Top pick: LibreOffice Base. Switching saves about $100 USD a year.
$99.99 USDa year
$115 CAD
Every pick below has a free version.
3 alternatives
The editor’s first choice for most people switching.
Best for a desktop database with forms and reports
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Existing Access forms, reports and VBA code must be rebuilt; tables and data can be migrated.
Covers most of the same work, with trade-offs noted on each card.
Best for a spreadsheet-style front end on SQL databases
Source-available under a Sustainable Use License, not an OSI license. The self-hosted Community edition caps workflows at 2 per base. Free version: Self-hosted Community edition is free with unlimited records. The free cloud plan has 1,000 records and 3 users.
Best for shared no-code databases in a browser
MIT-licensed core that you can self-host. Premium and enterprise features sit behind a paid license, and the free cloud plan has 3,000 rows per workspace. Free version: The open-source edition is free to self-host. Baserow Cloud's free plan has 3,000 rows and 2 GB per workspace.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
How each alternative covers what people use Microsoft Access for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | LibreOffice Base | NocoDB | Baserow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | |||
| ACCDB and MDB file compatibility | PartialNote 1Connects to MDB and ACCDB files for reading and migration; may need Java | NoNote 2Does not open ACCDB or MDB files; export tables to CSV first | NoNote 3Does not open ACCDB or MDB files; export tables to CSV first |
| Data | |||
| Relational tables with integrity rules | YesNote 4Tables, relationships and keys in an embedded database | PartialNote 5Linked records and lookups on top of SQL databases | PartialNote 6Link-to-table fields and lookups instead of enforced relationships |
| Visual query design and SQL | YesNote 7Query designer and SQL view | PartialNote 8Filters, sorts and views; no visual query designer | PartialNote 9Filters, sorts, grouping and formulas; no SQL view or query designer |
| Interface | |||
| Forms and printable reports | YesNote 10Form wizard and report builder | PartialNote 11Form, gallery and kanban views; no printable report builder | PartialNote 12Form view and gallery or kanban views; no printable report builder |
| Automation | |||
| VBA and macros | NoNote 13Access VBA does not run; Basic and Python macros are the options | NoNote 14Webhooks and workflows instead of macros | NoNote 15Automations and webhooks instead of macros |
| Integration | |||
| Links to SQL Server, ODBC and other sources | YesNote 16ODBC, JDBC and native connectors for MySQL, PostgreSQL and others | YesNote 17Connects to existing MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server and SQLite databases | PartialNote 18CSV, JSON and Airtable import, REST API and webhooks; no live SQL connections |
| Parity score | 75% | 42% | 33% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: ACCDB and MDB file compatibility, VBA and macros. See all feature gaps
Can each alternative open and save Microsoft Access files?
| Format | LibreOffice Base | NocoDB | Baserow |
|---|---|---|---|
| .accdb | Opens onlyNote 1Connects to ACCDB files for reading and migration; may need JavaPartial fidelity | NoNote 2Does not open ACCDB files | NoNote 3Does not open ACCDB files |
| .mdb | Opens onlyNote 4Connects to MDB files for reading and migration; may need JavaPartial fidelity | NoNote 5Does not open MDB files | NoNote 6Does not open MDB files |
Switching saves about $100 USD / $115 CAD a year. Prices checked .
Based on Microsoft 365 Personal, annual plan. Price source.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
Something wrong or out of date? Report outdated info.
Microsoft Access is a product of Microsoft, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Microsoft Access: Windows.