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Claris FileMaker alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Claris FileMaker: proprietary format and scripting create lock-in, and per-user subscriptions are expensive for larger teams. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Claris FileMaker, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Microsoft Access currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Microsoft Access logoMicrosoft AccessPaidNoWindows3 of 366.5
2Ninox logoNinoxFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, iOS4 of 462.6
3Tap Forms Pro logoTap Forms ProPaidNomacOS, iOS3 of 359.6
4Quickbase logoQuickbasePaidNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 457.2
5Airtable logoAirtableFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 453.6
6Microsoft Power Apps logoMicrosoft Power AppsPaidNoWeb, Windows, iOS +14 of 447.8
  1. Microsoft Access logo

    1. Microsoft AccessTop pick

    Best for: Windows offices maintaining existing Access databases or building local departmental tools

    PaidWindows

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Claris FileMaker

    Windows desktop database often already included in Microsoft 365.

    Pros

    • Complete relational database with forms, reports and VBA
    • Links to Excel, SharePoint and SQL Server data
    • Often already included in Microsoft 365 business plans

    Cons

    • Windows only, with no Mac or web version
    • Multi-user sharing over networks is fragile
    • Little new development compared with cloud tools
    Visit Microsoft Access Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft Access a good Claris FileMaker alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Current versions
    Access 2024 and Microsoft 365
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Templates
    Complete ready-made database apps
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Data import
    Copy, import or link from Excel and others
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Ninox logo

    2. Ninox

    Best for: European small businesses replacing Access or spreadsheets with a hosted database app

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Claris FileMaker

    Hosted database that began as a Mac and iPad app, at a lower price.

    Pros

    • Data hosted in Germany
    • Document templates for invoices and contracts built in
    • Native Mac and iOS apps alongside the web version

    Cons

    • Proprietary scripting language for advanced logic
    • Community and resources are stronger in German than English
    • AI usage is charged separately as credits
    Visit Ninox Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ninox a good Claris FileMaker alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ninox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    €25 per user/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ninox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    €40 per user/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ninox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Data location
    Germany
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ninox.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Tap Forms Pro logo

    3. Tap Forms Pro

    Best for: Apple users who want a private, offline database for personal or small-business records

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Claris FileMaker

    Inexpensive Apple-only database app for individuals and small teams.

    Pros

    • Data stays on your devices with your choice of sync
    • Custom layouts for each Apple device, including Apple Watch
    • Flexible field types, reports and scripting

    Cons

    • Apple platforms only
    • Subscription pricing after earlier one-off versions
    • No real-time multi-user collaboration
    Visit Tap Forms Pro Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Tap Forms Pro a good Claris FileMaker alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Platforms
    Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tapforms.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync options
    iCloud, Dropbox, WebDAV, nearby devices
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tapforms.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days (yearly plan)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tapforms.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Quickbase logo

    4. Quickbase

    Best for: Mid-size and large organisations replacing risky spreadsheets with governed operational apps

    PaidWeb, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Claris FileMaker

    Enterprise web platform for operational apps without desktop clients.

    Pros

    • Handles complex, multi-table operational apps at scale
    • Strong governance: permissions, sandboxes and audit logs
    • Industry templates for construction, manufacturing and safety

    Cons

    • Platform minimum fee makes it costly for small teams
    • Interface looks dated next to newer tools
    • Real pricing is only clear after talking to sales
    Visit Quickbase Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Quickbase a good Claris FileMaker alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbase.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    From $35 per user/month, billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbase.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    From $55 per user/month, billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbase.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platform minimum
    Applies on top of per-user cost
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbase.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Airtable logo

    5. Airtable

    Best for: Non-technical teams that want a flexible shared database with a large template and integration ecosystem

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Claris FileMaker

    Web-first and easier to share, if offline iPad use is not essential.

    Pros

    • Easy to learn for anyone comfortable with spreadsheets
    • Linked records, rollups and many views make real relational setups possible
    • Interfaces let you give colleagues tailored screens instead of raw tables
    • Large ecosystem of templates, integrations and community answers

    Cons

    • Per-seat pricing gets expensive as more people need edit access
    • Record and automation limits per base can force workarounds
    • No self-hosting option, so data lives only in Airtable's cloud
    Visit Airtable Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Airtable a good Claris FileMaker alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026airtable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    $20 per user/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026airtable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    $45 per user/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026airtable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Billing basis
    Per seat
    Checked Oct 25, 2026airtable.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Microsoft Power Apps logo

    6. Microsoft Power Apps

    Best for: Organisations on Microsoft 365 that want governed business apps built by IT and power users

    PaidWeb, Windows, iOS, Android

    47.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Claris FileMaker

    Low-code apps on Microsoft's cloud, with Android support.

    Pros

    • Deep integration with Microsoft 365, Teams and Dynamics
    • Hundreds of connectors and Dataverse storage
    • Strong governance through Microsoft admin tools

    Cons

    • Licensing is complicated and premium features cost extra
    • Canvas apps can be slow with large data
    • Little appeal outside the Microsoft ecosystem
    Visit Microsoft Power Apps Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft Power Apps a good Claris FileMaker alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Premium price
    $20 per user/month, paid yearly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Volume price
    $12 per user/month with 2,000-seat minimum
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Developer plan
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Extra database capacity
    $40 per GB/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Claris FileMaker alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Microsoft Access logo

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for most people

Microsoft Access

Windows desktop database often already included in Microsoft 365.

Ninox logo

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Ninox

Hosted database that began as a Mac and iPad app, at a lower price.

Tap Forms Pro logo

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for Mac

Tap Forms Pro

Inexpensive Apple-only database app for individuals and small teams.

Airtable logo

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for Windows

Airtable

Web-first and easier to share, if offline iPad use is not essential.

Quickbase logo

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for iPhone and Android

Quickbase

Enterprise web platform for operational apps without desktop clients.

Microsoft Power Apps logo

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for working in the browser

Microsoft Power Apps

Low-code apps on Microsoft's cloud, with Android support.

Claris FileMaker alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Claris FileMaker?

Microsoft Access ranks first right now. Windows desktop database often already included in Microsoft 365. Ninox and Tap Forms Pro follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Claris FileMaker?

Yes. Ninox (free plan + paid) and Airtable (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Claris FileMaker?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Claris FileMaker?

The complaints we hear most: proprietary format and scripting create lock-in; per-user subscriptions are expensive for larger teams; android is not supported natively.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Claris FileMaker, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.