Sql server vs MS Access performance. Ill answer the question directly, but first it is important to know a few things about Access and SQL. In general, I have found that a small database with up to 1. K records will perform equally well on both Access or SQL if all machines have reasonable hardware. Access has a benefit for simplicity for a small number of users, up to 4, but also has a size limitation of 2. GB. So you need to be careful that the database size stays below this limit. Some databases start small, but then have a way of growing over time. Something to keep in mind when planning for the future of your program andor database. If you are might approach the 2. GB the limit, one option is to use Microsoft SQL Server 2. Is your organization trying to select a SQL Server edition Robert Sheldon explains the pros and cons of SQL Server Standard Edition in this section of a series on. Microsoft SQL Server Express Version Comparison Matrix and Free Downloads. Microsoft SQL Server is an enterprise quality database management system thats usually. SQL Server articles, scripts, and discussion groups. Introduction. With the release of SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 1 the InMemory ColumnStore technology is now also available in the Standard, Web and even Express and. Express edition which has a database size limit of 1. GB. SQL Express is full SQL, but with size limitations. Full blown SQL Server 2. 3D Qsar Software As A Service. PB 5. 24,0. 00,0. GB. So it would be fair to say it has no practical limit. If your database has more than 1. K records and especially for larger databases of 1. K records or more, SQL can demonstrate significant performance gains. Some performance with MS Access can be achieved by using Pass through queries as can any program that uses SQL optimized queries. Why The answer comes from how the technology works under the hood. With Access, if it not using Pass through queries it will read an entire table, find which records it needs and then show the result. Image878.gif' alt='Sql Server 2005 Developer Vs Standard Edition' title='Sql Server 2005 Developer Vs Standard Edition' />With a program using SQL optimized queries, the SQL engine returns just the results in a very efficient manner. At the end of the day, if you have a small lt 1. SQLServerDa1.png' alt='Sql Server 2005 Developer Vs Standard Edition' title='Sql Server 2005 Developer Vs Standard Edition' />K record database used by up to 4 people, MS Access might make sense. If you have plans that the database could grow to more than 1. K records or be used by more than 5 users, SQL would be the logical choice. Sql Server 2005 Developer Vs Standard Edition' title='Sql Server 2005 Developer Vs Standard Edition' />Specifically for the question posed about a 5. K record database. I think if you have reasonable hardware, generally SQL will perform better, if you have a unique situation such as lower hardware on the SQL server a move to Access could see some improvements.