Claris FileMaker vs Grist

Claris FileMaker

• Businesses that need custom apps shaped around their own workflows
• Teams split between Mac and Windows desktops and iPhones or iPads
• Organizations that want to host their apps on their own servers

Grist

• Spreadsheet users who have outgrown a single sheet and need linked tables
• Teams that must limit what each collaborator can see in one document
• Organizations that want to self-host open-source software
• People comfortable writing Python in formulas

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.

Grist

• Records per document are capped at 5,000 on Free, 100,000 on Pro and 150,000 on Business.
• Business has a 5-user minimum, and Automations and priority email support start on that plan.
• On Grist's own servers, custom SSO, a custom domain and audit log streaming are listed under Enterprise only.
• The desktop app is a separate open-source build for Windows, macOS and Linux that works on spreadsheets stored locally.

Claris FileMaker

Drag-and-drop app design

Layouts are built with design tools and built-in templates, and prebuilt add-ons drop in charts, calendars, kanban boards and activity timelines.

Script Engine

Predefined script steps, script triggers and calculation functions automate workflows and data processing without a traditional programming language, including scripts that run on the server.

Cross-platform clients

Apps open in FileMaker Pro on Mac and Windows, in FileMaker Go on iPhone and iPad, and in Safari, Chrome or Microsoft Edge through FileMaker WebDirect.

Cloud or self-hosted

FileMaker Cloud runs on AWS and backs up data changes every 20 minutes, keeping backups for 30 days. FileMaker Server hosts the same apps on an organization's own infrastructure.

APIs and external data

The FileMaker Data API and OData expose app data to other services, ODBC and JDBC are supported, and live two-way connections reach MySQL, Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.

AI integration

Scripts and APIs connect apps to AI services to automate tasks, analyze data and generate content. FileMaker 2026 added Google Gemini as a provider and semantic search enhancements.

Grist

Relational spreadsheet documents

A Grist document is a relational spreadsheet-database with multiple tables, stored in SQLite format. Linked widgets pull up the details and related records of a selected row.

Python and Excel-style formulas

Formulas can be single or multi-line Python with the full standard library available, and most Excel-like spreadsheet functions are supported as well.

Granular access rules

Rules decide who can see or edit individual tables, columns, records and cells, so one document can be shared in part with team members, guests or public links.

Custom layouts, charts and widgets

Pages are arranged by dragging tables, cards and charts into place. Summary tables work as pivot tables, and custom widgets show data on a map or calendar.

Forms

Forms and surveys are built from a table and shared with a link, and the responses are analyzed in the same document as they arrive.

AI Assistant

Answers questions about data and formulas in plain language and can create or modify records and formulas. Usage is metered in credits, with extra packs from $10 a month on paid plans.

Claris FileMaker

• FileMaker Server Starter$17.50

  per user / month, billed annually; 5 to 99 users

  Self-hosted: FileMaker Pro, Go and WebDirect for every user, up to 3 on-premise servers and 5 active Claris Connect flows.

• FileMaker Cloud Starter$22

  per user / month, billed annually; 5 to 10 users only

  Hosted by Claris: 3 apps, 2 GB of data storage per user per year with no upgrades, and 5 active Claris Connect flows.

• FileMaker Server Max$22

  per user / month, billed annually; 5 to 99 users

  Self-hosted and bought through sales: the same client access on up to 3 on-premise servers, with 50 active Claris Connect flows.

• FileMaker Cloud Max$45

  per user / month, billed annually; 5 to 99 users

  Hosted by Claris: 256 apps, 6 GB of data storage per user per year with upgrades available, and 50 active Claris Connect flows.

• FileMaker Pro single license$625

  per license; no billing period is shown in the Claris Store

  A single FileMaker Pro license for an individual who does not need to share data with others. An Upgrade option exists for owners of FileMaker Pro 2024 or later.

Grist

• Free$0

  Unlimited documents with up to 5,000 records each, 10 team members, 30 days of snapshot history and 100 one-time AI Assistant credits.

• Grist Community edition$0

  Free and open-source edition hosted on your own server, with community support, custom domain and custom branding.

• Pro$8

  per user / month, billed annually ($10 billed monthly)

  Up to 100,000 records per document, snapshot history going back 3 years and AI Assistant credits starting at 100 a month.

• Business$24

  per user / month, billed annually ($30 monthly); min. 5 users

  Up to 150,000 records per document, 5 years of snapshot history, 2,000 AI Assistant credits a month, Automations and priority email support.

• Grist (self-hosted)$24

  per user / month, billed annually ($30 billed monthly)

  Self-hosted edition with admin controls, the AI Assistant, Automations, custom SSO and audit log streaming, sold without support.

• EnterpriseCustom

  A dedicated server in a chosen region, or a supported self-hosted installation, with custom SSO, custom domain and audit log streaming.

Claris FileMaker

No public discounts listed.

Grist

• Annual discount

  Save 20% by paying annually

  Pro is $8 per user a month billed annually against $10 billed monthly, and Business is $24 against $30.

• Nonprofit

  50% off Pro for nonprofits

  Non- and not-for-profit organizations are eligible for a 50% discount on the Pro plan, requested by emailing a Letter of Determination before the free trial ends.

• Other savings

  Free activation key for small self-hosters

  Individuals and organizations with less than $1 million in total annual income may request a free activation key for self-hosted Grist.