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Microsoft 365 VS Microsoft Access

Compare Microsoft 365 VS Microsoft Access and see what are their differences

Microsoft 365 logo Microsoft 365

Boost your productivity with reliable access anywhere with services like email, calendar, file sharing, meetings, instant messaging, and Office Online

Microsoft Access logo Microsoft Access

Microsoft Access is a DBMS that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface.
  • Microsoft 365 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-16
  • Microsoft Access Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

Microsoft 365 features and specs

  • Accessibility
    Office 365 allows users to access their documents and applications from virtually any device with an internet connection, promoting remote and collaborative work.
  • Automatic Updates
    Software updates are automatically rolled out, ensuring that users always have the latest features, security patches, and improvements without needing to manually install them.
  • Integrated Productivity Tools
    The suite includes a wide range of integrated tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive, which streamline workflow and enhance productivity.
  • Cloud Storage
    Microsoft 365 provides cloud storage options through OneDrive and SharePoint, offering users scalable storage solutions and easy file sharing capabilities.
  • Security Features
    The platform includes advanced security features like data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security updates to protect sensitive information.
  • Collaboration
    Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, with real-time editing and commenting features, which enhances team collaboration and productivity.
  • Scalability
    Different subscription plans are available, allowing businesses of all sizes to choose the appropriate plan based on their needs and scale as they grow.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft 365

  • Subscription Model
    Office 365 operates on a subscription-based model, which may become expensive over time compared to a one-time purchase of traditional Office software.
  • Internet Dependency
    Some features require an internet connection to function properly. Inconsistent or poor internet access can hinder productivity and limit accessibility.
  • Complexity
    With a vast array of tools and features, some users may find it challenging to navigate and utilize the full potential of the platform without adequate training.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Storing data on cloud services can raise privacy and compliance concerns, especially for organizations dealing with sensitive information.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There may be compatibility issues with older versions of Microsoft Office and other third-party applications, potentially causing disruptions in workflow.
  • Cost
    For small businesses or individual users, the cost of the subscription can be a significant expense, particularly when considering ongoing payments.

Microsoft Access features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Microsoft Access offers a familiar, user-friendly interface similar to other Microsoft Office products, making it easy for users to get started without extensive training.
  • Integration with Other Microsoft Products
    Access integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft Office applications like Excel, Word, and Outlook, facilitating data import/export and connectivity.
  • Rapid Development
    It allows for quick database creation and application development, making it suitable for small to medium-sized projects with limited development resources.
  • Relational Database Management
    Access supports relational database management, enabling users to create complex queries, reports, and forms to manage data efficiently.
  • Cost-Effective
    As part of the Microsoft 365 suite, it's a cost-effective option for businesses already using Microsoft products, avoiding the need for investing in separate database software.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Access

  • Limited Scalability
    Microsoft Access is not well-suited for handling very large databases or high-concurrency environments, limiting its use for larger enterprises.
  • Performance Issues
    Performance may degrade as the size of the database increases or if multiple users access it simultaneously, impacting overall efficiency.
  • Windows-Only Compatibility
    Access is primarily available on Windows, limiting its use in environments that rely on other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Limited Web Integration
    Access has limited capabilities for web-based applications, making it less suitable for modern, web-centric business needs.
  • Complexity with Advanced Features
    While it is user-friendly for basic tasks, advanced database management and programming in Access can become complex and may require specialized skills.

Analysis of Microsoft Access

Overall verdict

  • Microsoft Access is a widely used and powerful database management system that can be a good choice for certain users.

Why this product is good

  • Microsoft Access is good for users who need a simple yet effective way to create and manage relational databases with a user-friendly interface. It offers advanced features like customizable forms, reports, and queries, and integrates well with other Microsoft Office products.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized businesses
  • Users who are already familiar with Microsoft Office products and want easy integration
  • Individuals or teams looking for a cost-effective database solution
  • Environments where a quick and efficient database solution is required without the complexity of larger database systems

Microsoft 365 videos

Office 365 Complete Tutorial Zero to Hero

More videos:

  • Review - What is Office 365
  • Review - The Merger - S3E8 - The Office In Review
  • Review - Performance Review - S2E8 - The Office in Review
  • Review - Checking Out Microsoft Office 365
  • Review - All 9 Seasons of The Office Ranked!
  • Review - Microsoft Office 365 review: Online, offline, any good?
  • Review - 🤷‍♂️ What is Microsoft 365 - Explained

Microsoft Access videos

Microsoft access overview

More videos:

  • Review - What is a Microsoft Access Database?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Access)
Office Suites
88 88%
12% 12
Office & Productivity
88 88%
12% 12
Project Management
90 90%
10% 10
Office Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Access

Microsoft 365 Reviews

  1. Always backup your Office 365 data

    Microsoft Office 365 is an amazing software that helps companies establish their business, so a backup is a must since Microsoft is not offering the proper backup.

    🏁 Competitors: Google Docs
    👍 Pros:    Great set of functions
    👎 Cons:    No backup

Top Alternatives to Microsoft Office Suite
In today’s competitive business environment, having the right office suite is crucial for streamlined operations and effective collaboration. While Microsoft Office Suite has been a popular choice, these alternatives offer unique features and cost-effective solutions to cater to your specific business needs. Whether you prioritize real-time collaboration, budget-friendly...
Source: saaszeal.com
112 Best Chrome Extensions You Should Try (2021 List)
Office Editing For Docs, Sheets & Slides is an offline chrome extension that helps you edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files without Office installed on your PC. It opens Docx and other files in a new tab instead of downloading them locally.
The BEST Email Hosting Providers for Small Business in 2021
There are 4 deployment steps to set up an account on Microsoft 365 Business. The initial step is acquiring a subscription and assigning Microsoft 365 Business licenses to the user. Then you use the set-up wizard to configure the account. Once you install the Office apps on your devices, the final step is to prepare your PCs by using the Windows AutoPilot.

Microsoft Access Reviews

TOP best Microsoft Access replacement software for databases
LibreOffice Base has a host of handy features, including cross-database support for multi-user databases such as MySQL, Adabas D, Microsoft Access, and PostgreSQL. LibreOffice Base is probably an almost direct copy of Microsoft Access. Both are front-end database management tools.
Source: tipsmake.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Microsoft 365 seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 13 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Microsoft 365 mentions (13)

  • You Are Already Using Wasm In Production
    If you use Microsoft’s online Office.com suite or the popular Figma graphics tool, you’ve already used Wasm in production. If you’ve used a device to watch streaming services like BBC or Amazon Prime, you’ve already used Wasm in production. In fact, you’re using Wasm in production right now. This website has been powered by server-side Wasm since its initial launch in February of 2022. Our serverless platform for... - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Need to count calls on certain days in certain time slots
    Yes it does change, will not work for 2016, but it works for excel online at office.com, which is free with a microsoft account. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Change SharePoint Start Page for All
    When our users go to office.com, login and click the waffle for SharePoint, I want to change this landing page. Right now, it goes to https://ourdomain.sharepoint.com/_layouts/15/sharepoint.aspx and once users are in SP, if they ever click the home button it will direct them to this page as well. I want to change this to a new site we created that makes browsing our sites and sharing information/events much... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Has anyone seen same behavior with AAD laptops reaching out to internal DCs on ports 88, 389, and 445
    Authentication happens through a 3rd party so when we try to login to office.com with our company accounts it redirect us to this 3rd party company that handles our logins. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Where is the Copilot in Excel?
    I've looked in office.com (using Chrome) and Excel 365 for Mac (Version 16.79). Nothing in the top-right corner except "Analyze Data". And when I try to search for in the the Tell Me or Help menu, it acts like it has no idea what Copilot is. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

Microsoft Access mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Microsoft Access yet. Tracking of Microsoft Access recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Access, you can also consider the following products

LibreOffice - Free office suite, open source, and compatible with .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx files. Updated regularly – download for free. Originally based on OpenOffice.org.

Apache OpenOffice - Apache OpenOffice is an open source, office document productivity suite.

SoftMaker Office - SoftMaker Office is one of the most powerful and reliable office suite that is fully compatible with the MS Office Suite.

Google Workspace - Google's encompassing suite of cloud-based business apps.

Zoho Docs - Zoho Docs is an online document management software that lets you manage and store all your files on the cloud. Share, collaborate and access all your files on multiple devices.

WPS Office - Would you need Office Word, Excel or PowerPoint for Home, business or School? WPS.com would give you right version for you.