The verdict in three sentences
An MS Access to web migration costs 15,000 to 45,000 EUR excl. VAT for a French SMB in 2026, and 20,000 to 60,000 USD for SMBs in the US or UK, depending on database complexity (10 to 40 tables) and the number of forms and reports. Data migration, priced separately at 2,000 to 6,000 EUR, is the most underestimated item, because 15 years of data entry produce duplicates and inconsistencies. The real gain is not technical: it removes single-machine, single-person risk and opens multi-site and mobile access.
Why migrate now
Many SMBs (aerospace subcontractors, distributors, professional firms) rely on an Access database built by a former employee. It works, but on a single PC or a fragile network share, with no tested backup, no remote access, and nobody able to change it. Microsoft still ships Access in Microsoft 365, but the format was never designed for remote multi-user work.
| Risk of the current Access database | Likelihood | Typical impact |
|---|---|---|
| .accdb file corruption on a network share | High above 5 users | 1 to 5 days of downtime |
| Departure of the only person who understands it | High | Changes blocked |
| 2 GB per-file limit | Medium | Slowdowns, crashes |
| No mobile or multi-site access | Certain | Double entry, errors |
| Untested backups | Common | Data loss |
| No audit trail of changes | Certain | Audit and GDPR issues |
Cost by database size
Pricing depends mainly on three factors: the number of tables, the number of forms and reports, and the amount of VBA code carrying business logic. A 2 to 4 day audit (1,500 to 3,000 EUR) always precedes a serious quote.
| Database profile | Tables | Forms and reports | Migration cost (EUR, France) | Indicative cost (USD, US/UK) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | 10 to 15 | 10 to 20 | 15,000 to 22,000 | 20,000 to 30,000 | 3 months |
| Intermediate | 15 to 25 | 20 to 40 | 22,000 to 32,000 | 30,000 to 43,000 | 3 to 4 months |
| Complex | 25 to 40 | 40 to 80, heavy VBA | 32,000 to 45,000 | 43,000 to 60,000 | 4 to 5 months |
| Data migration (extra) | All | Cleaning, de-duplication | 2,000 to 6,000 | 2,500 to 8,000 | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Hosting and maintenance | 80 to 300 per month | 100 to 350 per month | Ongoing | ||
| User training | 800 to 2,000 | 1,000 to 2,500 | 1 to 3 days |
An alternative exists for small databases: move the data to SQL Server or PostgreSQL while keeping Access as the front end, for 4,000 to 8,000 EUR. It is an intermediate step, but it solves neither mobile access nor the dependence on one person's knowledge.
The method that limits risk
- Inventory: tables, queries, forms, reports, macros and VBA modules, with the users of each screen.
- Data cleaning: duplicates, text fields used as dates, missing keys.
- Model redesign: migration is the moment to fix design errors without changing business habits.
- Parallel run for 2 to 4 weeks, comparing key reports.
- Cutover on a Friday, with the Access database frozen read-only and archived.
Mini case study
Sophie, office manager at a farm equipment distributor in Toulouse (illustrative persona), uses an Access database of 22 tables and 35 forms to manage quotes, stock and after-sales service. Three people use it, and the two branches in Montauban and Albi phone in to check stock. Cost: audit 2,000 EUR, migration 28,000 EUR, data migration 4,000 EUR, training 1,200 EUR, or 35,200 EUR excl. VAT. Estimated gains: 6 hours a week of calls and re-entry avoided across three sites at 35 EUR an hour, or 10,920 EUR a year, plus removing downtime risk (a 3-day outage in 2025 cost roughly 8,000 EUR of delayed sales). Payback: 2 to 3 years, before counting new mobile uses.
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FAQ
How much does an Access to web migration cost in 2026?
In France, 15,000 to 45,000 EUR excl. VAT for 10 to 40 tables; in English-speaking markets, 20,000 to 60,000 USD. Add 2,000 to 6,000 EUR of data migration, and a 1,500 to 3,000 EUR audit for a firm quote.
How long does an Access migration take?
Plan for 3 to 5 months, including 2 to 4 weeks of parallel running. Databases heavy in VBA code sit at the top of the range.
Can we keep Access as the front end?
Yes, by moving only the data to a SQL server for 4,000 to 8,000 EUR. Stability improves, but you get neither mobile access nor independence from the original author.
Can 15 years of data all be recovered?
Yes in 95% of cases, but it needs cleaning: duplicates, dates typed as text, orphan references. That is what the 2,000 to 6,000 EUR data migration budget covers.
Should we buy an off-the-shelf ERP instead?
If your database replicates a standard process, an ERP at 50 to 150 EUR per user per month may be enough. If it carries specific business logic, a custom application is usually more profitable over 5 years.
Let's scope your project. Send us the number of tables, forms and users in your Access database: we will price the audit, migration, data transfer and cutover timeline. 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.