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

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Ninox	Free plan + paid	No	Web, macOS, iOS	4 of 4	62.6
2	Airtable	Free plan + paid	No	Web, Windows, macOS +2	4 of 4	53.6

1. NinoxTop pick
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)
2. 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)

The best Claris FileMaker alternative for…

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

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for most people

Microsoft Access

Windows desktop database often already included in Microsoft 365.

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.

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for Mac

Tap Forms Pro

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

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for Windows

Airtable

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

Best Claris FileMaker alternative for iPhone and Android

Quickbase

Enterprise web platform for operational apps without desktop clients.

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.