Within the business world, a database application must be a must. In them we will be able to write down both the client registry, as well as a private address book, inventory inventories and even accounting. For this, the most popular utility is none other than Microsoft Access . This tool can be found within the Microsoft Office suite.
Microsoft Access is a Database Management System (DBMS). With this tool we can insert, store, edit, evaluate and present all kinds of data, which can be modified or created new from its graphical interface. The application has templates with assistants to put our database into operation. For the most expert users, it also incorporates advanced functions, allowing us to program directly in Visual Basic, which is included within the application.
But Access is not only aimed at the business environment, but we can also give it a more domestic use and use it to organize our book library, all our music discs or our movie catalog. Within it we will find functions such as Tables, Queries, Forms or Reports that will help us organize efficiently everything we need.
Despite the fact that Access is one of the most widely used database tools, it has drawbacks, that it is paid as it is part of the Office package, in addition to being only available for Windows . That is why, it never hurts to know some database alternatives that we can use instead of Microsoft Access.
Free alternatives to Microsoft Access
MySQL
It is a free and open source database application, under a GPL license, making it a great alternative to Access. It is known both for its high performance scalability and for having solid data protection , as well as a great network of support from its users. It bases its operation on a client and server model and offers SQL compatibility. It has table stored procedures and the ability to automate tasks.
MySQL is a 100% free tool that we can download directly from its website .
nuBuilder Forte
We are facing a browser-based tool created by Software to develop web-based database applications , using for them the MySQL or Maria DB databases. The application has been developed for all types of users. It includes videos and online documentation with all kinds of information to be able to use it efficiently. It also allows us to make backup copies of the entire application in a single database file.
If we want to start using nuBuilder, it is possible to download and install it for free from its own website , without any cost for its license.
Axisbase
It is a database system that we can use to track any type of information from our company . In this way, we can track sales made by a website, fulfill orders from our office, maintain inventory lists or any other structured information. We can obtain sheets generated with reports , accessing from anywhere, accessing only its official website.
You can use Axibase for free by accessing its website.
Base (LibreOffice)
It is a powerful desktop database manager that can be found within the LibreOffice suite, designed to meet the demands of a wide range of users, making it one of the most popular alternatives to Access. It provides native drivers for some of the most widely used multi-user database engines: MySQL / MariaDB, Adabas D, MS Access and PostgreSQL . It has wizards to help the integration of new users, which will help us create tables, queries, forms and reports, for better monitoring of assets, customers, invoices and other needs of our company.
As we have mentioned, Base is part of the LibreOffice suite, so we are talking about a free and open source application. We can download it from the developer’s website .
Base (Apache OpenOffice)
As with LibreOffice, other popular open source suites like Apache OpenOffice also has its database manager, called Base . It has all kinds of assistants to help new users in the use of the application by creating tables, forms, queries and reports. It also has a predefined set of table definitions with which to control assets, sales orders, customers, invoices, among other elements of our company. It has a powerful HSQL relational database engine, as well as native support for dBase files.
As we have mentioned, Base is part of the OpenOffice suite, which we can download for free from its website .
Glom
This open source software is another of the clear alternatives that we can find as a substitute for Microsoft Access. It uses PostgreSQL as a database format and is geared for small projects like contact lists or product lists. It has a clear and easy to use user interface that will allow us to create and analyze very quickly. In addition, it allows us to generate reports, as well as consult the data through the search function and establish relationships between them based on specific criteria.
Glom is a free open source tool, so we can test it without limitations to see if it fits what we are looking for.
Payment alternatives to Microsoft Access
Brilliant Database
It is a powerful software in which we will find everything we need to create a database. It has an engine that supports a 1.5 TByte database that works through an Internet connection. It allows the possibility of creating a database of any structure, as well as using the editors to create reports, forms, queries, scripts , etc. To make it easy to use, it has an interface similar to Outlook, in the form of a tree with folders, allowing us to easily work with any data.
Brillant Database is a paid application, so if we want to use it as an alternative to Microsoft Access, we will have to pay its license, which is $ 79. It is also possible to download a trial version from its website.
Filemaker
It is a powerful and easy-to-use database tool to perform any task as quickly as possible. It has tools that allow us to create a personalized database, prepare reports, publish data on the web and share information with a couple of clicks. It includes templates to carry out all kinds of procedures, both professional and personal. In addition, it does not allow their modification to our liking, both before and once we have started working with them.
Filemarker Pro is a software with different payment options that starts from 21 euros per month per user, billed annually. It is also possible to download a free 45-day trial version from their website.
