One of the programs that Windows users miss when Ubuntu arrives is a database similar to Microsoft Access. The Microsoft database has managed to gain a foothold among amateur programmers and among the business world, although it is true that Ubuntu has very good alternatives to Microsoft Access. In addition, with the latest advances in SQL Server on Linux, we can say that Access lovers will not have it very difficult in the future to switch to Ubuntu.
Then we go to count three alternatives that exist in Ubuntu and that we can install directly without external programs or terminal.
LibreOffice Base
The LibreOffice office suite not only has a word processor but it also has other applications such as a database or spreadsheet. LibreOffice Base is an application that will allow us to read Microsoft Access files although it does not have as many functions as the original Microsoft program. Although it is true that LibreOffice Base is one of the most comprehensive options for novice users.
Biscuits
Kexi was born as a program within the Calligra office suite. However, like Krita, Kexi has acquired its own identity and has become a powerful database. This database is not as visual as LibreOffice Base, but it is a good option to Microsoft Access. Microsoft Access files can be read and created databases can be exported to other supported formats. Kexi is also compatible with FileMaker software formats, a rival database to Microsoft Access.
MySQL and derivatives
The third option as a database is use more complex systems like MySQL, MariaDB or MongoDB. These databases are used for web applications, but they can do the same as Microsoft Access or even more. The problem with MySQL and derivatives is that they require a fairly high knowledge of databases. What's more we will need to have knowledge of html5 and css to create the final database. On the other hand, this option is not compatible with databases created with Microsoft Access, a snag for those who need to port data but useful if we want to create new databases. And these will be compatible with any operating system.
Conclusion on alternatives to Microsoft Access
As you can see, Ubuntu can offer the same as Windows or even better options. Needing a database like Microsoft Access is not an impediment to using Ubuntu because there are alternatives, alternatives just as good or more powerful than the Microsoft Office database itself.
In case someone needs it, I want to share that when I need to open an MDB file (from MS Access) in Ubuntu that they send me or I download from the network, the program "MDB Viewer" works "quite well" for me, if not I remember wrong it is in the official Ubuntu repository.
It is a bit rudimentary but it works and allows me to access the data tables (usually the only thing that interests me) and export them to more standard formats.
Regards!
Microsoft Access is not only tables, it is also an environment for developing applications. In that sense, LibreOffice or OpenOffice lack sufficient documentation to develop applications, as Microsoft Access has.
An option closer to Microsoft Access in Linux environments is Gambas:
http://gambas.sourceforge.net/en/main.html