Alternatives · Spreadsheets
Claris FileMaker alternatives
Claris FileMaker compared with 7 alternatives: Microsoft Access, Airtable, Ninox, Baserow, Grist and 2 more.
Claris FileMaker is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users). 5 of the 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claris FileMakerThis tool | Free trial · from $17.50/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Microsoft Access | Free trial · from $9.99/mo | Trial only | Windows |
| Airtable | Free plan · from $20/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Ninox | Free plan · from $31/mo | Yes | Web |
| Baserow | Free plan · from $10/mo | Yes | Web |
| Grist | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Memento Database | Free plan · from $6/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Tap Forms Pro | Free trial · from $1.99/mo | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
How each one differs from Claris FileMaker
- Free trial · from $9.99/mo
Microsoft Access
Windows desktop database app sold with Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users).
- Only Claris FileMaker lists a web app.
- Only Claris FileMaker lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Microsoft Access can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Claris FileMaker is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Small businesses building their own database apps on Windows PCs
- Free plan · from $20/mo
Airtable
Relational database platform for building team workflows and apps
- Airtable starts at $20 per seat / month, billed annually ($24 billed monthly). Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users).
- Airtable has a free plan. Claris FileMaker does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Airtable lists an Android app.
- Claris FileMaker is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Airtable also covers calendar, kanban boards and Gantt & timelines.
Suits: Teams that want to shape a database into their own project tracker
- Free plan · from $31/mo
Ninox
AI-assisted low-code platform for custom business software
- Ninox starts at $31 per user / month, billed annually ($36 billed monthly). Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users).
- Ninox has a free plan. Claris FileMaker does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Claris FileMaker lists macOS, Windows and iOS apps.
- Claris FileMaker is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Claris FileMaker also covers reports.
Suits: Businesses building their own CRM, inventory or invoicing tools
- Free plan · from $10/mo
Baserow
Open-source no-code database and application builder
- Baserow starts at $10 per user / month, billed yearly. Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users).
- Baserow has a free plan. Claris FileMaker does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Claris FileMaker lists macOS, Windows and iOS apps.
- Baserow is open source, according to its own site.
- Baserow also covers no-code.
Suits: Teams that want an Airtable-style database they can host themselves
- Free plan · from $8/mo
Grist
Open-source relational spreadsheet with Python formulas
- Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually. Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users).
- Grist has a free plan. Claris FileMaker does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Grist lists a Linux app.
- Only Claris FileMaker lists an iOS app.
- Grist is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Spreadsheet users who have outgrown a single sheet and need linked tables
- Free plan · from $6/mo
Memento Database
No-code database app for phones and desktops with offline use
- Memento Database starts at $6 per month, billed annually ($8 billed monthly). Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users).
- Memento Database has a free plan. Claris FileMaker does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Memento Database lists Android and Linux apps.
- Only Claris FileMaker lists a web app.
- Claris FileMaker is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Collecting data in the field on a phone without a connection
- Free trial · from $1.99/mo
Tap Forms Pro
Personal database app for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
- Tap Forms Pro starts at $1.99 per month, or $12.99 per year (iOS only, Individual License). Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users).
- Only Claris FileMaker lists a web app.
- Only Claris FileMaker lists a Windows app.
- Claris FileMaker is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Tap Forms Pro also covers templates.
Suits: Mac, iPhone and iPad users who want a personal database
Limits worth knowing in Claris FileMaker
- There is no free plan: after the 45-day trial, team licenses start at 5 users and are billed annually.
- FileMaker Cloud Starter is limited to 5 to 10 users, 3 apps and 2 GB of data storage per user per year, with no upgrades.
- Native clients cover Mac, Windows, iPhone and iPad; other devices reach apps through a web browser with FileMaker WebDirect.
- Remote Backup and Standby Server are paid add-ons for FileMaker Server; Claris says Remote Backup is not available for FileMaker Cloud.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Claris FileMaker?
The alternatives to Claris FileMaker in this directory are Microsoft Access, Airtable, Ninox, Baserow, Grist, Memento Database and Tap Forms Pro. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Claris FileMaker.
Is there a free alternative to Claris FileMaker?
Yes. Airtable, Ninox, Baserow, Grist and Memento Database have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Claris FileMaker alternatives work on Linux?
The Claris FileMaker listing does not include a Linux app. Grist and Memento Database list one.
Which Claris FileMaker alternatives work on Android?
The Claris FileMaker listing does not include an Android app. Airtable and Memento Database list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Claris FileMaker?
Baserow and Grist are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.