Microsoft Access vs. Oracle SQL Developer

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft Access
Score 7.6 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Access is a database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools.
$139.99
per PC
Oracle SQL Developer
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Oracle SQL Developer is an integrated development environment (IDE) which provides editors for working with SQL, PL/SQL, Stored Java Procedures, and XML in Oracle databases.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft AccessOracle SQL Developer
Editions & Modules
Microsoft Access
$139.99
per PC
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft AccessOracle SQL Developer
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft AccessOracle SQL Developer
Considered Both Products
Microsoft Access
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is a superb software in database management system. I have been using it for many years without any hesitations. The software is making it different from other software with its awesome features. The software is cost effective for the organisation. It also …
Chose Microsoft Access
Excel is a fantastic - robust application that can do so much so easily. Its easy to train and understand. However - excel does not provide a reporting function and that is typically where we will suggest a move to [Microsoft] Access. [Microsoft] Access requires a little more …
Chose Microsoft Access

With [Microsoft] Access I am able to quickly create simple database driven solutions with built in UI and reporting in one tool. Advanced coding is not necessary and the tool guides you through building out. Opponents for a robust, end-to/end product.

Chose Microsoft Access
Having used Snowflake, I can definitely say that both of these tools are very easy to use and value for money. Although for me, the aspects where Microsoft Access stacks up are its low cost and usability. Snowflake is good with its cloud-based system but for startups where the …
Chose Microsoft Access
I haven't really used another database product other than Microsoft Access since the mid-90s. I don't even remember which program I did use, but needless to say, it did not have as much functionality nor was it as user friendly as databases today. So I really can't say how …
Chose Microsoft Access
Crystal is easier for report writing, but isn't a database solution. Salesforce is lovely, but much more expensive than an old copy of Microsoft Office. For a small budget, [Microsoft] Access was really the only viable option. I only wish it was easier to write complex reports.
Chose Microsoft Access
[Selected Microsoft Access for] employee learning simplicity, attractive graphical environment and features of Microsoft 365 with responsive Microsoft support.
Chose Microsoft Access
Visual FoxPro is a discontinued software, and no longer has support. Also, very few people still use it, or ever know how to use it. Excel is very popular, but [Microsoft] Access can do things like data joins much easier and faster
Chose Microsoft Access
Although SQL is a full-blown platform for heavy database management, Microsoft Access serves the purpose perfectly for small and mid-scale enterprises. It is also perfect for people just getting started with database management. The graphical user interface is a major plus …
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is better for large files and backlogs than Excel because it can handle the workload. Excel is great as well, but filtering and searching is limited, and it can crash rather easily. You don't see those problems with Access.
Chose Microsoft Access
We've actually started to use both of these programs. There are pros and cons to both.
Microsoft Access is best for linking two sets of data that already have a common shared field (i.e. both sets of data include a student ID number, social security number, etc)
Airtable is best …
Chose Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Access is great for local low code, relational database applications where users are creating, reading, updating, and deleting data (CRUD)..
  • Useful mostly for locally stored database and not network or cloud-based applications
  • Easy-to-user interface makes it hard to …
Chose Microsoft Access
SharePoint is good for simple data structures, use of workflow, integration with AD, etc. But SharePoint does not support fully relational data or complex reporting, whereas Access absolutely does.
Chose Microsoft Access
Being a similar "Windows application" it's easier to start to use as part of Office. Also, the GUI capabilities are much more advanced than other high-performance databases.
Chose Microsoft Access
Tableau is not even a 'switch-out' tool, it's for visualization so it's not a fair comparison. Against other databasing tools, MySQL is still my favorite may be simply due to being a creature of comfort because that's where I first learned to manage DB. However, Microsoft …
Chose Microsoft Access
MS SQL is a more powerful tool but I love the reporting feature in MS Access. MS Excel is useful for complex calculations but to me, MS Access helps me organize that data. InfoPath is similar to MS Access in that you can create forms for data entry, but it does not include …
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is a bit dated compared to other database tools. It is slower, not able to handle quantities of data that are as large as the other tools, and a bit more finicky. However, it is sometimes the preferred tool for some clients. It also has a lower barrier to entry …
Chose Microsoft Access
Filemaker Pro focuses more on data collection in a single, flat file while Access allows for relationships to be drawn between data tables the reduces duplication. I have not worked with FileMaker Pro for several years but found it to be very unwieldy for my needs which were …
Chose Microsoft Access
We tried Salesforce, which was expensive and not as customizable as Access. QuickBase also was pricey compared to already having an MS license with the existing package, and QuickBase was not very intuitive. The other option was an open source version which was less intuitive …
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is much easier to understand and use than SAP. There are a lot of menus in SAP which can be very difficult to navigate. If you are familiar with Microsoft Word/Excel it is very similar and should be easy to learn. Also maintaining databases in Access is much …
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access databases are more suitable for us because we are a smaller team. It's easy for us to export the reporting. It's also easy for people to create their own databases as well! Microsoft Access is honestly a one-stop-shop for us, and we figured we were not at a …
Oracle SQL Developer
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer is easy to install, easy to use and navigate and feature rich graphical user interface to view and manage data. It can be used across various roles like developer, tester, administrator etc. It helps to develop a strong base for database understanding. …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle Big Data SQL Cloud Service and DbVisualizer
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer has rich User interface and user friendly compared to other databases, it is also used In large applications which has huge data sets and need good performance that is only possible in Oracle Developer, It also gives us fast curd operations and better space …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Having used both TOAD and PL/SQL Developer, I believe SQL Developer from Oracle is a most than acceptable alternative, maybe not as powerful and complete as them but being free has a very positive impact. Most development profiles can work perfectly using SQL Developer while …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer is available on multiple platforms, Windows Mac Linux and it's free. SQL Developer is best suited for a big cross functional globally based team. SQL Developer is less resource intensive, compared to other IDEs. SQL Developer has the capability to manage …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
[The] developer's user interface is very handy and simple to use. [W]e can see full query [executions] and optimize the query data import and export, [which] is very easy. [Easy] [installation] and setup [of the] debugging [process] is easy.
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
[Oracle SQL Developer] is well suited when one doesn't need to work heavily on DB; a person who has just started learning SQL or working on SQL can work easily using SQL developer. It's free.
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
In addition to Oracle SQL Developer I have used Microsoft SQL Server management studio, Toad for Oracle, SAS, and other third party SQL tools. I have found Oracle SQL Developer to be one of the best all around tools for accessing Oracle databases, as well as interfacing with …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer is better than SQL server, as it is easy to set up and install. Oracle SQL Developer is better in UI than SQL server. The features are almost the same. In comparison to DBeaver, it is much easier to set up as DBeaver's installation and setup is very …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer is neck and neck with other tools. It offers all the required features and is much more reliable than many other vendors. Since it’s developed by Oracle, it works well with Oracle. It’s ultimately down to individual selection but Oracle SQL Developer offers …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Toad from Dell is a licensed product. We are just using it for using queries using GUI, so SQL Developer was a good option for us.
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
IDEA has a built-in database connection and query platform. It has a slightly better code completion feature but lacks many of the functions of the SQL developer.
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
This SQL Developer product stacks up well against TOAD, in that it has most of the functionality that TOAD has and allows better organization for me. It also allows me to make connections within new folders of the same database with different users. The best thing about SQL …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer, in comparison to Toad for Oracle, works very similarly. Toad for Oracle is very useful for complex data management, and this includes monitoring queries and managing permissions. Oracle SQL Developer is great as a simple tool for developers. It has …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
They do almost the same things, but I particularly I prefer TOAD, maybe because when I started programming with Oracle Database it was the first tool that I used and I think it's easier to use too.
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
SQL Developer is a very simple tool that is user-friendly and easy to understand for beginners as well. As SQL Developer is Oracle's own product, the Oracle product support is better when it is mentioned about the use of SQL Developer in Service Requests. The area of …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
DbArtisan is the elephant in the room for a number of reasons. It not only does everything SQL Developer does, but it also has a huge number of management functions built-in. However, it is immensely expensive and, for your average developer, way overkill.
Squirrel is also a …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Prior to using Oracle SQL Developer, I used TOAD Data Point. I did not have any decision making in choosing Oracle SQL over TOAD Data Point but I can say the ease of use is noticeable in Oracles SQL. Oracle is every bit as good if not better than TOAD data point due to ease …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
I used both SQL Developer and Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM). SQL Developer does not stack up against OEM. They complement each other.
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer has a much simpler, novice-friendly interface than TOAD or Sequel Pro. Less clutter and fewer buttons makes it easier for a non-expert/non-DBA to navigate and query. Having a product supported by Oracle itself is also a draw. If an issue is being …
Chose Oracle SQL Developer
I have not used a product like Oracle SQL Developer before.
Best Alternatives
Microsoft AccessOracle SQL Developer
Small Businesses
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Score 7.7 out of 10
PyCharm
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Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
InterSystems IRIS
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Score 7.7 out of 10
PyCharm
PyCharm
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
SAP IQ
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Score 10.0 out of 10
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Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Microsoft AccessOracle SQL Developer
Likelihood to Recommend
5.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
7.0
(0 ratings)
8.9
(0 ratings)
Availability
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
6.4
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
9.2
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
5.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft AccessOracle SQL Developer
Likelihood to Recommend
Having worked at startups, I can say Microsoft Access is most suited for their needs. Some of the reasons for that can be the ease and ability to create tables, design an entity-relationship diagram, define the relationship between different tables, feeding data into the tables, and retrieving data. All of this can be curated very easily into a process for small to medium-size enterprises. But a serious limitation can be observed where Access does not provide better features for large-scale companies. Another limitation is for companies where Mac is used as work computers.
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[Oracle SQL Developer is] best suited if your company works with different databases and needs a common SQL editor to manage and query data for its user. Oracle SQL Developer works very well with Oracle but also some other relational databases. If you do lot of querying and import/export in database, then this is tool for you. It's ideal for DBAs as well for data modeling, management, session monitoring, logging, versioning, etc. It’s not ideal for no relational/noSQL or big data. It is not tool for visualization. It’s best suited for querying using SQL. Companies that are looking for free tools that are robust and most useful should definitely look at it.
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Pros
  • One good aspect of Microsoft Access is how the software can be customized for different applications. This is very useful because we are able to use this software for multiple applications, which makes it cost-friendly.
  • Another strong point of Microsoft Access is the skill required to customize, the amount of programming required is less than most other database programs. This is good for a beginner looking to get into database management.
  • Microsoft Access is one of the more cost-friendly database applications, and most of the time it comes with Microsoft Office. Other database programs can be expensive and not as easy to use.
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  • Export SQL results to a spreadsheet. After a query is run, you are able to export the results to a spreadsheet
  • Easily preview data columns on an Oracle table or view and the metadata on those columns.
  • SQL Editor is color-coded so that you can tell easily what are keywords.
  • You can set up SQL code templates to be able to use shortcut keys to format your SQL query easily in a readable format that you prefer.
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Cons
  • Generally high learning curve for new users. Especially if they are not comfortable with technology.
  • Desktop only program; not available in web-format like other O365 products
  • Fewer experienced users, means it's a lot of self-teaching and troubleshooting when you run into an issue
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  • Setup can be challenging if your schemas aren't well formed or managed. Also, the ability to model/develop extensions for an existing database solution will depend on how robust the DBA provisioned roles and designed the respective schemas.
  • Detailed analysis of models can be clunky for complex relational models.
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Likelihood to Renew
I and the rest of my team will renew our Microsoft Access in the future because we use and maintain many different applications and databases created using Microsoft Access so we will need to maintain them in the future. Additionally, it is a standard at our place of work so it is at $0 cost to us to use. Another reason for renewing Microsoft Access is that we just don' t have the resources needed to extend into a network of users so we need to remain a single-desktop application at this time.
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It allows most users to perform daily activities in a simple way, with no cost since the tool is free.
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Usability
Microsoft Access is easy to use. It is compatible with spreadsheets. It is a very good data management tool. There is scope to save a large amount of data in one place. For using this database, one does not need much training, can be shared among multiple users. This database has to sort and filtering features which seem to be very useful.
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Oracle SQL Developer is very easy to use and there are a wide range of courses available which can help you get started just within a day. Data can be exported in multiple formats based on user requirements. Organizational data can be stored and management effectively using Oracle SQL Developer. All the data, tables, sequences, indexes can be easily created and updated in Oracle SQL Developer.
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Reliability and Availability
I don't think the program has ever failed me. It is one of those programs where there is always a solution if you know where to look.
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
While I have never contacted Microsoft directly for product support, for some reason there's a real prejudice against MS Access among most IT support professionals. They are usually discouraging when it comes to using MS Access. Most of this is due to their lack of understanding of MS Access and how it can improve one's productivity. If Microsoft invested more resources towards enhancing and promoting the use of MS Access then maybe things would be different.
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Large user community support
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Implementation Rating
there is no key idea, since it is easy to implement Microsoft Access
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Just download and uncompress!
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Alternatives Considered
Excel is a fantastic - robust application that can do so much so easily. Its easy to train and understand. However - excel does not provide a reporting function and that is typically where we will suggest a move to [Microsoft] Access. [Microsoft] Access requires a little more knowledge of data manipulation.
Read full review
Oracle SQL Developer is available on multiple platforms, Windows Mac Linux and it's free. SQL Developer is best suited for a big cross functional globally based team. SQL Developer is less resource intensive, compared to other IDEs. SQL Developer has the capability to manage and develop Oracle Database in both on premise and Cloud deployments. SQL Developer can also connect and interact with non oracle database like MS SQL server and MySQL etc.
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Return on Investment
  • Microsoft Access has had a mostly positive impact on our business objectives in that most of our work is funded by grants and those grants need reports with data about our projects. Microsoft Access makes getting and organizing that data very easy.
  • Another positive is that since it is built on an Excel backbone, Excel files can be easily imported into Microsoft Access and also it is easy to export Microsoft Access reports, data sheets, etc. into Excel and some other programs as well. That might help more people who already use Excel learn how to work in a database.
  • I can't really think of a negative impact other than not many people at my workplace have ever used or understand how to use a database. Most people tend to use Excel rather than a database, like Microsoft Access.
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  • No impact on the organization's budget as Oracle SQL Developer is free.
  • With the increased productivity of our database administrators, they are able to better assist the software developers in prototyping future products.
  • Through Oracle SQL Developer, our administrators were able to normalize many of our databases, reducing the amount of redundancy, and hence increasing the performance of our main application.
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