Microsoft Access

C#, ASP.NET, SQL server
Included with our office 365 licenses

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 provides templates that make the work easier. I am fully satisfied with the software.

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 knowledge of data manipulation.

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 need for creating and designing a database at as low cost as possible is a crucial deal, Microsoft Access is the best in business. Also, it is included in the Microsoft Office Suite along with other office solutions which provide a one-point solution to many problems.

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 Microsoft Access stacks up against them.

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.

NA

[Selected Microsoft Access for] employee learning simplicity, attractive graphical environment and features of Microsoft 365 with responsive Microsoft support.

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

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 point, and it is very easy to use even for beginners.

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.

SharePoint lists
MySQL

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 for collecting new data because it lives online and has a much lower learning curve. I've successfully trained more people to use Airtable than Access.

NA

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.

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.

There have always been a variety of different database products in the last 33 years but for ease of use and code that is similar to other Microsoft products, Access is a good fit. A lot of people will try to use an Excel spreadsheet to do some of the things that could be easier in Access.

We tried Salesforce, which was expensive and not as customizable as Access. QuickBase also was pricey compared to already having an MS license with the existing package, and QuickBase was not very intuitive. The other option was an open source version which was less intuitive than any of the other options. By far Salesforce was the most intuitive, however, Access is more customizable and gave more bang for the buck once we became well-versed in how to use it.

You save money: Microsoft Access is hundreds of dollars cheaper than other larger systems; offering similar functionalities and usage.

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 enterprise-level databases, MS Access has all the necessary tools for a complete database application development such as form and report designer, programming modules and macros. No other database application tool comes close to offering all-in-one product. You often have to use third party products to meet your needs of developing a professional GUI.

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 Access was the best tool because it existed on my laptop from Day 1 on the job so instead of configuring anything new I simply got into using it right away and that was that.

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 methods for presenting data. It needs a separate application to do so.

Access is comparable to other database programs.