The verdict in three sentences
Migrating an MS Access application to a web application costs between USD 16,500 and 44,000 (EUR 15,000 to 40,000) in 2026, depending on the number of tables (20 to 60) and the complexity of forms and reports. The project takes 10 to 16 weeks and ends three concrete risks: file corruption, the concurrent user ceiling and dependence on a single in-house developer. A 15-year-old Access database used by 12 people is the typical case where migration pays for itself through fewer incidents alone.
Why an Access database becomes a risk
Access has served SMBs well: quotes, job tracking, inventory, scheduling. But beyond 5 to 10 concurrent users on a network share, locks and corruption multiply. The file caps at 2 GB, remote access goes through costly remote desktop, and the VBA code is often understood only by the person who wrote it. When they retire, the company inherits a black box.
| Risk | Current Access database | Web application |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent users | 5 to 10 before slowdowns | Practically unlimited |
| Maximum size | 2 GB per file | Hundreds of GB |
| Backup | Manual file copy | Automatic, daily, 30-day history |
| Remote access | Remote desktop or VPN | Browser, mobile, with authentication |
| Per-user permissions | Limited | Roles and audit log |
| Dependency | 1 in-house developer | Documented code, replaceable vendor |
| Privacy compliance | Hard to demonstrate | Configurable traceability and purge |
Cost by database size
Price depends less on record count than on the number of tables, forms, printed reports and business rules hidden in macros and VBA. A 3 to 5 day audit, billed USD 2,200 to 4,400, inventories all of this before a firm quote.
| Database profile | Tables | Forms and reports | 2026 budget (USD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small business database | 15 to 20 | 10 to 20 | 16,500 to 22,000 | 10 weeks |
| Mid-size database | 20 to 35 | 20 to 40 | 22,000 to 31,000 | 12 weeks |
| Complex database with dense VBA | 35 to 60 | 40 to 80 | 31,000 to 44,000 | 14 to 16 weeks |
| Preliminary audit | Any size | Full inventory | 2,200 to 4,400 | 1 week |
| Hosting and maintenance | Any size | Monitoring, updates | 165 to 500 per month | Ongoing |
The four-step method
Step one, the audit: map tables, relationships, queries, macros and reports, then interview users to sort out what is really used (often 30% of screens are dead). Step two, design a clean PostgreSQL database and a web interface covering key screens, with pilot users. Step three, migrate data through scripts, rehearsed three times before cutover. Step four, cut over on a Friday evening, with Access switched to read-only and kept 3 months for reference. The two tools never run side by side in write mode, which avoids double entry.
Mini case study
Isabelle, operations director of a 35-person wine import SMB in Montreal, relies on a 15-year-old Access database (42 tables) used by 12 people for orders, allocations and invoicing. She suffers 2 corruptions a month on average, each blocking the team for 3 hours: 12 people x 3 h x 24 incidents = 864 hours lost per year, about USD 33,000 at a loaded USD 38 per hour. The migration is quoted at USD 32,000, audit included, plus USD 330 a month for hosting and maintenance, USD 36,000 in year one. Incident savings alone pay back the project in about 13 months, and the in-house developer's retirement, due in 18 months, is no longer a threat.
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FAQ
How much does an Access to web migration cost in 2026?
Between USD 16,500 and 44,000 depending on tables, forms and VBA density. A small 20-table database starts around USD 16,500.
How long does the project take?
10 to 16 weeks, audit included. The cutover itself happens over a weekend, with no downtime during business hours.
Do we keep historical data?
Yes, all 15 years of history are migrated by scripts and checked with record counts and total reconciliations. Access stays available read-only for 3 months.
Can we keep Excel for some exports?
Yes, the web app offers Excel and CSV exports on every list and can generate the same PDF reports as Access.
What about privacy compliance?
The application adds an access log, role-based permissions and purge rules, making it easier to demonstrate compliance with Quebec Law 25 and PIPEDA.
Let's scope your project. Send us your number of tables, users and a screenshot of the main screens: we price the migration, between USD 16,500 and 44,000, with a 10 to 16 week plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
