Microsoft Access vs. REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft Access
Score 7.4 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Access is a database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools.
$139.99
per PC
REDCap
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
REDCap is a secure web application designed by Vanderbilt University to build and manage online surveys and databases in a research setting for universities. While REDCap can be used to collect virtually any type of data in any environment (including compliance with 21 CFR Part 11, FISMA, HIPAA, and GDPR), it is specifically geared to support online and offline data capture for research studies and operations.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft AccessREDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
Editions & Modules
Microsoft Access
$139.99
per PC
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft AccessREDCap
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft AccessREDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
Considered Both Products
Microsoft Access
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is used independently of Microsoft's Office suite (also in use) at our company - the usual applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. and does not really overlap. Microsoft Access was selected as a simple, functional inventory database based on ease of data …
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft excel is great but for much smaller data organization. Microsoft Access is more functional for larger more robust projects.
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is great integration with Microsoft Word templates such as reports and name tags.
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is a superb software in database management system. I have been using it for many years without any hesitations. The software is making it different from other software with its awesome features. The software is cost effective for the organisation. It also …
Chose Microsoft Access
Excel is a fantastic - robust application that can do so much so easily. Its easy to train and understand. However - excel does not provide a reporting function and that is typically where we will suggest a move to [Microsoft] Access. [Microsoft] Access requires a little more …
Chose Microsoft Access

With [Microsoft] Access I am able to quickly create simple database driven solutions with built in UI and reporting in one tool. Advanced coding is not necessary and the tool guides you through building out. Opponents for a robust, end-to/end product.

Chose Microsoft Access
Having used Snowflake, I can definitely say that both of these tools are very easy to use and value for money. Although for me, the aspects where Microsoft Access stacks up are its low cost and usability. Snowflake is good with its cloud-based system but for startups where the …
Chose Microsoft Access
I haven't really used another database product other than Microsoft Access since the mid-90s. I don't even remember which program I did use, but needless to say, it did not have as much functionality nor was it as user friendly as databases today. So I really can't say how …
Chose Microsoft Access
Crystal is easier for report writing, but isn't a database solution. Salesforce is lovely, but much more expensive than an old copy of Microsoft Office. For a small budget, [Microsoft] Access was really the only viable option. I only wish it was easier to write complex reports.
Chose Microsoft Access
[Selected Microsoft Access for] employee learning simplicity, attractive graphical environment and features of Microsoft 365 with responsive Microsoft support.
Chose Microsoft Access
Visual FoxPro is a discontinued software, and no longer has support. Also, very few people still use it, or ever know how to use it. Excel is very popular, but [Microsoft] Access can do things like data joins much easier and faster
Chose Microsoft Access
Although SQL is a full-blown platform for heavy database management, Microsoft Access serves the purpose perfectly for small and mid-scale enterprises. It is also perfect for people just getting started with database management. The graphical user interface is a major plus …
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is better for large files and backlogs than Excel because it can handle the workload. Excel is great as well, but filtering and searching is limited, and it can crash rather easily. You don't see those problems with Access.
Chose Microsoft Access
We've actually started to use both of these programs. There are pros and cons to both.
Microsoft Access is best for linking two sets of data that already have a common shared field (i.e. both sets of data include a student ID number, social security number, etc)
Airtable is best …
Chose Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Access is great for local low code, relational database applications where users are creating, reading, updating, and deleting data (CRUD)..
  • Useful mostly for locally stored database and not network or cloud-based applications
  • Easy-to-user interface makes it hard to …
Chose Microsoft Access
SharePoint is good for simple data structures, use of workflow, integration with AD, etc. But SharePoint does not support fully relational data or complex reporting, whereas Access absolutely does.
Chose Microsoft Access
Being a similar "Windows application" it's easier to start to use as part of Office. Also, the GUI capabilities are much more advanced than other high-performance databases.
Chose Microsoft Access
Unlike enterprise-level databases, MS Access doesn't require setting up a complex server environment with user security schemes. It's an excellent tool for small scale databases where purchasing and setting up a product like MS SQL Server could be an overkill. Unlike …
Chose Microsoft Access
Tableau is not even a 'switch-out' tool, it's for visualization so it's not a fair comparison. Against other databasing tools, MySQL is still my favorite may be simply due to being a creature of comfort because that's where I first learned to manage DB. However, Microsoft …
Chose Microsoft Access
MS SQL is a more powerful tool but I love the reporting feature in MS Access. MS Excel is useful for complex calculations but to me, MS Access helps me organize that data. InfoPath is similar to MS Access in that you can create forms for data entry, but it does not include …
REDCap
Chose REDCap
REDCap surveys is designed according to HIPAA rules, FISMA, 21 CFR part 11, ICH-Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and GDPR, thereby making it more reliable for this market niche.
Chose REDCap
We have not used other products like REDCap. So far, REDCap is our standard research data collection and analysis platform.
Chose REDCap
SurveyMonkey and Google Forms have similar features for surveys but they lack the form options and user interface. They are also not HIPPA compliant so we are not able to collect any identifying information which is usually an issue in research when we are tracking …
Features
Microsoft AccessREDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
Relational Databases
Comparison of Relational Databases features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Access
7.7
Ratings
5% below category average
REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
-
Ratings
ACID compliance7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Database monitoring8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Database locking8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Encryption7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Disaster recovery7.70 Ratings00 Ratings
Flexible deployment8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Multiple datatypes8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Microsoft AccessREDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
Small Businesses
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.1 out of 10

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.1 out of 10

No answers on this topic

Enterprises
SAP IQ
SAP IQ
Score 6.0 out of 10

No answers on this topic

All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Microsoft AccessREDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
Likelihood to Recommend
7.3
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
7.6
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
6.4
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
5.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft AccessREDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Access can be easily implemented with training. It doesn't require expert level skill for basic reporting functions - but can be scaled to a complex database with sophisticated users. Its appropriate to consider if excel needs to be used to create reports, or if there are data entry needs - with corresponding reports.
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Our main use has been for research studies. It allows HIPPA compliant data collection with a vast amount of customization options, branching logic to keep collection clean, and validation to ensure data collected can easily be analyzed. We can send surveys to participants in between visits and use forms for in person visits where a staff member is collecting the information
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Pros
  • Generates information about department events, services, orders, etc. quickly and in report form.
  • Easy to design forms and reports with drag and drop components. You don't need to know coding.
  • The ability to link tables and queries to get all the info needed for forms and reports
  • Forms and reports are easy to customize and edit.
  • Easily report your data grouped and sorted by any field
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  • I appreciate the ability to add/change items within a field that may be beneficial or detrimental to the patient.
  • I like the option to sort by year in the main information hub, as well as put specific dates of consultations & meetings within a patient profile.
  • Very easy learn and use!
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Cons
  • Generally high learning curve for new users. Especially if they are not comfortable with technology.
  • Desktop only program; not available in web-format like other O365 products
  • Fewer experienced users, means it's a lot of self-teaching and troubleshooting when you run into an issue
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  • REDCap is generally the best app for public health and clinical trials for both the academia and for-profit organization. However it is poorly marketed much effort is placed on the academia side though organizations like the pharmaceuticals, hospitals, insurance etc., would be willing especially when they get hear about it.
  • REDCap needs to work on the user interface. It's kinda boring especially when designing surveys and when navigating for surveys
  • The FAQ must be shortened , sometimes the videos associated with FAQ seem long.
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Likelihood to Renew
I and the rest of my team will renew our Microsoft Access in the future because we use and maintain many different applications and databases created using Microsoft Access so we will need to maintain them in the future. Additionally, it is a standard at our place of work so it is at $0 cost to us to use. Another reason for renewing Microsoft Access is that we just don' t have the resources needed to extend into a network of users so we need to remain a single-desktop application at this time.
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No answers on this topic
Usability
Microsoft Access is easy to use. It is compatible with spreadsheets. It is a very good data management tool. There is scope to save a large amount of data in one place. For using this database, one does not need much training, can be shared among multiple users. This database has to sort and filtering features which seem to be very useful.
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It is very interesting to me especially that it meets all my needs. The libraries makes the job even much easier, since you can just make a few adjustments to the appropriate template chosen
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Reliability and Availability
I don't think the program has ever failed me. It is one of those programs where there is always a solution if you know where to look.
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
While I have never contacted Microsoft directly for product support, for some reason there's a real prejudice against MS Access among most IT support professionals. They are usually discouraging when it comes to using MS Access. Most of this is due to their lack of understanding of MS Access and how it can improve one's productivity. If Microsoft invested more resources towards enhancing and promoting the use of MS Access then maybe things would be different.
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They respond almost immediately to queries
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Implementation Rating
there is no key idea, since it is easy to implement Microsoft Access
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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Microsoft Access is used independently of Microsoft's Office suite (also in use) at our company - the usual applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. and does not really overlap. Microsoft Access was selected as a simple, functional inventory database based on ease of data entry, search functionality and avoiding the need for a separate ERP module.
Read full review
REDCap surveys is designed according to HIPAA rules, FISMA, 21 CFR part 11, ICH-Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and GDPR, thereby making it more reliable for this market niche.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • Microsoft Access is very low in cost as compared to its competitors and provides value for money spent.
  • Comes with Office Suite for your whole organization. Easy to install and use.
  • Many people had to shift to Windows in order to use those as there is no Mac version.
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  • It facilities the research
  • It ensures HIPPA compliance
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ScreenShots