For a lot of businesses, finding a suitable Microsoft Access alternative for their needs is becoming pretty urgent.
See, Access has been rumored to be reaching its end-of-life for a few years now — although Microsoft hasn’t unveiled any formal plans for a retirement party.
Even so, in 2024, Access feels like a bit of a product of a bygone era. Not to be outwardly critical, but in the age of cloud computing, low-code development, DBaaS tools, and even AI, it’s tough for legacy platforms to keep up with the needs of modern businesses.
Despite this, countless businesses still use Access. Indeed — and to its credit — it’s been at the center of all kinds of solutions for decades.
But, today we’re exploring some more modern alternatives. Specifically, we’ll check out the following.
- What is Microsoft Access?
- Who uses Access?
- Why would you want a Microsoft Access Alternative?
- 10 Microsoft Access alternatives for 2025
Let’s kick off with a little bit of background.
What is Microsoft Access?
Launched way, way back in 1992, Access is basically a database management system, with its own graphical user interface and built-in functionality for building applications with your data.
More specifically, Access is an RDBMS that stores data in its own proprietary file format based on the Access Database Engine. Like the rest of Microsoft Office, objects stored in Access are supported by the Visual Basic Application Language (VBA).
This can be used to call built-in operations from the Windows operating system.
Historically, it’s been shipped as part of the Microsoft Office suite of tools.
Microsoft Access is variously used as both an application front-end and back-end.
Since Access is a database, one option is obviously to use it to store data in tables, and then build interfaces and database applications for interacting with this.
But, Access also provides basic functionality for building UIs — especially things like forms, data tables, and other basic app screens — either based on internal data — or other databases, like Microsoft SQL Server.
Access can also be used as a multi-user database, although we can’t achieve as sleek an experience as with some newer alternatives — or tools that support MySQL, Postgresql, or other SQL databases.
Historically, a big selling point for Access was the relative ease of automating data operations using macros — using either VBA or point-and-click actions.
Access also gained popularity for enabling users to leverage database templates, helping them get up and running for specific use cases quickly. It’s also well regarded in terms of scalability — both for end users and datasets.
Who uses Access?
This is actually quite an interesting question. A huge proportion of Access users in 2023 are enterprise IT teams in legacy industries — think banking, big corporations, and manufacturing companies for a few examples.
Why?
One reason is simply Access’s ubiquity. In large organizations, getting new tools through IT’s vetting process can be a big challenge. If the Microsoft Access Database is already an approved tool, continuing to use it will likely be the quickest way to output whatever solution you want to build.
In other cases, Access is popular among organizations that are already heavily embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem — especially Sharepoint, Dynamics, or other related tools.
However, this isn’t the whole picture. Companies don’t only use Access because they have to.
Another key use case is scenarios where we might ordinarily use Excel, but we need more advanced functionality.
For instance, around more granular security and access control. Excel will let us protect entire sheets, but Access enables you to do the same for individual records.
Since it’s a full-on database, Access also scales a lot better than a spreadsheet, making it preferable for large data sets — while still retaining some similarities to Excel in terms of user experience.
Some people also use Access because it’s what they know. In fact, there are plenty of power users out there who are effectively Microsoft Access specialists.
Why would you want a Microsoft Access alternative?
So, Access obviously suits plenty of teams. What are the motivations for change?
We’ve already hinted at a few of the key factors. One is, naturally, Microsoft Access’s somewhat uncertain future.
Besides this, there’s the pace of change elsewhere in the technology landscape. This actually harms Access’s user base from two angles.
First, there’s been the emergence of new solutions that directly compete with Microsoft’s offering.
Of course, we’ll see some of these in a second.
Second, wider changes in your typical business’s tech stack are also leading IT teams to seek out alternatives. Fundamental changes in day-to-day IT operations related to the rise of NoSQL, cloud computing, big data, and other seismic shifts lie at the heart of this.
For many businesses, Microsoft Access simply no longer fits neatly into the bigger picture of internal IT.
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10 Microsoft Access Alternatives
Now, we already know that different companies can use Microsoft Access in slightly different ways — and they’ll all have their own reasons for seeking out alternatives.
Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that the best replacement for Access will vary from one company to the next.
In fact, there are actually a couple of different approaches we could take to picking an alternative. On the one hand, we could go for a straight, like-for-like swap — by choosing a tool from another vendor that basically does the same thing as Access.
Or, we might opt for a solution that addresses the same underlying pain points, but differs in terms of the approach to solving these problems — and therefore the specific functionality on offer.
With that in mind, here are eight of our favorite Microsoft Access alternatives for 2025 and beyond.
- Budibase
- OpenOffice Base
- AxisBase
- LibreOffice Base
- SQLite
- NeonDB
- MongoDB
- Google Sheets
- Airtable
- Smartsheet
Here’s a summary of what each one offers.
Let’s check them out in more detail.
Budibase
First off, Budibase is the leading open-source, low-code platform
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With a market-beating range of external data connectors, our own built-in database, autogenerated UIs, flexible RBAC, optional self-hosting, intuitive automations, free SSO, and more, there’s never been an easier way to output performant apps at pace. In Budibase 3.0, we’ve also introduced visual RBAC, custom AI configs, automation branching, and raft of other market-beating features.
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To learn more, check out our features overview
.
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OpenOffice Base
Apache’s OpenOffice Base is an open-source, free Microsoft Access alternative. Therefore, it offers broadly similar functionality to its COTS equivalent. Base is built around a dedicated wizard for creating database designs, tables, views, forms, reports, and more.
It’s built around the HSQL database engine — but also offers native support for flat files, as well as major DBMSs like Postgres and MySQL.
Obviously, Base is explicitly aimed at being an Access alternative, but we can’t reasonably expect the same levels of integration with other Microsoft tools — including support for native OS functions.
However, the biggest downside to Apache’s offering is probably its UI. It’s perfectly functional, but it won’t win any design prizes. In fact, these days, it looks pretty dated. Still, it is free, so we can’t win them all.
Axisbase
Axisbase is another free solution that directly positions itself as an alternative to Access. This time, it’s aimed at a slightly different user base — targeting users with a somewhat lower level of technical skills.
In other words, you don’t have to be a database expert in order to create viable solutions — but if you are you might encounter limitations regarding some of the things you might like to do.
So, there’s an intuitive interface for building databases, drill-downs, reports, and menus — but a lack of more advanced database concepts like primary and foreign keys, compression, and indexing.
Axisbase is a great solution for smaller-scale solutions but doesn’t necessarily scale well to large-scale server farms or data warehouses.
LibreOffice Base
LibreOffice Base is another open-source Microsoft Access alternative. It’s aimed at large enterprises that currently use Access and want to replace it. So, it’s built around a very simple interface and core functionality.
It offers native support for a huge range of database engines, including MySQL, MariaDB, Postgres, Adabas D, and MS Access itself. Therefore, making the switch can be incredibly easy.
LibreOffice Base also makes it relatively simple to get up and running, with a range of pre-configured database designs for common use cases, like inventory tracking and relationship management.
It’s also got its own SQL query editor. However, some users complain about a lack of support for more advanced custom queries, including ANSI-compliant SQL.
SQLite
SQLite is the first of our Microsoft Access alternatives that isn’t a straightforward lift-and-shift replacement. It’s actually a full-blown software library and database engine in its own right, offering a huge range of functionality.
It’s largely built around the C language family, offering a self-contained, serverless SQL instance with minimal configuration.
SQLite also makes it easy to package smaller relational databases within applications.
However, many users find that it’s unsuitable for larger-scale solutions, due to a lack of network access or remote access.
NeonDB
NeonDB is a slightly different prospect again. It’s an open-source, scalable, serverless implementation of Postgresql that you can run on-premises or on Neon’s own infrastructure.
However, one thing sets NeonDB apart from other database tools — branching. Neon branches are writable, enabling us to experiment without impacting the main branch, create instant backups, manage integrations, and much, much more.
NeonDB also offers huge integrability via its API, enabling us to connect to all sorts of external tools for retrieving data, managing business processes, and building front-end interfaces.
It also features built-in secrets management, jobs pipelines, and helper scripting, making it a highly flexible platform that’s suitable for a vast array of solutions.
MongoDB
MongoDB has been one of the major players in the rise of NoSQL databases over the past decade or so. The idea is to combine the power and stability of traditional database engines with the scale, performance, and flexibility required for traditional app development.
But, there’s also a steeper learning curve than SQL-based databases.
At its core, Mongo is a document store database. This means that data entities are created as JSON objects. It also offers direct support for JDBC, Python, JavaScript, C#, Ruby, and many more coding languages.
Nowadays, countless businesses use Mongo for both their application’s front and back ends.
However, it’s arguably not totally suitable for simpler use cases. We don’t get all of the same functionality as we would in an RDBMS for things like relationships. Less technical users might also struggle with simple tasks like data entry or CRUD operations.
Google Sheets
Sheets is Google’s alternative to Microsoft Excel. But, it also offers a whole range of capabilities that can make it a viable alternative for certain kinds of Microsoft Access users.
See, as a facet of where it sits in the wider Google Workspace ecosystem, Sheets is functionally quite a lot more than a spreadsheet tool.
For instance, integrations with other packages like BigQuery and App Engine, as well as a huge range of customization options through a dedicated plug-ins marketplace.
However, we still have some of the limitations that we’d see with any other spreadsheet tool compared to a formal database. This includes the likes of less advanced security measures, high potential for human error, and overall poor scalability.
Airtable
Airtable is one of the newer players in the data management space. As a Microsoft Access alternative, it empowers non-technical colleagues to build effective solutions with an intuitive, spreadsheet-like interface.
So, we can achieve some of the power and flexibility we would with a traditional database tool, with similar user interactions to the likes of Excel or Google Sheets.
Additionally, it offers dedicated functionality for creating end-user solutions, including app UIs and workflow tools — alongside a library of templates that make it easy to get up and running when creating custom solutions.
However, Airtable is also highly focused on wholesale migration to its own platform. So, it might be a strong option for moving away from spreadsheets for handling business data — but it lacks extensive support for other kinds of data sources, including directly querying SQL tools.
You might also like our round-up of the top Airtable alternatives
.
SmartSheet
Lastly, we have SmartSheet. This is another platform that seeks to empower users with database-like functionality in a spreadsheet-based UI. Just like Airtable, it also provides additional tools for designing interfaces, automating workflows, and centralizing data.
However, on thing to note is that SmartSheet is heavily skewed towards managing tasks, workloads, and projects. So, it may not be a viable Microsoft Access alternative outside of these areas.
SmartSheet is particularly strong on building certain kinds of user interfaces for interacting with your data. For instance, we can easily create custom views for project data, including calendars, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and more.
Again, SmartSheet is a strong option for non-techincal teams who want to move away from reliance on spreadsheets, but may fall short when it comes to more complex data management needs.
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Most free database software isn’t as good as Microsoft Access. Fortunately, there are a rare few great alternatives. This article covers the five best. Microsoft Access is a database tool, popularized through its inclusion in most Microsoft Office packages since 1992.
Like many database programs, Microsoft Access is a complex tool with a steep learning curve. However, there are Microsoft Access alternatives, and here are some of the best.
Why Use a Microsoft Access Alternative?
Is Microsoft Access your go-to database tool? It is understandable. Access is a core Microsoft Office feature for both Office 365 and standalone licenses. Despite the rise in free Microsoft Office alternatives, Microsoft Access still consistently features in the top 10 database-engines rankings. It can even be used for other stuff, like building forms in Access.
Microsoft Access splits opinions, too. Pro-Access users point to its ease of use, the massive range of online resources available for users of all abilities, as well as its powerful querying, filtering, and table tools. Anti-Access users contest its lack of scalability, its frustrating 2GB limit, its continued use of a solitary file for the database, and potential for database corruption in multiple-user databases.
For others, the price of Microsoft Access is a sticking point, too. Other free database options perform as well as, if not better than, Microsoft Access.
The Best Free Database Software
The followings are some worthy Microsoft Access alternatives that you can try out for free:
1. LibreOffice Base
LibreOffice Base is a great starting point for those considering a free alternative to Microsoft Access. The open-source office suite remains a strong pretender to the Microsoft Office crown, and the latest version of LibreOffice, 6.1.3, is one of the best yet. Base remains a great all-rounder, well-suited to both home and business needs.
LibreOffice Base has a range of handy features, including cross-database support for multi-user databases such as MySQL, Adabas D, Microsoft Access, and PostgreSQL. LibreOffice Base is probably as close as you can get to a direct Microsoft Access clone. Both are front-end database management tools. You can use Base to make decent database applications or websites, as well as choose between Firebird or HSQLDB for your embedded database framework.
Download: LibreOffice for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
2. Kexi
Calligra Suite is an office and graphic design suite developed by the KDE open source community. Kexi is the Calligra Suite answer to Microsoft Access. Kexi offers a decent mixture of database features: data entry, queries, forms, tables, reports, and more. Furthermore, you can use Kexi as the front-end for a database server such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Microsoft SQL Server.
Another handy feature for those users looking to make the switch is the Kexi Microsoft Access migration assistant. The wizard helps users migrate databases to the Kexi database framework, persevering data and allowing editing between the applications.
Download: Kexi for Windows | Linux (Free)
3. Axisbase
Axisbase was brought to life by a frustrated developer, angered at the expense of forcing his clientele to pay for Microsoft Access, though development seems to have stopped in January 2011. Axisbase is slightly different from the other entries in this list in that it offers an entire database solution, with a familiar front-end interface that feels similar to Filemaker, Access, or Base, but can also act as a database server like MySQL.
Note: Axisbase doesn’t support standard SQL, so, be careful! Axis base isn’t the most accessible database program to use. You will use Axisbase “building blocks” to develop your database. A building block is «a data subset, list, graph, window, or report.» The building blocks can become incredibly complex, such is the underlying depth of Axisbase.
The best place to get started is the Axisbase Documentation Home. The developer provides an overview of how many of the systems work, how you can implement building blocks, and other vital information for the development of your database.
Download: Axisbase for Windows (Free)
4. Symphytum
Symphytum is an open-source personal visual database. The biggest difference between Symphytum and the other options on this list is the target market.
Symphytum is a handy database tool for personal databases, without any need to learn any programming or complicated structures. Don’t let that statement fool you, though.
You can still use Symphytum to create a large visual database with lots of customization. It is very accessible and has some handy features, too. For instance, you can drag and drop fields with records to arrange the visual layout. Symphytum does come with a few limitations, mind. The database cannot “handle relational data and automatic field calculations.” Also, the Import CSV function leaves a lot to be desired.
Download: Symphytum for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
5. PortaBase
Your final free alternative to Microsoft Access is also the most basic. In that, you probably won’t replace the extensive functionality of Access with PortaBase. However, PortaBase is free, and you can create a basic single table database without too much effort. Because it is such a basic program, there isn’t much to learn, either. You create a new database, add the fields that you want, and start filling them in.
You can import from CSV, XML, or MobileDB, and export to CSV, HTML, or XML. One nice PortaBase feature is integrated file encryption. You have the option to encrypt your database using a Blowfish-based encryption library, meaning the encryption is good and strong. Just make sure you don’t lose your password!
Download: PortaBase for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
6. DBeaver
DBeaver is another open-source database creation and management tool that you can try out. It’s available for all major computer operating systems like Windows, macOS, or Linux. It comes with the Apache License 2.0, and hence, you can also use the app for both personal and commercial purposes without giving any royalty to the developers.
A refreshing feature of this app is it supports various trending database files for importing into its environment. Therefore, you can add database elements to your DBeaver project from other sources like PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, Firebird, Sybase, and so on. DBeaver project explorer comes with advanced database building features like drag-and-drop editing, import from comma-separated values (CSV), column grouping, JDBC driver for SQL, and many more.
Download: DBeaver for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
7. My Visual Database
My Visual Database offers a modern user interface (UI) sleek design, and hence, stands out from other open-source database apps. The app is easy-to-use, and you can start creating basic databases just after installing it on your computer. You also don’t need to go through any coding courses to create table-based databases.
- After installation, run the app from the computer’s home screen.
- Click on New table and give your table a name.
- Click the New field option to start building the database table.
- Once you click the New field table, it’ll ask you to select the data type, like text, integer, currency, and many more.
- Select the data type and type a Field name to enter your data.
The app also lets you choose the relational database management system (RDBMS) type for advanced database application creation. In the top-right corner of the app, you’ll see the Database:SQLite button. It lets you toggle between the RDBMS type. You can also access database learning resources with a single click from the toolbar options like Book, Forum, and Help. Though the app is only available for Windows computers, it’s a good option for database learners.
Download: My Visual Database for Windows (Free)
8. DB Browser for SQLite
DB Browser for SQLite enables you to edit, create, or design database files with SQLite compatibility. The app brings you a spreadsheet-like database project interface, and thus it’s an ideal Microsoft Access alternative. You can also execute complex SQL commands from the GUI visually without memorizing those.
The app also offers various wizard-based database building so that anyone can create basic databases for phone contacts, music libraries, movie catalogs, and so on. You can also effortlessly import databases from other programs provided that the files are in supported formats like .db, .sqlite, .sqlite3, and .db3. If you’re working on any confidential database project and require powerful database encryption, you can also utilize its database encryption system.
However, you can only encrypt existing databases. Hence, you have to create a database first, and then you can encrypt it with a password. Ensure you install the SQLCipher feature to enable the encryption feature.
Download: DB Browser for SQLite for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
Other Microsoft Access Alternatives
There are some notable absences from the Microsoft Access alternatives list. You also have the option of using other free and open-source database options such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL, SQLite, Cassandra, MariaDB, or one of the many others. These all represent resilient, powerful database tools suited to an extensive range of database tasks.
However, for relative ease of use, especially for new users wishing to experiment or get to grips with their first database management program, these selections represent a thorough cross-section of the existing market.
Processing data is an important part of business life. Whether it’s a customer register, your private address book, accounting, or inventory: with digitalization ever increasing, it is becoming more and more important to organize and manage records as quickly, flexibly, and clearly as possible. This is achieved using database management systems (DBMS) that organize data and display it (e.g., a list of contacts’ locations sorted by zip code).
Microsoft Access (also known as MS Access) is a popular DBMS. The program is used in many small to medium-sized companies as well as by private users. The advantage over other DBMS: programming skills are not required to operate Microsoft Access. In addition to MS Access, there are other tried and tested database management systems that enable you to work in a similar way — some of them are also compatible with other operating systems such as macOS or GNU/Linux. There are even some free alternatives to Microsoft Access. We provide you with three of the best Microsoft Access alternatives that you can download for free.
Why are MS Access alternatives needed?
But why would you need to look for an alternative to Microsoft Access? Its popularity would suggest that it’s a very capable and well-developed DBMS. In fact, MS Access does a fair amount of advantages — it is suitable for beginners as well as those who have more experience dealing with databases. However, it is only available for Windows and comes at a cost.
Microsoft Access is a relational database management system (RDBMS) that supports the input, storage, processing, evaluation, and presentation of data. The relational database model employed by the software is the most widely used form of database management systems — with an RDBMS, the data sets of different tables can be compared with one another.
The software provides a graphical user interface so you can easily manage databases. The front end not only allows you to request data but also directly change it, etc. By default, MS Access saves data sets in its backend using the Microsoft Jet Engine. Microsoft Access can also be connected to an SQL server database in which case Access only functions as a front end/GUI.
Unlike many database management systems that work according to the client-server principle (such as MySQL or its spin-offs MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database , etc.), Microsoft Access uses a desktop database management system. This means that the server doesn’t necessarily need to be connected to a network to be able to work on a database with MS Access.
Databases can be fully created as desktop applications. However, there is also the possibility to design a database as a web app but it must be hosted via a SharePoint web application from Microsoft and has fewer options than the desktop app. You can then view and edit a web database developed with MS Access in your browser.
Whether you are using MS Access to create a desktop or web application, MS Access databases are saved by default in a single file (in .mdb or the newer .accdb file format). This is the difference between desktop database management systems (such as MS Access) and server-database management systems (such as MySQL or MS SQL Server): a server DBMS typically creates one file for each database, as well as one entire folder, where the contents and design of the database are distributed over multiple files.
Advantages of MS Access
The software is particularly suited to beginners in database management: you don’t need any programming skills for producing simple databases since this is also relatively easy using the graphical user interface. Various assistants and templates (e.g., for contact administration, project tasks, etc.) make everything a lot easier. However, it is possible to freely define the data fields and to adapt the data model’s characteristics to specific requirements. Data sets or tables can be created, edited, and linked with each other quickly and easily in MS Access. If you want to use the program to implement extensive applications, there’s no way you can get around programming with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) — although the effort required is usually less than with other database management systems. Using macros, you can also automate various tasks relatively easily.
It’s not only creating or administrating data sets that is often easier with MS Access than with other database management systems, but it’s also easier to analyze them. With the help of various assistance functions, it’s possible to analyze databases that have already been created, request databases according to certain characteristics, and also create reports without further ado.
By saving an MS Access database in a single file, you can easily share it with other people or transfer it to other devices. If you want to use the database in another DBMS (or you want to open other database files in MS Access), there are many interfaces at your disposal. In addition to other MS Office file formats (like Excel), you can import and export various other formats, e.g., ODBC databases (MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, etc.), HTML documents, XML files as well as Dbase files. You can easily move tables and forms from one program to another.
Disadvantages of MS Access
The software’s simplicity also has its downside. Microsoft Access’ database system is far less powerful compared to a server database system: MS Access is more suitable for implementing lean databases, which don’t have several hundred thousand entries (a server DBMS is used for this). Processing large amounts of data takes a lot of juice with MS Access — hence the long loading times. This is the downside of a file-based database: the database is searched for the complete file, meaning that the larger it is, the longer it will take. The program is also limited in capacity, depending on the size of the database: the maximum file size is 2GB. However, as long as you don’t store large amounts of images, this limitation shouldn’t be a problem. There are also significantly fewer functions available compared to an average server DBMS. In addition, there are shortcomings when several people are using the program at once, compared to a DBMS based completely on SQL: on the one hand, the SQL standard works with a much more differentiated authorization concept than MS Access, but on the other hand, the Microsoft program encounters performance problems quite quickly when a database is being used simultaneously by more than one or two people. Even with just a handful of users, Microsoft Access will start to run noticeably slower. At around ten users, the program has often reached its limit. MS Access is only available for Windows operating systems and was an integral part of the Microsoft Office Suite in the past. After introducing the Cloud version of the Office Suite, it started to be released in various Microsoft 365 plans. In addition, you can also purchase the program individually. Fortunately, users who still have a classic version of MS Office installed on their Windows computer (as opposed to the Cloud version of Microsoft 365) can still install this program. This is because Microsoft hasn’t made any major changes to the program for a long time. The current MS Access 2016, as well as the 2010 and 2013 versions, are best suited for typical database tasks.
Microsoft Access: pros and cons at a glance
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Thanks to its advanced graphical interface, MS Access is ideal for quickly creating, managing, and analyzing databases, as well as producing simple reports. | Compared to database systems that follow the client-server model, MS Access is more unstable, only really suited for smaller and/or specific database requests. It also offers much less functionality. |
| It’s suitable for any level of knowledge: both inexperienced as well as professional and experienced database managers can work with MS Access – with macros, you can combine various commands without programming knowledge and therefore automate tasks. | Because all the information is saved in only one file, MS Access has limited performance and capacity; the processing of large files slows the program down considerably and makes it unstable (usually around upwards of 1GB in data volume) — in addition, a file can’t be larger than 2GB. |
| Uncomplicated operation that is easy to learn; assistants also explain many functions. | Simultaneous use only possible with additional software (SharePoint) and only to a limited extent |
| By using a SharePoint web application, databases can be implemented as web apps. | Performance decreases noticeably when multiple users access the same database at the same time |
| Many import and export possibilities to other database systems and MS Office products via ODBC | Fee-based and only available for Windows |
| Widely used as part of Microsoft Office |
What are the free alternatives to Microsoft Access?
Microsoft Access as a desktop DBMS doesn’t provide the same opportunities that server database management systems do. But MS Access isn’t aiming to compete with programs like these: it’s because the server DBMS is on another scale among database management systems and conforms to a different target group (the operation and setup of the connected server both require SQL knowledge). Microsoft (with the MS SQL server) offers independent software in this class of database management systems while acknowledging MS Access is a product for users who are less tech savvy.
If you are looking for Microsoft Access alternatives, you have to compare the DBMS with other desktop database management systems. One of the most widely used alternative programs is FileMaker, which operates on Windows, macOS and even iOS. However, FileMaker is paid software and, therefore, not a free Microsoft Access alternative. The following programs can be used free of charge and without any prior SQL knowledge. This, in turn, distinguishes them from open source systems such as MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL. All three database management systems — just like MS Access – are not designed to work with very large chunks of data since the database is saved in a single file.
Base (available in LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice)
Both LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice are known for imitating programs from the Microsoft Office Suite and offering them as free software – Base is the equivalent alternative to Microsoft Access. The functions and characteristics of LibreOffice Base and OpenOffice Base barely differ from one another. This isn’t surprising since LibreOffice has been distributed as a spinoff to OpenOffice since 2010, and both Office Suites are based on the same source code. However, regular updates are released for LibreOffice. Base is a Java-based RDBMS that is similar to its role model, MS Access: it works with a graphical user interface and provides the same basic functions for database generation and management. Program assistants are available to help you use different functions. However, Base differs significantly from its Microsoft role model, as is the case with the LibreOffice and OpenOffice copies of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. For example, it doesn’t contain as many advanced features as MS Access and it’s somewhat more complicated to use. In particular, users who are accustomed to working with Microsoft Access are likely to encounter problems with this program (e.g., macros and reports are much more complicated). Nevertheless, Base’s functionality is amazing — especially considering that it is a completely free program. Base’s backend is based on HSQLDB (Hyper Structured Query Language Database), which can be used to back up a database as a Base file as well as a dBase file. Since an HSQL database does not allow any contending writing access, this means that multiple users cannot work on one Base database at the same time. However, many database systems with multi-user access such as MS Access, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Adabas D are supported. Being compatible with other databases is generally one of the biggest advantages of the program. Thanks to the ODBC and JDBC database interfaces, you can connect Base to many other databases. Another great advantage compared to MS Access is its availability: Base (just like Windows) is also available for macOS and GNU/Linux, Unix, as well as BSD.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Available for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, Unix, BSD | Offers fewer functions than MS Access |
| Supports the standard database interfaces ODBS and JDBC, which you can use to establish a connection with various other databases | Reports and macros are more difficult to create compared with MS Access |
| Supports many database systems, such as MS Access, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Adabas D, which can be used to set up multi-user access | Base is not user-friendly for multi-access as a desktop application (in combination with the standard HSQL database) — this is only possible by linking up with an appropriate database server |
Kexi (available in Calligra Suite)
Kexi is part of the Calligra Suite, an office software compilation similar to Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, and LibreOffice. It contains design applications such as an image processing program and a vector graphics program. The Calligra Suite developed from the now discontinued Office package KOffice, which was initially only operable on Unix-like operating systems such as Linux. Meanwhile, the Calligra Suite is also available for Windows and macOS with some limitations, but Kexi is not included in this. The DBMS is therefore only available for GNU/Linux, but a Windows version is being planned. If you use it as a pure desktop DBMS, the program will access SQLite as a database. Alternatively, you can also use an SQL database server such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, or dBase. Kexi supports the import of MS Access and dBase files. Classic DBMS tasks, such as generating and modifying tables and requests can easily be performed with the software. You can also work with forms and create reports — the latter, however, are less detailed than they would be when using Microsoft Access. However, you cannot use macros at all (this is planned for future versions). In addition, the desktop application does not provide the option for multiple people to work simultaneously in a database. Kexi’s functional range can’t keep up that of Microsoft Access, but in spite of this, various database management tasks can be managed perfectly well with this software. Kexi is a good choice if you want to create address books, product lists, and simple tables, but it isn’t a full-fledged replacement for MS Access.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| File import of MS Access and dBase possible | Offers far fewer features and fewer options than MS Access |
| Supports database server MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server, and dBase | Macros are not (yet) supported |
| No multi-user access on desktop DMBS | |
| Currently only available for GNU/Linux |
Glom
The open source software, Glom, is also a good substitute for Microsoft Access. The RDBMS is available for GNU/Linux and Windows, but the Windows version hasn’t had any further developments since 2010.
You can create a database in a short time thanks to Glom’s clever user interface and clear functions. It’s possible to request data sets via the search function and compare them with one another. The program also offers the option of creating reports. Compared to Microsoft Access or LibreOffice Base or OpenOffice Base, however, the functionality is far more limited.
PostgreSQL is used as the database format. Glom is especially suited to smaller databases and projects such as contact lists and product lists, which can be created quickly thanks to the simple means of operation. However, Glom isn’t a fully developed MS Access alternative.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| The clear user interface makes it extremely easy to use – databases can be quickly created and analyzed | Contains significantly less features than MS Access or Base |
| Current version is only available for GNU/Linux (Windows version is from 2010) | |
| Can no longer be used on desktop versions of Windows |
Summary: can free Microsoft Access alternatives replace the original?
The bottom line is that there is only really one free alternative to Microsoft Access in database management that offers roughly the same possibilities: LibreOffice/OpenOffice Base. But even with Base, you have to accept that there will be a few drawbacks compared to MS Access, especially regarding the database’s request possibilities and the general functional range. In addition, MS Access appears to be more stable and reliable: the program crashes very rarely and doesn’t need fixing often.
Glom and for the most part, Kexi, are more likely to use the database frontend concept, which additionally requires a database management system to be installed or at least collaborated with. This is useful because it solves some common problems associated with classic desktop database systems and provides a stable and multi-user database. However, the range of functions and the possibilities of the two database management systems are really quite limited, meaning that the two programs are only really suitable for a small number of tasks.
The advantage that MS Access has over the free, file-based database management systems is, among other things, the long development period that the program has already undergone as part of the MS Office Suite. Even though only a few new features have been introduced in recent versions, the software has been constantly improved since its release in the early 1990s and any errors encountered have been fixed. FileMaker is the only (fee-based) program that has a longer development history than the desktop database management system from Microsoft. If you are looking for a fully developed desktop DBMS with a great variety of functions, you should consider purchasing Microsoft Access (or the FileMaker software for macOS).
It could be that the other programs are right for you; it just depends on your requirements and your operating system. Base from LibreOffice and OpenOffice has the largest range of features out of all the free alternatives to Microsoft Access, followed by Kexi. On the other hand, Glom has the clearest frontend and is the easiest to use, thanks to its minimalistic layout. The type of software you go for can be dependent on how many user interfaces to other database systems are available or whether full multi-user features are included. The final overview presents all the important features of the three desktop database management systems that have been introduced in this article.
Overview: Microsoft Access compared with other desktop databases
| Operating system(s) | Operation simplicity | Range of functions | Import/export options of other file formats | Special features | Multi-user access | Free | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Access | Windows | ↗ | ↑ | ↗ | All-rounder among desktop DBMSs: has many features and interfaces to other databases | Yes (with limitations) | No |
| LibreOffice Base/Apache OpenOffice Base | Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux | → | ↗ | ↑ | Available for all current operating systems and offers many interfaces to other databases | Only in combination with a database server | Yes |
| Kexi | GNU/Linux | ↗ | → | ↗ | Supports various SQL databases | Only in combination with a database server | Yes |
| Glom | GNU/Linux (and Windows with limitations) | ↑ | ↘ | → | Very clear and easy-to-use DBMS, suitable for simple databases | With GNU/Linux only in combination with a database server | Yes |
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2024. МТС представил no-сode платформу для командной работы True Tabs
МТС объявил о запуске True Tabs — no-сode платформы для совместной работы. Сервис интегрируется с CRM, ERP и другими системами по API. Основной инструмент сервиса — электронные таблицы (что-то вроде MS Access или Asana). Также в нём можно создавать дашборды, формы для сбора информации и проведения опросов, диаграммы Ганта, канбан-доски и другие структуры, настраивать оповещения и анализировать данные. Сервис уже используется внутри самой МТС, например как трекер задач, который можно быстро настроить под свои нужды. Популярна функция совместного редактирования таблиц и разграничения прав доступа, что избавляет от необходимости пересылать друг другу файлы и следить за актуальностью версий. Сотрудники из sales-отдела собрали воронку продаж в сложных проектах, HR-специалисты организовали единую отчетность по подбору персонала.
2021. Bpium — low-code платформа
Есть много систем управления бизнесом: продажами, сервисом, партнерами, складом, отгрузками, финансами и т.д. Каждый продукт построен по представлению создателя. В Bpium наоборот: цифровое пространство создается из тех данных, которые используются в деятельности компании. С помощью пяти конструкторов платформы можно создать собственную корпоративную систему: конструктор объектов, конструктор рабочего места, конструктор сценариев, конструктор отчетов, конструктор прав доступа. Low-code платформа-конструктор Bpium позволяет спроектировать решение самостоятельно — с помощью компонентов для создания личной системы.
2020. В DyBase появилась фильтрация данных
Вышла новая версия программы DyBase 2.0.0.13. В данной версии были оптимизированы алгоритмы работы, но главное, это добавлена возможность фильтрации данных, этого так не хватало. Фильтрация может полностью настраивается в диалоговом режиме, без написания какого либо кода, все подробности на моей сайте. данных разных структур. DyBase это платформа на основе, которой можно построить различного рода решения для бизнеса. Можно решать задачи самого разного характера, это и ведение телефонных, пользовательских и т.п. справочников, учет хозяйственной деятельности пользователя или предприятий, работа в электронной коммерции и многое другое.
2018. В RBS360 появился конструктор карточек
Вышел новый релиз системы RBS360 18.12. Она предполагает возможность пользователям самостоятельно модифицировать, адаптировать и развивать систему непосредственно в ходе «боевой» эксплуатации с минимумом кодирования и максимумом визуальной разработки. Разработчики реализовали возможность добавление (редактирование) своих полей в любые карточки системы. В настоящее время для пользователей доступно 15 типов полей (текст, число, список, справочник, документ и т.д.). Также появилась гибкая настройка всех табличных частей для отображения информации. Пользователи самостоятельно могут решать, какие поля выводить, в каком порядке, какой ширины и т.д. Если требуется более сложная логика отображения информации, то это, как и раньше, доступно через раздел «Конфигуратор». Также, обновился финансовый блок. Появился раздел «Бюджеты». С помощью него вы можете в онлайн-режиме видеть все поступления, все расходы, а также остатки по Вашему расчетному счету или «кассе» (сейфу).
2017. Bpium — конструктор «Сделай сам» для бизнеса
Если среди многообразия существующих систем автоматизации бизнеса вы не можете найти ничего подходящего для вашей компании, либо с вас просят много денег за доработку системы, посмотрите в сторону онлайн-конструкторов бизнес-приложений, например на Bpium. Во-первых, это интересно. Хотя айтишники говорят, что бизнесмены должны заниматься бизнесом, а не айти, но потратить пару дней на создание системы для своего бизнеса — вы можете себе позволить. Кстати, так вы лучше узнаете свой бизнес. Во-вторых, как правильно говорят разработчики Bpium, это система должна подстраиваться под компанию, а не компания под систему. И, пожалуй, только вы, руководитель компании, точно знаете какая именно система вам нужна. Bpium предоставляет бесплатную версию с ограничением на 1Гб для файлов и без автоматизации процессов. Платная версия начинается от 1000 руб/мес.
2017. Онлайн-конструктор баз данных и бизнес-приложений GetReport стал бесплатным на 12 пользователей
В 2014 году Forrester Research, международное аналитическое агентство, которое занимается исследованиями рынка информационных технологий, начал отслеживать быстро растущую категорию программного обеспечения, которую обозначили как Low-code development platform. Это платформы, которые обеспечивают быстрое создание бизнес-приложений с минимальным ручным кодированием и минимальными первоначальными инвестициями в настройку, обучение и развертывание. На 2017 год состояние рынка Low-code платформ оценивается в 3,887 миллиарда долларов, прогнозируется, что к 2020 году он вырастет до 15,478 миллиардов долларов. (читать далее) ***
2016. Руна — конструктор для создания бизнес-приложения своими руками
Если вы просмотрели тысячи бизнес-приложений в наших рейтингах и не нашли такого, которое подходит вашей компании, то, возможно, вам будет легче сделать его самостоятельно. К счастью, сейчас для этого не обязательно учить языки программирования — нужно просто понимание того, что вы хотите и умение пользоваться визуальным редактором. Именно так работает конструктор Руна. Это что-то вроде Microsoft Access: вы создаете таблицы с нужными полями в базе данных, формы для ввода и отображения данных и вспомогательные справочники. Зато конструктор Руна — более простой, бесплатный, интегрируется с 1С и работает на Windows, Linux и Android. Платить нужно, только если вы хотите сделать многопользовательскую систему, с которой пользователи смогут работать через интернет. В этом случае — стоимость составит 250 руб/мес за пользователя (т.к. синхронизация будет осуществляться через сервер Руны).
2010. qFlow — SaaS сервис для создания и обработки форм
Компания QSOFT, разработчик сервисов qTrack и qCRM, запустила очередной проект из серии “q”. Это qFlow — сервис для быстрого создания web-форм и обработки результатов. Конечно, сервисы, которые позволяют чайникам создавать web-формы, которые легко вставляются на сайт и отсылают введенные данные на заданный email или складывают их в файлик — уже давно существуют, в т.ч. бесплатные. Например, формы в Google Docs. Но qFlow пошел дальше — он умеет не только пересылать данные заполненной формы на email и складывать их в табличку. В qFlow можно создать автоматизированные бизнес-процессы обработки введенных данных — как это делается в корпоративных системах электронного документооборота. По каждой заполненной форме в qFlow создается страничка, на которой происходит совместная работа и обсуждение введенного запроса. ***
Android
Web-Based
Windows
iPhone
iPad
Mac
Linux
Единовременная лицензия
Бесплатная пробная версия
Бесплатно
Открытый исходный код
Подписка
MySQL
Бесплатно
Открытый исходный код
Бесплатная пробная версия
Подписка
75
Реляционная система управления базами данных (RDBMS), которая позволяет компаниям хранить, управлять и защищать данные для облачных приложений. Предоставляет маскирование данных, много-документные транзакции, обнаружение вторжений и оповещения.
PostgreSQL
Бесплатно
Бесплатная пробная версия
Единовременная лицензия
249
PostgreSQL — это мощная система объектно-реляционных баз данных с открытым исходным кодом.
Microsoft SQL Server
Бесплатно
Открытый исходный код
Бесплатная пробная версия
Единовременная лицензия
74
SQL Server delivers on Microsoft’s Data Platform vision by helping your organization manage your…
SQLite
Открытый исходный код
Единовременная лицензия
266
SQLite is a software library that implements a self-contained, serverless, zero-configuration…
MariaDB
Бесплатно
Открытый исходный код
Бесплатная пробная версия
Подписка
118
MariaDB — это система управления реляционными базами данных с открытым исходным кодом, использующая технологию InnoDB.
124
Самая популярная база данных для современных приложений
Airtable
Бесплатно
Бесплатная пробная версия
Подписка
69
Airtable — это онлайн-платформа для работы с базами данных, которая сочетает в себе функциональность электронных таблиц и возможности баз данных. С ее помощью пользователи могут создавать и управлять различными типами данных, такими как задачи, клие…
Knack
Бесплатная пробная версия
Подписка
16
Простой онлайн-база данных и конструктор веб-приложений
7
Онлайн реляционные базы данных с таблицами, представлениями, веб-формами, автоматизациями и рабочими процессами.
5
MDB Tool — лучший ресурс для просмотра баз данных Microsoft Access на Mac
Microsoft Access
60
Microsoft Access — это система управления базами данных для создания и ведения бизнес-приложений. Позволяет создавать кастомные базы данных, автоматизировать процессы с VBA и интегрировать данные из разных источников, обеспечивая масштабируемость и безопасность благодаря поддержке SQL Server и Azure SQL.
Microsoft Access — это система управления базами данных для создания и ведения бизнес-приложений. Позволяет создавать кастомные базы данных, автоматизировать процессы с VBA и интегрировать данные из разных источников, обеспечивая масштабируемость и безопасность благодаря поддержке SQL Server и Azure SQL.
Microsoft Access Платформы
Windows
Microsoft Access Видео и скриншоты
Microsoft Access Функции
Database Management
Web-Database
Data-management
Consistent UI
Real time collaboration
Лучшие аналоги Microsoft Access
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