What is Claris FileMaker used for?

Claris FileMaker is a platform for building custom database apps that run on desktop, web and iOS, with hosting in the cloud or on your own servers. It is a good fit for custom business databases for small firms, mobile data capture on iPads and departmental tools replacing spreadsheets.

How much does Claris FileMaker cost?

Paid plans for Claris FileMaker start at $19 per seat per month, and there is no free plan. A free trial is available.

Is Claris FileMaker open source?

No. Claris FileMaker is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Claris FileMaker include Budibase, NocoBase and REI3.

Can I self-host Claris FileMaker?

Yes. Although Claris FileMaker is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers, and the vendor also offers a hosted version.

What are some alternatives to Claris FileMaker?

Claris FileMaker competes with Ninox, Quickbase and Microsoft Power Apps. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Claris FileMaker alternatives.

Claris FileMaker: features, pricing and alternatives

About Claris FileMaker

Claris FileMaker is a long-standing commercial platform for creating custom database applications. Developers and technically minded business users design layouts, scripts and relational data models, and the resulting solutions run on desktop computers, in a web browser and on iPhones and iPads.

The product line includes FileMaker for building apps, Claris Connect for integrating other tools, FileMaker Cloud for managed hosting and FileMaker Server for teams that prefer to host on their own infrastructure. The vendor now describes AI features and an agentic development approach. FileMaker is aimed at small businesses, departments and consultants, and it offers a way to start for free.

Key features

Relational database app design
Apps for desktop, web and iOS
FileMaker Cloud managed hosting
FileMaker Server for self-hosting
Claris Connect for integrations
AI features for app development

Good fit for

→Custom business databases for small firms
→Mobile data capture on iPads
→Departmental tools replacing spreadsheets

Tags: low-code; database-apps; filemaker; claris; ios; custom-apps; self-hosted

Claris FileMaker: questions and answers

What is Claris FileMaker used for?: Claris FileMaker is a platform for building custom database apps that run on desktop, web and iOS, with hosting in the cloud or on your own servers. It is a good fit for custom business databases for small firms, mobile data capture on iPads and departmental tools replacing spreadsheets.
How much does Claris FileMaker cost?: Paid plans for Claris FileMaker start at $19 per seat per month, and there is no free plan. A free trial is available.
Is Claris FileMaker open source?: No. Claris FileMaker is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Claris FileMaker include Budibase, NocoBase and REI3.
Can I self-host Claris FileMaker?: Yes. Although Claris FileMaker is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers, and the vendor also offers a hosted version.
What are some alternatives to Claris FileMaker?: Claris FileMaker competes with Ninox, Quickbase and Microsoft Power Apps. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Claris FileMaker alternatives.