Memento Database vs Microsoft Access

Memento Database

• Collecting data in the field on a phone without a connection
• Cataloging collections, inventory and assets with barcode scanning
• Individuals and small teams that want a custom database without coding

Microsoft Access

• Small businesses building their own database apps on Windows PCs
• Teams sharing a database over a local network
• Organizations that already license the Microsoft 365 desktop apps

Memento Database

• The Free plan is limited to 100 MB of cloud storage and 3 cloud libraries, with 1 automation rule, 1 script and 1 chart per library.
• Desktop apps need an internet connection to open cloud libraries; only the Android and iOS apps work offline.
• Google Sheets and Google Calendar sync, Google Docs export and encrypted libraries are listed as Android-specific features.
• Centralized user management, user groups and advanced access control require the Business plan.

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.

Memento Database

Custom libraries with linked entries

Each library is built from field types that include text, numbers, dates, files, barcodes, signatures and GPS locations. Link-to-entry fields create one-to-many and many-to-many relationships.

List, table, card, map and calendar views

Entries can be shown as a list, a spreadsheet-like table, cards, a map for location data or a calendar, then filtered, sorted, grouped and aggregated.

Offline mobile apps

The Android and iOS apps work fully offline with local or cloud libraries and sync once reconnected. They use the camera, barcode scanner and GPS for data entry.

Automation rules and JavaScript

No-code automation rules and JavaScript scripts add triggers, calculations and custom actions. The Free plan allows 1 rule and 1 script per library; paid plans are unlimited.

Web forms and published pages

Web forms collect entries from people who do not have the app. Data views can be published as web pages that are public, password-protected or restricted to specific users.

AI credits and charts

AI features draw on monthly credits: 200 on Free, 2,000 on Pro and 3,000 per user on Business, with no rollover. Charts are limited to 1 per library on the Free plan.

Microsoft Access

Database apps from templates or scratch

Business apps are built from templates or from scratch with Access's design tools, which Microsoft pitches at people who are not developers.

Tables, queries, forms and reports

A database is made of tables for the data plus queries, forms, reports, macros and modules that sit on top of them and form the app's interface and logic.

Visual Basic for Applications

VBA code automates business processes and is used to build more capable forms and reports.

SQL Server and Azure SQL storage

Data can be stored in SQL Server or Microsoft Azure SQL instead of the Access file. Each requires its own subscription to that service.

Connectors to other data sources

The Access connector library shares data between Access and line-of-business apps, so combined data can be queried and charted inside Access.

Multi-user sharing

A database can be shared from a network folder, split into a back-end data file with a front-end copy per user, or linked to SharePoint lists. Access supports up to 255 concurrent users.

Memento Database

• Free$0

  100 MB of cloud storage, 3 cloud libraries, unlimited entries, 200 AI credits a month and limited functionality on mobile and desktop.

• Pro$6

  per month, billed annually ($8 billed monthly)

  5 GB of cloud storage, unlimited libraries, 2,000 AI credits a month, full features on every platform, and 1 web site with 5 pages.

• Business$11

  per user / month, billed annually ($14 billed monthly)

  20 GB of storage and 3,000 AI credits per user, unlimited web sites and pages, centralized user management and advanced access control.

Microsoft Access

• Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99

  per month, or $99.99 per year

  For 1 person on up to 5 devices: Access (PC only) alongside the Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook desktop apps and 1 TB of cloud storage.

• Microsoft 365 Apps for business$10.00

  per user / month, paid yearly ($12.00 billed monthly)

  Fully installed Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Access (PC only) for up to 300 employees, with 1 TB of cloud storage per user.

• Microsoft 365 Family$12.99

  per month, or $129.99 per year

  Everything in Personal for 1 to 6 people, each able to sign in on up to 5 devices, with 1 TB of storage per person.

• Microsoft 365 Business Standard$14.00

  per user / month, paid yearly ($16.80 billed monthly)

  Desktop, web and mobile apps including Access (PC only), plus business email, Microsoft Teams and 1 TB of cloud storage per user.

• Microsoft 365 Premium$19.99

  per month, or $199.99 per year

  Everything in Family, plus extensive Copilot usage and agentic AI features such as advanced research and analytics.

• Access$179.99

  one-time purchase for 1 PC

  Standalone Access for one PC running Windows 11 or Windows 10, bought once rather than by subscription.

Memento Database

• Annual discount

  Lower monthly rate on annual billing

  Pro is $6 a month on annual billing against $8 billed monthly, and Business is $11 per user against $14, a saving of roughly 21% to 25%.

Microsoft Access

• Annual discount

  Save up to 17% by paying yearly

  Microsoft 365 Personal is $99.99 a year against $9.99 a month, Family $129.99 against $12.99 and Premium $199.99 against $19.99.

• Annual discount

  Apps for business: $10 yearly, $12 monthly

  Microsoft 365 Apps for business is $10.00 per user a month when paid yearly, or $12.00 per user a month on a monthly subscription.

• Education

  Students save 50% on Microsoft 365 Personal

  Verified college and university students get Microsoft 365 Personal, which includes Access, at half price. Student status has to be re-verified each year.

• Lifetime license

  Standalone Access as a one-time purchase

  $179.99 buys Access for 1 PC running Windows 11 or Windows 10, with no subscription.