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Most free database software isn't as good as Microsoft Access. Fortunately, there are a rare few great alternatives. This article covers the five best. Microsoft Access is a database tool, popularized through its inclusion in most Microsoft Office packages since 1992.
Like many database programs, Microsoft Access is a complex tool with a steep learning curve. However, there are Microsoft Access alternatives, and here are some of the best.
Why Use a Microsoft Access Alternative?
Is Microsoft Access your go-to database tool? It is understandable. Access is a core Microsoft Office feature for both Office 365 and standalone licenses. Despite the rise in free Microsoft Office alternatives, Microsoft Access still consistently features in the top 10 database-engines rankings. It can even be used for other stuff, like building forms in Access.
Microsoft Access splits opinions, too. Pro-Access users point to its ease of use, the massive range of online resources available for users of all abilities, as well as its powerful querying, filtering, and table tools. Anti-Access users contest its lack of scalability, its frustrating 2GB limit, its continued use of a solitary file for the database, and potential for database corruption in multiple-user databases.
For others, the price of Microsoft Access is a sticking point, too. Other free database options perform as well as, if not better than, Microsoft Access.
The Best Free Database Software
The followings are some worthy Microsoft Access alternatives that you can try out for free:
1. LibreOffice Base
LibreOffice Base is a great starting point for those considering a free alternative to Microsoft Access. The open-source office suite remains a strong pretender to the Microsoft Office crown, and the latest version of LibreOffice, 6.1.3, is one of the best yet. Base remains a great all-rounder, well-suited to both home and business needs.
LibreOffice Base has a range of handy features, including cross-database support for multi-user databases such as MySQL, Adabas D, Microsoft Access, and PostgreSQL. LibreOffice Base is probably as close as you can get to a direct Microsoft Access clone. Both are front-end database management tools. You can use Base to make decent database applications or websites, as well as choose between Firebird or HSQLDB for your embedded database framework.
Download: LibreOffice for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
2. Kexi
Calligra Suite is an office and graphic design suite developed by the KDE open source community. Kexi is the Calligra Suite answer to Microsoft Access. Kexi offers a decent mixture of database features: data entry, queries, forms, tables, reports, and more. Furthermore, you can use Kexi as the front-end for a database server such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Microsoft SQL Server.
Another handy feature for those users looking to make the switch is the Kexi Microsoft Access migration assistant. The wizard helps users migrate databases to the Kexi database framework, persevering data and allowing editing between the applications.
Download: Kexi for Windows | Linux (Free)
3. Axisbase
Axisbase was brought to life by a frustrated developer, angered at the expense of forcing his clientele to pay for Microsoft Access, though development seems to have stopped in January 2011. Axisbase is slightly different from the other entries in this list in that it offers an entire database solution, with a familiar front-end interface that feels similar to Filemaker, Access, or Base, but can also act as a database server like MySQL.
Note: Axisbase doesn't support standard SQL, so, be careful! Axis base isn't the most accessible database program to use. You will use Axisbase “building blocks” to develop your database. A building block is "a data subset, list, graph, window, or report." The building blocks can become incredibly complex, such is the underlying depth of Axisbase.
The best place to get started is the Axisbase Documentation Home. The developer provides an overview of how many of the systems work, how you can implement building blocks, and other vital information for the development of your database.
Download: Axisbase for Windows (Free)
4. Symphytum
Symphytum is an open-source personal visual database. The biggest difference between Symphytum and the other options on this list is the target market.
Symphytum is a handy database tool for personal databases, without any need to learn any programming or complicated structures. Don't let that statement fool you, though.
You can still use Symphytum to create a large visual database with lots of customization. It is very accessible and has some handy features, too. For instance, you can drag and drop fields with records to arrange the visual layout. Symphytum does come with a few limitations, mind. The database cannot “handle relational data and automatic field calculations.” Also, the Import CSV function leaves a lot to be desired.
Download: Symphytum for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
5. PortaBase
Your final free alternative to Microsoft Access is also the most basic. In that, you probably won't replace the extensive functionality of Access with PortaBase. However, PortaBase is free, and you can create a basic single table database without too much effort. Because it is such a basic program, there isn't much to learn, either. You create a new database, add the fields that you want, and start filling them in.
You can import from CSV, XML, or MobileDB, and export to CSV, HTML, or XML. One nice PortaBase feature is integrated file encryption. You have the option to encrypt your database using a Blowfish-based encryption library, meaning the encryption is good and strong. Just make sure you don't lose your password!
Download: PortaBase for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
6. DBeaver
DBeaver is another open-source database creation and management tool that you can try out. It’s available for all major computer operating systems like Windows, macOS, or Linux. It comes with the Apache License 2.0, and hence, you can also use the app for both personal and commercial purposes without giving any royalty to the developers.
A refreshing feature of this app is it supports various trending database files for importing into its environment. Therefore, you can add database elements to your DBeaver project from other sources like PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, Firebird, Sybase, and so on. DBeaver project explorer comes with advanced database building features like drag-and-drop editing, import from comma-separated values (CSV), column grouping, JDBC driver for SQL, and many more.
Download: DBeaver for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
7. My Visual Database
My Visual Database offers a modern user interface (UI) sleek design, and hence, stands out from other open-source database apps. The app is easy-to-use, and you can start creating basic databases just after installing it on your computer. You also don’t need to go through any coding courses to create table-based databases.
- After installation, run the app from the computer’s home screen.
- Click on New table and give your table a name.
- Click the New field option to start building the database table.
- Once you click the New field table, it’ll ask you to select the data type, like text, integer, currency, and many more.
- Select the data type and type a Field name to enter your data.
The app also lets you choose the relational database management system (RDBMS) type for advanced database application creation. In the top-right corner of the app, you’ll see the Database:SQLite button. It lets you toggle between the RDBMS type. You can also access database learning resources with a single click from the toolbar options like Book, Forum, and Help. Though the app is only available for Windows computers, it's a good option for database learners.
Download: My Visual Database for Windows (Free)
8. DB Browser for SQLite
DB Browser for SQLite enables you to edit, create, or design database files with SQLite compatibility. The app brings you a spreadsheet-like database project interface, and thus it’s an ideal Microsoft Access alternative. You can also execute complex SQL commands from the GUI visually without memorizing those.
The app also offers various wizard-based database building so that anyone can create basic databases for phone contacts, music libraries, movie catalogs, and so on. You can also effortlessly import databases from other programs provided that the files are in supported formats like .db, .sqlite, .sqlite3, and .db3. If you’re working on any confidential database project and require powerful database encryption, you can also utilize its database encryption system.
However, you can only encrypt existing databases. Hence, you have to create a database first, and then you can encrypt it with a password. Ensure you install the SQLCipher feature to enable the encryption feature.
Download: DB Browser for SQLite for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
Other Microsoft Access Alternatives
There are some notable absences from the Microsoft Access alternatives list. You also have the option of using other free and open-source database options such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL, SQLite, Cassandra, MariaDB, or one of the many others. These all represent resilient, powerful database tools suited to an extensive range of database tasks.
However, for relative ease of use, especially for new users wishing to experiment or get to grips with their first database management program, these selections represent a thorough cross-section of the existing market.
