If you found this page, you're probably trying to solve a problem with a legacy Access database — and you've seen both LegacyLeaps and AccessLeap mentioned. They sound similar and they're built by the same company, but they solve different problems. This guide explains the difference and helps you pick the right tool for your situation.
| LegacyLeaps | AccessLeap | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Converts .mdb → .accdb (keeps it in Access) | Converts Access schema → modern web app |
| End result | Your database, in a modern file format | A new web application replacing Access |
| Learning curve | None — users keep using Access | New interface for all users |
| Timeline | Hours to days | Days to weeks |
| Risk level | Low — format change only | Medium — platform change |
| Right for | Format compatibility problems, Windows/Office upgrade | Long-term platform modernization, multi-user web access |
LegacyLeaps converts your Access .mdb file to the modern .accdb format. Your database stays in Microsoft Access. Your VBA code, forms, queries, macros, linked tables, and ActiveX controls are preserved and working in the converted file.
Users don't change what they do. The only thing that changes is the file format — from the legacy binary .mdb (which uses the Jet 4.0 engine, deprecated since Office 2007) to the modern .accdb (which uses the ACE engine, supported on all current Windows and Office versions).
Use LegacyLeaps when:
What LegacyLeaps does not do:
AccessLeap reads your Access database schema and uses AI to generate a modern web application with your data structure, relationships, and business logic reimplemented in a modern stack. The result is a web app your team can use from any browser — no Access installation required.
Privacy-first: AccessLeap analyzes your schema, not your data. Your actual rows never leave your machine.
Use AccessLeap when:
What AccessLeap does not do:
Start with the LegacyLeaps free scan. It shows you what's in your .mdb file — complexity, VBA code, linked tables — and helps you understand whether you need a quick format fix or a full modernization.
Try the Free ScanThese two products are not mutually exclusive. A common and practical path:
Separating the urgent problem (format compatibility) from the strategic decision (platform modernization) is almost always the right call. Making a platform migration decision under pressure — because something is broken and users are complaining — leads to poor choices and rushed implementations.
Fix the format problem today. Plan the platform modernization when you have space to do it right.
If your .mdb database is actively broken and users are blocked, LegacyLeaps is the right first step. Start with the free scan, see exactly what the migration involves, and get back to working in hours — not weeks.
If you're unsure whether your issue is a format problem (LegacyLeaps) or a platform problem (AccessLeap), ask yourself:
| Symptom | Likely solution |
|---|---|
| Database worked fine last month, now throws errors after an OS or Office upgrade | LegacyLeaps — format/engine compatibility issue |
| VBA macros throwing compile errors or "missing reference" warnings | LegacyLeaps — VBA compatibility issue after format/OS change |
| Linked table connections failing to other databases or ODBC sources | LegacyLeaps — engine change affecting driver compatibility |
| Error 3343 "unrecognized database format" or "unrecognized database engine" | LegacyLeaps — Jet/ACE engine version mismatch |
| Database works fine but can only be used on one machine with Access installed | AccessLeap — platform limitation, not a format problem |
| Need multiple users to work simultaneously, Access is showing conflicts | AccessLeap — Access multi-user limitations, not a format issue |
| Organization wants to move off Microsoft Office entirely | AccessLeap — strategic platform decision |
Practical fixes for legacy Excel and Access problems. No spam.