Microsoft Access Alternatives

Some history

Microsoft Office is almost 35 years old – it was launched in November 1990. Not many software packages have enjoyed such longevity. However, the Microsoft bundle hasn’t stayed the same over the years. Some elements get added, while others get dropped. One component of the productivity suite that is still in there is Microsoft Access.

Access debuted in 1992. Microsoft had struggled to produce a desktop DBMS for years and fast-tracked the development process by buying up one of the sector’s market leaders, FoxPro. Although Microsoft continued to market and develop FoxPro, it was able to pick at some of the code and services of its new acquisition to bump-start its own database engine project. The transfusion was successful.

Access rode on the success of Windows. The package’s main rivals failed to spot the rise in this operating system and didn’t release Windows versions fast enough. Microsoft also killed off FoxPro to make room in the market for MS Access. The success of the tool increased when it was included in Microsoft Office in 1995.

The tool then became part of the Microsoft Office evolutionary pipeline with a requirement to get overhauled regularly in synchronization with the development of other Office components. This really took Access to the next level.

Microsoft Access key developments timeline:

  • 1992: Microsoft Access 1.0 was released in November as part of Office Professional suite for Windows. It was a competitive product to Paradox and dBase.
  • 1993: Access 1.1 improved compatibility with include the Access Basic programming language.
  • 1994: Access 2.0 was released in conjunction with Office 4.3 Professional.
  • 1995: Microsoft Access 7.0 was released as part of Office 95. This version transitioned Access from Access Basic to VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) in order to be consistent with other Office applications.
  • 1997: Access 97 (version 8.0) was released with Office 97.
  • 1999-2003: Access 2000, 2002, & 2003 were released as part of the Office 2000 and Office XP suites, including new features like backup and restore database tools.
  • 2007: Access 2007, part of Office 2007, was released with a new interface and new data types.
  • 2010: Access 2010 was released with Office 2010, introducing web databases that could be published to SharePoint.
  • 2013: Access 2013 was launched, emphasizing online access and collaboration by creating web apps.
  • 2016-2019: Access 2016 and 2019 were released as part of Office 2016 and Access 2019 respectively, offering few major updates, instead focusing on stability and improvements over sweeping changes.
  • 2023 and Beyond: Continued updates and improvements to Access are now delivered through the Office 365 subscription service, with updates focusing on integration, cloud connectivity, and data analysis improvements.

Microsoft Access Database Deployment and Issues

One problem with Microsoft Access is that it has its own file format that isn’t compatible with any other system. While Microsoft adopted an OpenDocument Format-compatible XML-based file structure for Excel and Word, it left the old file structure of Access alone.

The .docx and .xmlx file formats of Word and Excel have become the universal touchstone of file types in their respective application fields. However, the .accdb format used by Access never caught the public’s imagination and other developers of rival productivity suites weren’t interested in building Access file compatibility into their desktop database applications.

A common use of Microsoft Access is to keep it as a front end to more commercially successful DBMSs. For example, Access can attach to an Oracle database, so business applications written in Access can connect through to data held in an Oracle database. Access can also front for SQL Server and Sybase. However, this repurposing of the Access application feels a little like a half-life. Is this the last resort for Access, acting as a skin to more successful RDBMSs?

Microsoft Access Screenshot
Microsoft Access Screenshot

As the demand for Access programming language skills lessens, fewer programmers bother to learn the system. This begins a cycle of decline where the lack of an available developer skills pool puts project managers off from using an environment to develop a new product. So, the shortage of programmers with data management skills creates a shortage of projects in that language and the lack of demand for those skills makes mastering that language a poor career move. Thus, the skills pool shrinks further and the cycle of decline continues. Microsoft Access could be following COBOL, FoxPro, and SQLBase down the path to oblivion.

MS Access Faced an Uncertain Future

Microsoft couldn’t help but notice the meteoric fall of Access from its heights as the most widely used desktop database system in 2011 to being an embarrassing left-over in 2017. The company announced in November 2017, close to the application’s 25th birthday, that it intended to retire Microsoft Access from its online productivity suite.

The official shutdown date for Access Web Apps and Web Databases in Office 365 was set for April 2018. Despite declaring the removal of Access from Office 365, Microsoft quietly changed its mind. Updates continued to appear – the latest version of Access in Office 365 was released in September 2020. Also, Microsoft continued to develop the desktop database software, releasing Access 2019 in September 2018 as part of Office 2019. Microsoft has a page where you can check which version of MS Access you are using. Depending on the version of Access you have deployed, you can check on updates and new features as well.

The lingering purpose of Access lies in the self-build market. However, what small business operator will bother creating a contacts database in Access or setting up an invoice form when there are plenty of ready-made invoice generators available on the web? Who is going to create a recipe database for the kitchen when plenty of online cooking sites already make those recipes available anytime on-demand?

The Best Microsoft Access Alternatives

Think of a situation where someone might still need to use Access and just as quickly, you can come up with a better alternative that is already available. If you can’t, we’ve come up with a shortlist of alternatives to Microsoft Access. In addition, we list recommendations from you, the user.

Our methodology for selecting a Microsoft Access alternative

We reviewed the market for database systems like access and tested tools based on the following criteria:

  • A system that can be run on-site on an endpoint with an option for cloud-based services
  • A unit that forms part of a productivity suite
  • An easy-to-use interface
  • Built-in or online guides for usage
  • The ability to open Microsoft Access files
  • Nice to have the system for free or at least a free trial
  • A good tool for business that is worth paying for or a free tool

1. OpenOffice derivatives

OpenOffice presented a serious challenge to Microsoft Office. It contained all of the elements anyone wanted from Microsoft Office but was free. Microsoft toughed it out and finally, the free OpenOffice failed to provide enough investment to keep it up to date. The bugs in the system eventually made it a security risk and the free alternative to Office withered.

OpenOffice still exists today, though, as an open-source project, its code was available and a lot of people made their own versions. In most cases, the “forks” of OpenOffice used the same component names for the individual applications in the suite. The OpenOffice equivalent of Access is called Base. Base has its own file format — .odb – and it isn’t able to open .accdb files created in Access. Base isn’t any better than Access, except that it is free. There are still versions of OpenOffice available for free.

Pros:

  • Completely free and open-source software
  • Includes similar tools you’d find in the paid version of Microsoft Office
  • Now has many variants to choose from

Cons:

  • User interface feels outdated and clunky, especially when compared to options like Google Docs
  • The timeline for bug fixes is completely dependent on the open-source community
  • Base is not compatible with .accdb files, meaning you can’t work cross-platform

Apache OpenOffice

Apache OpenOffice

The original OpenOffice got foisted off on the Apache Foundation. The Foundation initially got some support from IBM who lent the project to a development team that rewrote it to be the same and IBM’s Lotus Symphony. Since IBM withdrew, the project has shriveled. Base is still a component of Apache OpenOffice and it is completely free to use.


2023 Update: Despite having a lower development budget since the departure of IBM, Apache is still maintaining the code for this suite. There were three update releases in 2022 and two in 2023, so the system is still being kept fresh.

Key Features:

  • Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS
  • Can connect to an Access database
  • Integrates with other OpenOffice tools

Unique feature

Apache OpenOffice was the original OpenOffice suite that challenged Microsoft’s stranglehold on the productivity suite market. Although the suite has been through a turbulent history, it is still available and still free.

Why do we recommend it?

OpenOffice Base has templates and wizards that make creating databases and forms really easy. This system won’t create good-looking Web interfaces, so it would be better for the creation of internal business systems rather than client-facing products.

2021 Update: Despite having a lower development budget since the departure of IBM, Apache is still maintaining the code for this suite. There were three update releases during 2021, so the system is still being kept fresh.

Unique feature

The Base module of Apache OpenOffice is a very close match to Microsoft Access. This unit can be combined with other elements in the OpenOffice suite, enabling you to create useful applications from the productivity suite.

Who is it recommended for?

OpenOffice Base is a great choice for those who want to escape the clutches of the big software corporations. This tool is also good for developers who like to make their own systems for quick, convenient apps rather than systems for clients.

Pros:

  • Slightly better interface than OpenOffice
  • Completely free to use
  • Relatively stable, making it a solid alternative to Microsoft Access for smaller offices

Cons:

  • Is borderline abandonware, and is no longer supported by the developer community
  • Lacks cloud storage backups

LibreOffice

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a clone of OpenOffice and ended up being more successful. The suite includes Base, which is a good free alternative to Microsoft Access. It has its latest versions for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android.

Key Features:

  • Mobile app for Android and iOS
  • Access controls option
  • Can use Access as a back-end

Why do we recommend it?

As LibreOffice Base is almost identical to its Apache OpenOffice counterpart, the arguments in favor of this tool are the same as well. Both of these OpenOffice versions are free to use, so you could download both and compare them yourself to decide which is best for you.

Unique feature

LibreOffice is a fork of Apache OpenOffice and the Base module of both are almost identical.

Who is it recommended for?

Like ApacheOffice, the LibreOffice system is ideal for those who want to get away from paying the big software corporations. The tool is great for personal use and the development of in-house tools.

Pros:

  • Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and even Android
  • Completely free
  • Simple interface that gets the job done

Cons:

  • Essentially a clone of OpenOffice with minor improvements
  • Lacks cloud storage support and automatic backups

OxygenOffice Professional

OxygenOffice

OxygenOffice Professional is a free, open-source clone of OpenOffice, which claims to be compatible with the original, Apache run version of the suite and offers extra templates and fonts. However, the code for OxygenOffice Professional hasn’t been updated since May 2013, which means it is seriously out of date.

Key Features:

  • Runs on Windows and Linux
  • Source code available
  • Multiple language packs

Unique feature

The pack includes a large clipart library.

Why do we recommend it?

OxygenOffice Professional is almost indistinguishable from the OpenOffice and LibreOffice systems. However, it has full compatibility with the other two OpenOffice flavors and it has an extensive template library that is worth a look.

Who is it recommended for?

OxygenOffice Professional Base is fully compatible with Microsoft Access, so you could port your old Access projects over to this system to keep them under development for free.

Pros:

  • An alternative to OpenOffice.org
  • Includes all the same modules as OpenOffice.org
  • VBA support

Cons:

  • The look and feel of the tools is a little dated
  • Hasn’t been updated since 2013

2. Google Forms

Google Forms

Google Forms is a good option if you are looking for a straightforward, spreadsheet-based database system that runs online. It is even possible to construct Web pages with this tool and it is available for free.

Key Features:

  • Integrates with other Google Workspace tools
  • Easy to set up
  • Can front for a MySQL database

Unique feature

Google Forms is part of the Google Workspace suite and so is frequently updated and professionally supported. The system is hosted on the cloud for free.

Why do we recommend it?

Google Workspace is becoming a major rival of Microsoft 365 and, as such, Google Forms is the Google answer to Access. Although backing the system with a spreadsheet is not quite as good as creating relational tables, you can fully model Access’s structure by integrating forms with a MySQL back-end – all for free.

The interface of Google Forms is very easy to use and anyone can create a small database application without any technical knowledge. Check out this YouTube video on how to create a database with Google tools.

Who is it recommended for?

Google Forms is surprisingly powerful despite being very easy to work with. It is particularly useful for HR applications, such as application forms and test creation.

Pros:

  • Available for all platforms, and accessible through nearly all browsers
  • Supports cloud storage and Work Offline
  • Feature numerous helpful templates
  • Is arguable easier to learn and use than Excel, especially when it comes to creating formulas
  • One of the best interfaces among similar tools

Cons:

  • Some features like Work Offline are only available via Chrome browser
  • Google is not the most privacy-focused company and may sell your data as a part of their business model

3. Calligra Office

Calligra Office

KDE produces Calligra Office, an open-source project that is free to use. The database system in Calligra Office is called Kexi. It uses the OpenDocument format, .odb as its native file type. Calligra Office installs on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and BSD Unix.

Key Features:

  • Attractive look and feel
  • Easy to learn
  • Part of the KDE Plasma Desktop suite

Unique feature

Calligra Office’s KEXI enables the creation of databases and forms, which makes it a good choice for the creation of applications and Web pages.

Why do we recommend it?

Kexi combines the creation of a database with the design of frontends and it is able to produce great utilities for on-premises use. This tool is a close competitor to Microsoft Access but it doesn’t have a cloud version.

Who is it recommended for?

As it is free to use, Caligra Office Kexi is an obvious choice who don’t want to pay for office tools. The system can produce on-device apps that could, in theory, be networked. The system is good for creating local databases, such as a stock list for a bricks and mortar store.

Pros:

  • Open-source transparent software
  • The database utilizes the .odb file type, which is a universal standard that works with many cross-platform tools
  • Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and BSD Unix

Cons:

  • Antiquated user interface looks like it’s from Windows NT
  • Lacks automatic backup or cloud storage options

4. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is an online application creation environment that is based around the development of Access-like databases. The development environment includes a guide, with staged tasks that help you create a database and screens and reports based on it. This is a professional solution, however, there is also a free tier. The two paid plans are charged for by subscription. You can assess the paid editions of Zoho Creator with a 15-day free trial.

Key Features:

  • Individual user accounts
  • Good for creating applications and Web pages
  • Part of the Zoho One productivity suite

Why do we recommend it?

Zoho Creator is an impressive online tool for creating applications based on small databases that matches Access functionality very well. This tool can be used to create Web-based applications for intranet services.

Unique feature

Zoho Creator is a very sophisticated online tool that goes beyond the database creation capabilities of an Access alternative by including a method to orchestrate other tools and create an automated workflow.

Who is it recommended for?

Systems administrators with a yearning to develop would really enjoy tinkering with this tool. It is great for creating system inventory databases or document indexes. The interface creator can connect to other databases for the backend, so you aren’t limited to using databases defined in Zoho Creator.

Pros:

  • Has one of the best user interfaces, comparable to Google Drive
  • Cloud-based hosting allows for automatic backups and offline working
  • Subscription pricing makes it a flexible option for nearly any size team

Cons:

  • Would like to see a longer trial period for testing
  • Lacks in-depth user management features that would be critical for large enterprises

5. Bubble

Bubble logo

Bubble is a good alternative for those who use Access to interface to other DBMSs. This is a codeless website development tool with the ability to create data forms for data entry and query. The company offers a hosting service as well. You can design a site or a page and host it on the Bubble servers, setting up new databases or linking back to your existing databases.

Key Features:

  • Based online
  • Integrates data with document apps
  • Creates Web pages

Unique feature

Bubble provides an essay way to create applications and Web pages without any programming skills.

Why do we recommend it?

Bubble is more of a website creator than a database system. You can connect to other DBMSs and build screens based on available tables and columns. So, set up a database elsewhere first and then work on the front end with Bubble.

Who is it recommended for?

Bubble is a great option for eCommerce entrepreneurs that want to create websites quickly but don’t want to bother contracting a website designer and don’t have development skills. The only drawback to the self-starter website owner scenario is that you need to know how to create a database as well.

Pros:

  • Has both freeware and paid options available
  • Interface is barebones but easy to learn with a bit of time
  • Offers data hosting as an option

Cons:

  • Lacks user management features for larger teams
  • Could use more/better team related features for collaboration

This is a paid service but there is a free version. The free Bubble will have “Built with Bubble” printed on your page.

Users’ Recommendations

This article has attracted a lot of community attention with a number of commenters recommending alternative packages to Microsoft Access. We list the most common ones here:

  • Claris FileMaker This tool is provided by a division of Apple and it provides a database system with a GUI front-end that enables entire apps and Web pages to be constructed from a database design. Claris also offers a consultancy service to design solutions. Design is implemented through templates and a drag-and-drop visual editor with add-ons that provide features and functions. Runs on Windows and macOS and is available for a 45-day free trial.
  • Wisej This rapid development framework provides all of the elements you need to create a front-end plus all back-end services for a new application or website. The design tool is based on Visual Studio and you can write code in C# and VB.NET. However, the designer includes widgets that let you place element icons on a design layout and define their behavior through properties, which makes creating systems very easy. There is a free version available and the paid editions are available for a 30-day free trial. Runs on Windows.
  • Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps) Developed by Microsoft as a potential replacement for Access, this suite of app development, business intelligence, and connectivity tools enables developers to create complicated applications for Web deployment through a coordinated suite of tools, such as Power BI, which operates as an ERP. The core development tool in the package is Power Apps which enables the creation of front-ends and linked back-end systems, such as databases with almost no programming requirements. The Power Apps environment installs on Windows and you can get it for a 30-day free trial.
  • Airtable This cloud-based development system creates business systems that are based on a data management system that is a cross between a spreadsheet and a database. You design a data structure and then produce a form as a front-end to it. Rather than using this system for a website, you would create presentations on operational data, marketing campaign trackers, recruitment management interfaces, or project management systems with this service. You can access the system on a 14-day free trial.
  • Monday.com This is an application development suite that is hosted on the cloud. Users of this system create team management, project management, collaboration utilities, and Web applications with the environment without needing to write any code. This is a visual editing service, supported by templates, that constructs back-end supporting structures, such as data storage services to match the requirements of the application under development. Finished screens for the service can integrate media panels and generate reports in a range of formats, including PDF. You can try out Monday.com with a 14-day free trial.

Should you leave Access behind?

If you were depressed about the decline of Microsoft Access, then hopefully, this review of the status of the package and alternatives to it has given you some cheer. The way forward out of your Access depression is to try out some other database systems.

The free alternatives on this list show you that you shouldn’t have paid for Access in the first place. One problem you will face is migrating your data out of the .accdb format. However, you can export data in CSV format and import that into a new database created with any DBMS.

Microsoft Access FAQs

What is replacing Microsoft Access?

Microsoft doesn’t have any plans to replace Microsoft Access while also planning to remove the application from Office 365. Therefore, Access users will need to look at alternative systems to run their desktop databases, such as LibreOffice Base, Zoho Creator, or Bubble.

What is the difference between SQL and Microsoft Access?

SQL stands for “structured query language.” It is a generic language, originally invented by IBM, for accessing data in relational databases. Since the creation of SQL in the early 1970s, several proprietary adaptations have been formulated. Microsoft Access uses a version of SQL that is very close to the original, definitive language.

Is Visual Basic still used today?

Visual Basic went through a transformation in 2002 when it was integrated into the .NET framework. For a while, it was called Visual Basic .NET (or VB.NET) but now has gone back to the Visual Basic name. Visual Basic is still supported by Microsoft and is still being developed. The latest version is Visual Basic 2019, which is also referred to as VB 16.0. This is sold as part of the Visual Studio 2019 package.

Does Google have a version of Microsoft Access?

The closest Google Cloud has to Access is Google Bigtable, a NoSQL big data system. This is not included in G-Suite.

Is Microsoft Access going away?

The current status is that Microsoft is fully committed to continuing development and support of Microsoft Access.

Does Office 365 include Microsoft Access?

Microsoft Access is part of the Microsoft 365 Office Suite for Microsoft 365 Family, Microsoft 365 Personal, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business, and Microsoft 365 Business Standard.

What is replacing Microsoft Access?

Microsoft announced in 2017 that it would stop supporting and developing Access, however, the outcry that announcement provoked meant that the company cancelled that plan. Now, Microsoft doesn’t have any plans to replace Microsoft Access. The service is still available to download and run locally. Strong alternatives to Access include LibreOffice Base, Zoho Creator, or Bubble.

Is Microsoft Access going away?

Although Microsoft once considered discontinuing Access, the company now intends to continue supporting it. The tool isn’t included as an online app in the Office 365/Microsoft 365 productivity suite. However, subscribers can download the Access software from the Office 365 console and run it on a PC.