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Microsoft Access VS Microsoft SQL

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

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Microsoft Access logo Microsoft Access

Microsoft Access is a DBMS that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface.

Microsoft SQL logo Microsoft SQL

Microsoft SQL is a best in class relational database management software that facilitates the database server to provide you a primary function to store and retrieve data.
  • Microsoft Access Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27
  • Microsoft SQL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26

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.

Microsoft SQL features and specs

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    SQL Server offers a wide range of features including advanced analytics, in-memory capabilities, robust security measures, and integration services.
  • High Performance
    With in-memory OLTP and support for persistent memory technologies, SQL Server provides high transaction and query performance.
  • Scalability
    SQL Server can scale from small installations on single machines to large, data-intensive applications requiring high throughput and storage.
  • Security
    SQL Server offers advanced security features like encryption, dynamic data masking, and advanced threat protection, ensuring data safety and compliance.
  • Integrations
    It easily integrates with other Microsoft products such as Azure, Power BI, and Active Directory, providing a cohesive ecosystem for enterprise solutions.
  • Developer Friendly
    It supports a wide range of development tools and languages including .NET, Python, Java, and more, making it highly versatile for developers.
  • High Availability
    Features like Always On availability groups and failover clustering provide high availability and disaster recovery options for critical applications.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft SQL

  • Cost
    SQL Server can be expensive, particularly for the Enterprise edition. Licensing costs can add up quickly depending on the features and scale required.
  • Complexity
    Due to its comprehensive feature set, SQL Server can be complex to configure and manage, requiring skilled administrators and developers.
  • Resource Intensive
    SQL Server can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial hardware resources for optimal performance, which can increase overall operational costs.
  • Windows-Centric
    While SQL Server can run on Linux, it is primarily optimized for and tightly integrated with the Windows ecosystem, which may not suit all organizations.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Being a proprietary solution, it can cause vendor lock-in, making it challenging to switch to alternative database systems without significant migration efforts.

Microsoft Access videos

Microsoft access overview

More videos:

  • Review - What is a Microsoft Access Database?

Microsoft SQL videos

3.1 Microsoft SQL Server Review

More videos:

  • Review - What is Microsoft SQL Server?
  • Review - Querying Microsoft SQL Server (T-SQL) | Udemy Instructor, Phillip Burton [bestseller]

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL)
Office Suites
100 100%
0% 0
Databases
4 4%
96% 96
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Relational Databases
0 0%
100% 100

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 Access and Microsoft SQL

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

Microsoft SQL Reviews

We have no reviews of Microsoft SQL yet.
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What are some alternatives?

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

Microsoft 365 - Boost your productivity with reliable access anywhere with services like email, calendar, file sharing, meetings, instant messaging, and Office Online

MySQL - The world's most popular open source database

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

PostgreSQL - PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source object-relational database system.

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

SQLite - SQLite Home Page