Claris FileMaker vs Tap Forms Pro

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

Tap Forms Pro

• Mac, iPhone and iPad users who want a personal database
• Keeping records on your own devices rather than on a vendor's servers
• Former Bento users: Bento data can be imported on the Mac

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.

Tap Forms Pro

• Tap Forms Pro is sold by subscription only; the vendor says there is no lifetime option at this time.
• The vendor lists only Apple platforms: Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
• The Mac and iOS apps are licensed separately unless you choose the combined iOS and macOS subscription.
• The AI form generator works only with your own ChatGPT or DeepSeek API key.

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.

Tap Forms Pro

Custom forms and layouts

Forms are built with the app's design tools or imported from a template library, and custom layouts for Mac, iPhone and iPad are arranged by drag and drop.

Local storage with optional sync

Data is stored locally on each device. Documents sync between devices and with other people through iCloud, including different Apple IDs, Dropbox, WebDAV or nearby devices.

Report generator

Reports and PDFs are customized and printed from report layouts designed in Tap Forms Pro for Mac.

Saved searches, tags and pick lists

Records are organized with colored tags, saved searches that show their match counts, records pinned to the top, and cascading pick lists with several levels of values.

Scripting and Shortcuts

A JavaScript script editor with code snippets and breakpoints automates work across forms. Scripts can run AppleScript, and Shortcuts can run scripts and control the app.

AI form generator

Entering a form name and description generates the form and its fields as a starting point. The feature needs your own ChatGPT or DeepSeek API key.

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.

Tap Forms Pro

• iOS, Individual License$12.99

  per year, or $1.99 per month

  Tap Forms Pro for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch for one person.

• iOS, Family License$14.99

  per year, or $2.99 per month

  The iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch apps on the devices of all Family Sharing members.

• macOS, Individual License$44.99

  per year, or $4.99 per month

  Tap Forms Pro for Mac for one person, without the iOS apps.

• macOS, Family License$49.99

  per year, or $5.99 per month

  The Mac app on the devices of all Family Sharing members, without the iOS apps.

• iOS and macOS, Individual License$49.99

  per year, or $5.99 per month

  The Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch apps for one person under a single subscription.

• iOS and macOS, Family License$59.99

  per year, or $8.99 per month

  The Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch apps on the devices of all Family Sharing members.

Claris FileMaker

No public discounts listed.

Tap Forms Pro

• Annual discount

  Yearly subscriptions cost less than monthly

  The Individual License is $12.99 a year against $1.99 a month on iOS, $44.99 against $4.99 on macOS, and $49.99 against $5.99 for both, a saving of about 25% to 46%.

• Other savings

  Upgrade offers for Tap Forms 5 owners

  People who bought Tap Forms 5 within 6 months of installing Tap Forms Pro are offered 6 months free; earlier App Store buyers are offered a discount on their first year.