I've used Trimble Access but never Field Link. For what I do (construction layout) Field Link might be enough. I have to do some reading of course and figure that out. For now I'm wondering if they are similar. Similar to say AutoCAD LT being a de-featured version of AutoCAD. Or does it feel like a program created by a totally different company (ala SCS900)?
I have never used field link. Trimble Access and Survey Controller before Access was released. Good luck. I guess if all you are doing is layout and it has all the options and computation functions one needs it would probably come down to cost between the two. I am sure the local dealer would give you a DEMO probably could be loaded on same data collector possibly you already have so you can see how it fits into the overall workflow.
It feels like a program created by a totally different company. It is definitely not for surveyors. For layout only, it is a great program. Easy to create geometry and points in the field. They have a traverse module and recently added a coordinate system manager to work in state plane using GNSS. You can only run Trimble branded Robots and GNSS units, no Spectra gear or Nikon total stations. There is a scanning module that lets you use a X7 or X9 in field link as well. I do the Field Link Scan module training for our company, but don't do much with anything else in it.