whichdb
vs

DataEase vs Microsoft Access

DataEase: 1980s PC relational database and RAD tool, still sold today with builds for legacy DOS and Windows apps. Microsoft Access: Desktop database and forms builder bundled with Microsoft 365; still everywhere in back offices.

key differences

  • Only DataEase has role-based access.
  • Only Microsoft Access has transactions, triggers, encryption at rest.
  • Microsoft Access can run embedded in your application process.

choose dataease for

  • +Keeping legacy DataEase for DOS or Windows applications running
  • +Small departmental database applications built without coding

best at · OLTP

choose microsoft-access for

  • +Small departmental tracking apps
  • +Front ends over SQL Server tables
  • +Ad hoc data cleanup and reporting by analysts
  • +Maintaining existing business-critical .accdb apps

best at · OLTP, Embedded

DataEase1980s PC relational database and RAD tool, still sold today with builds for legacy DOS and Windows apps.
Microsoft AccessDesktop database and forms builder bundled with Microsoft 365; still everywhere in back offices.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
DataEase (Sapphire International)
Microsoft
First release
1981
1992
Latest version
LegEasy 9 LE9.7441 (pre-release) (Jul 17, 2026)
2024 (LTSC) / Microsoft 365 (Oct 1, 2024)
License
ProprietaryCommercial license
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
Free tier
—
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
6.6
45.8
Rank
#358
#37
GitHub stars
–
–
Stack Overflow questions
–
57.8K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
Single node, Client server
Embedded, Single node
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
✓
Edge
—
—
Clouds
–
–
capabilities
Transactions
—
✓
Joins
✓
✓
Secondary indexes
✓
✓
Full-text search
—
—
Vector search
—
—
Geospatial
—
—
JSON
—
—
Change data capture
—
—
Triggers
—
✓
Stored procedures
—
—
Materialized views
—
—
TTL / expiry
—
—
Pub/Sub
—
—
Columnar storage
—
—
In-memory
—
—
Durable persistence
✓
✓
Compression
—
—
Encryption at rest
—
✓
Role-based access
✓
—
Time travel
—
—
Branching
—
—
Online schema changes
—
—
Streaming ingest
—
—
Offline sync
—
—
Runs in WebAssembly
—
—
interfaces
Query languages
DQL
Access SQL (ACE/Jet SQL), VBA
Client languages
–
C#, VBA, Python, Java
Best for
OLTP
OLTP, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

DataEase vs Microsoft Access: FAQ

What is the difference between DataEase and Microsoft Access?

DataEase: 1980s PC relational database and RAD tool, still sold today with builds for legacy DOS and Windows apps. Microsoft Access: Desktop database and forms builder bundled with Microsoft 365; still everywhere in back offices. Only DataEase has role-based access. Only Microsoft Access has transactions, triggers, encryption at rest. Microsoft Access can run embedded in your application process.

When should I choose DataEase over Microsoft Access?

Choose DataEase for keeping legacy DataEase for DOS or Windows applications running and small departmental database applications built without coding. Choose Microsoft Access for small departmental tracking apps; front ends over SQL Server tables; and ad hoc data cleanup and reporting by analysts.

Is DataEase or Microsoft Access more popular?

Microsoft Access ranks #37 on the WhichDB Score (45.8/100) and DataEase ranks #358 (6.6/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are DataEase and Microsoft Access open source?

No. DataEase is proprietary, closed-source software. License: Commercial license. No. Microsoft Access is proprietary, closed-source software.