and later versions.