Microsoft Access

Desktop database management system for creating apps and reports.

MIXEDAnalytics

Pricing

Paid

Learning curve

Moderate

Time to value

Days

BEST FORSoloSmall Team

WORKS FOR

Running a business without hiring a developer, Creating simple database applications for office work

KEY INSIGHT

It empowers non-technical users to build databases but often results in fragile, unmaintainable solutions.

DOESN'T WORK FOR

Creating robust, scalable database applications (implied by 'hacks')

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What people reported, in their own words. Every line links to where it was said.

“I single-handedly produced more actual tangible business value with Microsoft Access than anything else since”
POSITIVE · performance · Hacker News · 2026-05-25
“my microsoft access skills (which were amazing back in the day...)”
LUKEWARM · Hacker News · 2026-04-17
“janky, held-together-with-duct-tape-and-bubblegum distributed app written in Microsoft Access”
NEGATIVE · Hacker News · 2025-02-03
“Microsoft Access made it accessible enough that I was confident enough to produce value even knowing nothing about how to think like a software engineer”
POSITIVE · ease of use · Hacker News · 2024-12-31
“I built an SQL Query generator for them in Microsoft Access, that built (based on their selections) and showed (and allowed them to directly edit) the resulting SQL query. They were then able to cut/paste and save the queries that they liked, and build new ones on the fly.”
POSITIVE · features · Hacker News · 2024-07-28