Access Database Migration Cost—Pricing by Destination, Not One Flat Number
How much it costs to migrate an Access database depends on where you are going: SQL Server upsizing is not the same job as a Power Apps rebuild or a custom JavaScript app.
Serving businesses across the United States
Quick Answer
Access database migration cost typically ranges from about $1,500–$8,000 for a focused SQL Server upsizing, $2,500–$12,000 for MySQL/PostgreSQL backend moves, $8,000–$35,000 for Power Apps services (plus Microsoft licensing), and $15,000–$75,000+ for full .NET, JavaScript, Python, or PHP web rebuilds. We bill from $90/hour and convert that into a fixed-scope quote after a free assessment.
Also called: Access migration pricing, cost to convert an Access database, Access to SQL Server migration pricing, or how much it costs to migrate Access. Same question — answered by destination below.
Get a Fixed-Scope Migration Quote
Tell us your Access size, form count, and target destination. We reply with the cost band that fits — not a fake one-size price.
Migration Cost by Destination
Ranges are professional services for typical US departmental projects. Hosting and Microsoft licenses are extra. Compare process detail on the Access database migration hub.
| Destination | Typical services | Timeline | What that buys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to SQL Server migrationSQL Server (on-prem / linked Access front end) | $1,500–$8,000 | 1–4 weeks | SSMA/upsizing path; forms often keep working via linked tables. |
| Azure SQL / cloud SQL | $2,000–$10,000 | 1–4 weeks | Same technical migration as SQL Server plus cloud networking, firewall, and identity setup. Azure usage is billed by Microsoft separately. |
| Access to MySQL migrationMySQL (backend / ODBC-aware move) | $2,500–$12,000 | 2–5 weeks | Schema + data + validation. Does not include a full PHP/UI rebuild. |
| PostgreSQL (backend) | $2,500–$12,000 | 2–6 weeks | Similar effort to MySQL; stricter types often add cleanup hours. Web UI rebuild priced separately. |
| Access to Power Apps migrationPower Apps (+ Dataverse or SQL) | $8,000–$35,000 | 3–8 weeks | Form rebuild + data model. Power Apps/Dataverse licenses billed by Microsoft — not included in services range. |
| Dataverse (data platform focus) | $6,000–$30,000 | 3–8 weeks | Entity remapping and security roles. Often paired with Power Apps screens (then use the Power Apps band). |
| Access to Node.js web appNode.js / React web app | $15,000–$75,000 | 6–16 weeks | Full application rebuild — not a table export. |
| Access to Python web appPython web app (Django / Flask) | $15,000–$75,000 | 6–16 weeks | Full application rebuild with a real database backend. |
| Access to .NET web app.NET / ASP.NET web application | $15,000–$80,000+ | 6–16+ weeks | Full rebuild; upper end rises with integrations, roles, and report volume. |
| Access to PHP/MySQL web appPHP web application | $15,000–$70,000 | 6–16 weeks | Usually pairs with MySQL/PostgreSQL. UI rebuild dominates cost vs the DB move alone. |
| Excel to Access conversionExcel → Access conversion | $1,500–$8,000 | 1–3 weeks | Spreadsheet-to-Access, not Access leaving Access. |
Multi-module or multi-tenant products can exceed the upper bands — we flag that in the assessment instead of sandbagging a low quote.
What Moves You Between Cost Bands
- Keeping Access forms (linked tables) vs rebuilding every screen
- VBA volume — especially business rules buried in form events
- Attachment, OLE, and multi-value fields that need a new storage design
- Data cleanup (duplicates, orphan keys, inconsistent types)
- Integrations, SSO, and reporting packs that must work on day one
- Microsoft Power Platform or Azure consumption (separate from our invoice)
Ready for a number that fits your file?
Send the Access database (or a sanitized copy). We map it to a destination band from the table above and return a fixed-scope quote — no obligation.
Request a free cost assessmentAccess Migration Cost: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to migrate an Access database?
It depends on the destination. A small-to-mid Access to SQL Server upsizing commonly lands around $1,500–$8,000. MySQL or PostgreSQL backend moves often run $2,500–$12,000. Power Apps rebuilds commonly fall in the $8,000–$35,000 services band (plus Microsoft licensing). Full JavaScript, Python, PHP, or .NET web rebuilds typically start around $15,000 and can reach $75,000+ for complex apps. There is no honest single flat price for every Access migration.
What is Access to SQL Server migration pricing?
Most small-to-mid SQL Server migrations we run fall in the $1,500–$8,000 range at $90/hour, with a fixed-scope quote after assessment. Cost rises with table count, data cleanup, VBA that must become stored procedures, and any front-end rebuild beyond linked tables. See our Access to SQL Server migration service for the full process.
Why is a web app rebuild more expensive than migrating to SQL Server?
SQL Server upsizing often keeps your Access forms via linked tables — you are mainly moving the engine. A JavaScript, Python, PHP, or .NET rebuild recreates every screen, report path, and VBA rule in new code. Labor hours track UI and business logic, not just ETL, so the services range is an order of magnitude higher for the same underlying data.
Does migration cost include Microsoft or cloud licensing?
No. Our ranges are professional services. SQL Server, Azure SQL, Power Apps, and Dataverse licenses or cloud consumption are billed by Microsoft (or your host). We size those early so total cost of ownership is visible before you approve a build.
What drives Access migration cost up or down?
Form and report count, VBA density, Attachment/OLE fields, data-quality cleanup, concurrent-user requirements, integrations, and whether the Access UI can stay temporarily. A clean 20-table backend move is cheap compared with 80 forms and undocumented macros.
Do you offer fixed-price Access migration quotes?
Yes after a free assessment. We bill from $90/hour and convert the inventory into a fixed-scope quote whenever the destination and object list are clear enough to bound risk. Open-ended hourly is reserved for discovery spikes, not surprise mid-project expansion.
Can I lower cost by migrating in phases?
Often yes. Many teams upsize to SQL Server or MySQL first (lower band), keep Access forms briefly, then budget a Power Apps or custom web UI as phase two. Phasing reduces big-bang risk and spreads spend — as long as phase one is designed so phase two is not a rewrite of the data model.
Is the free assessment really free?
Yes. You share the Access file (or a sanitized copy), we inventory objects and recommend a destination band from the table on this page, and you get a written scope and quote with no obligation to proceed.
Got a problem we can help with?
Book a free 30-minute call. Tell us what you're dealing with and we'll tell you how we'd approach it.