All developed databases are utilized in order to store and secure data which is made in synchronization directly using a server to retrieve it quickly. Databases also serve as an online and web inventory where software companies locked it with high security to avoid unsecured access.
In line with the immense development of software databases, data management has also made to make sure that there is quick access from one server to the other. Also, one database management that was built is a web-based integrated database where it can also serve multiple users.
So, in the course of choosing the best database management system to use, what are the common features you need to look at as a user? Let’s take a look at the differences between the two most common database management system which works best by considering all its aspects. Let’s see who works better, the Microsoft Access or the File Maker Pro?
Microsoft Access V.S FileMaker Pro
Let’s define what is Microsoft Access and a FileMaker Pro.
Microsoft Access
It is a database management system that is partly available of the Microsoft Office suite. It is an affiliation on the Jet database engine that originally supports all Microsoft programs like PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc. It is an excellent front-end application that gets back-end application support from all databases like Sybase, Oracle, etc.
It has a sizing disk of 160MB and has allowable Sharepoint server access of around 1TB. On the other hand, a single file is only allowed to have a 2GB storage.
FileMaker Pro
Did you know that a FileMaker was supposedly to be a Microsoft Office database management tool; however, Apple acquired and bought it to be part of a word-processing suite. A FileMaker is one of the trendiest software developed for database management using an MS-DOS program but being run by Mac platform.
The FileMaker Pro comes with a GUI-interface with an easy drag-and-drop selection which can make data management easier. Also, availability comes in numerous platforms but mostly iOS databases. You will be able to connect the FileMaker Pro to all SQL databases.
On the other hand, Apple had made several updates for this software and help you manage data is a lesser way. One of the major updates developed is the Popover button that pops automatically in which the user can tap and click it. Also, this software has 26 MB disk and has a total capacity of 8TB for a single file. Lastly, you have three versions to choose which comes in FileMaker WebDirect, FileMaker Pro Advanced, and FileMaker Pro.
The Difference in the Operating Platform
The Microsoft Access is commonly called as Access which is fitted to run all Microsoft Windows which of course adapt easily to MS suites. On the other hand, the FileMaker Pro comes in a cross-platform database management system which is congruent to work with OS X, iOS, and Windows.
The Difference in Data Building
In a Microsoft Access database management software, you have the ability to include a particular number of objects like queries, reports, forms, tables, data access page, module, and macros. It also uses a VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) that serves as its development language.
On the contrary, FileMaker Pro comes in different kind of objects like layouts with summaries, plug-ins built to databases, scripts, and common layouts too. The FileMaker Pro utilizes third-party plugins and scripts to be able to access the database.
The Difference in the Number of Users
In a Microsoft Access, it can concurrently support up to 255 users; however, The FileMaker Pro through conjunction with FileMaker Server may support an entire 250 users all at once.
The Difference in the Number of Modes
The Access comes in an Automated Safe mode which detects necessary problems between the user-initiated mode and the file which enable the file to run even it is corrupted. On one hand, The FileMaker Pro is made up of three modes which include the browse view that displays records, design view that lets you edit the layout, and the find view that lets you search for records.
The Difference in Security
All Microsoft Access files may be transferred securely to a Microsoft SQL server. It initiates an added lock through a security workgroup using a username and a password. Conversely, the FileMaker Pro has an AES-256 bit of encryption that secures data on a user’s desktop or server.
The Difference in the Cost
If you are looking forward to using a Microsoft Access database management software, you may get all the benefits of this software for $6.9 monthly subscription or for $69.99 annually. For a single household user, it costs $9.99 monthly and $99.99 yearly. Lastly, for business owners and users, it costs $5 for Office 365 Business Essential Application, $12.50 monthly for Office 365 Premium, and $8.25 for Office 365 Business.
In contrast, the FileMaker Pro comes in a $9 monthly subscription for single use. If you are going to use a FileMaker Pro Advanced software, you will be charged $15 monthly every year. Lastly, if you would like to utilize the services of FileMaker WebDirect, it charges around $54 monthly which can cater 5 users and around $279 to serve 50 users.
Takeaway
Ideally, if you are a filemaker developer who wants to look at the advantages of a FileMaker Pro you will find out that you can freely access a FileMaker Server after paying a license for the FileMaker Pro. Moreover, you also have the possibility of running a business solution using a FileMaker Go App.
While this may be true for FileMaker Pro database management software, the Microsoft Access is one hand available to all programmers who utilized all MS Office applications. Hence, with the difference laid out above for both Access and FileMaker Pro, it will still be up to you which database management server you’re going to choose considering what works best for your organization.