Alternatives · Spreadsheets
Microsoft Access alternatives
Microsoft Access compared with 6 alternatives: Claris FileMaker, Airtable, Ninox, Grist, Microsoft Lists and 1 more.
Microsoft Access is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). 4 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
6 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft AccessThis tool | Free trial · from $9.99/mo | Trial only | Windows |
| Claris FileMaker | Free trial · from $17.50/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Airtable | Free plan · from $20/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Ninox | Free plan · from $31/mo | Yes | Web |
| Grist | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Microsoft Lists | Free trial · from $5.40/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Memento Database | Free plan · from $6/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Microsoft Access
- Free trial · from $17.50/mo
Claris FileMaker
Low-code platform for custom database apps on desktop, iOS and web
- Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users). Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
- Only Claris FileMaker lists a web app.
- Only Claris FileMaker lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Claris FileMaker is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Microsoft Access can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Businesses that need custom apps shaped around their own workflows
- Free plan · from $20/mo
Airtable
Relational database platform for building team workflows and apps
- Airtable starts at $20 per seat / month, billed annually ($24 billed monthly). Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
- Airtable has a free plan. Microsoft Access does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Airtable lists a web app.
- Only Airtable lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Microsoft Access can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Teams that want to shape a database into their own project tracker
- Free plan · from $31/mo
Ninox
AI-assisted low-code platform for custom business software
- Ninox starts at $31 per user / month, billed annually ($36 billed monthly). Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
- Ninox has a free plan. Microsoft Access does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Ninox lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft Access lists a Windows app.
- Microsoft Access can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Businesses building their own CRM, inventory or invoicing tools
- Free plan · from $8/mo
Grist
Open-source relational spreadsheet with Python formulas
- Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually. Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
- Grist has a free plan. Microsoft Access does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Grist lists a web app.
- Only Grist lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Grist is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Spreadsheet users who have outgrown a single sheet and need linked tables
- Free trial · from $5.40/mo
Microsoft Lists
Information-tracking lists app included with Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Lists starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams). Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
- Only Microsoft Lists lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft Access lists a Windows app.
- Microsoft Access can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Microsoft Lists also covers workflow automation.
Suits: Organizations already paying for Microsoft 365 that need shared trackers
- Free plan · from $6/mo
Memento Database
No-code database app for phones and desktops with offline use
- Memento Database starts at $6 per month, billed annually ($8 billed monthly). Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
- Memento Database has a free plan. Microsoft Access does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Memento Database lists Android, iOS, macOS and Linux apps.
- Microsoft Access can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Memento Database also covers workflow automation, no-code and forms.
Suits: Collecting data in the field on a phone without a connection
Limits worth knowing in Microsoft Access
- Access is available for PC only; Microsoft lists no Mac, web or mobile version.
- It is not part of Office Home 2024 or Microsoft 365 Business Basic, which has web and mobile apps only.
- An Access database file is limited to 2 GB, minus the space needed for system objects.
- Storing data in SQL Server or Azure SQL requires a separate subscription to that service.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Microsoft Access?
The alternatives to Microsoft Access in this directory are Claris FileMaker, Airtable, Ninox, Grist, Microsoft Lists and Memento Database. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Microsoft Access.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Access?
Yes. Airtable, Ninox, Grist and Memento Database have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Microsoft Access alternatives work on macOS?
The Microsoft Access listing does not include a macOS app. Claris FileMaker, Airtable, Grist and Memento Database list one.
Which Microsoft Access alternatives work on Linux?
The Microsoft Access listing does not include a Linux app. Grist and Memento Database list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Access?
Grist is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.