Claris FileMaker Reviews & Product Details

I find Claris FileMaker fairly easy to develop in, and I can go from 0 to 60 pretty fast with nice, professional-looking results. I don’t have to learn a complete programming language. The graphic interface and drag-and-drop features make it intuitive and Mac-like. I use it to help end users create consistent, neatly organized, complete contracts that print out and are searchable, and to schedule customer activities and create invoices and payment forms for contractors. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The biggest problem I’m having with Claris FileMaker is that the price keeps going up. It has doubled in five years, and the cost of getting started can be prohibitive for a small business. The program changes every year, but it only maintains a three-year backward compatibility window, so customers are forced to buy expensive upgrades regularly or fall behind. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Now at approaching 30 years working in the platform, the latest version, 2026, includes new features that make my life easier, and provides a foundation for new AI intergrations that will completely change the way I do my work. I'll be able to focus on my favorite parts, understanding the client's needs and responding to their concerns, while the model does the coding. Coming soon, and built on the foundation of FMP 2026. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I said ever-growing before, and it still is! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like the flexibility of Claris FileMaker. I also appreciate how it's possible to integrate with nearly everything if you take the time to learn it. The Insert from URL script step is particularly useful as it allows the use of APIs from many vendors. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find some of the design tools in Claris FileMaker weak. Using some of the modern web assets results in a better interface. There are third-party workarounds that provide this today and promises from Claris that these features will be in future releases. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Powerful function scripts to automatize tasks and the use of AI to complex searches Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Nothing. I love Claris FileMaker and it could be cheaper Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like how Claris FileMaker has allowed us to create our own software solution, which has been really beneficial in saving us time and money. The platform has a ton of support to help us along the way, and building a solution is quick and easy, letting us avoid the bloat and issues of other solutions. Setting up Claris FileMaker is also pretty easy. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It has a steep learning curve when first starting out if you are not familiar with software development. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I use Claris FileMaker for an app that manages our inventory, creation of repair tracking, and archiving. I also appreciate it for API calls to Mosyle. Claris allowed us to create an interactive platform for many users to input data. I like the ease of design ability and breadth of options. It's easy to create buttons, prompt windows, and well-designed features for our users. The initial setup of Claris FileMaker was simple. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Sometimes the knowledge base or learning of Claris is hard. It involves very in-depth coding without simplification for the designer or manager on site. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Claris FileMaker is a powerful and flexible tool that truly supports cross-platform development for custom database applications. Its speed and ease of implementation make it an excellent choice for managing complex data in a range of sectors, such as research, academia, and finance. Beyond simple data management, it can function as a central data hub for organizations by integrating smoothly with existing databases. Whether for daily administrative tasks or strategic data analysis, FileMaker applications can become an essential part of a user's everyday workflow. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

As long as Claris keeps investing in FileMaker Web Direct and the server, making web application development easier and staying current with performance and web technologies, I find there is nothing to dislike about FileMaker. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

manage all the database, task, report together Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

very great system for production, research, quality control and financial Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

If you're thinking about the ease of use your customers for your customers FileMaker is for you. It's really intuitive to use especially when doing queries / searches. It gives them the ability to easily access and process their own data.

This is on top of how easy it is to develop and implement solutions. If you need support then it's easy to train others to help you develop.

The team at FileMaker are constantly adding new features to the software. The software has been around for over 40 years and is supported by Apple so you know it will be around for a long while. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I used to not like the yearly update cycle but that has been changed to updates made throughout the year which I prefer. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I developed my first Filemaker database 1979 for my first business a recruitment company. That FM-v0 was developed on a MacPlus which had an orange screen and was ex the DevTeam.

While we now longer have a Recruitment business in our group of companies - I have developed custom FM data bases for each of our subsequent businesses - through 4 x Construction & Development companies to Business Consulting.

Those FM solutions have covered Scheduling / staff timing/task recording - and in case of Business Consulting a CRM database with 800+ fields of information ...

Best FM feature -- that you can literally add fields/features into a live FM Served database without any disruption to standard Users -- other than maybe for layout changes. What this has meant to our business - is that a new 'need' can you 'prototyped' and 'tested' live -- and either adopted or adapted --- this is a huge time-saver!! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

As long as Claris continues to offer & support FM Server that we can run internally on our own MacMini Server - with external VPN access when needed --- then there is absolutely nothing to dislike about Filemaker.

Note : historically there were changes on ownership - and emphasis on (only) cloud-based external Servers which we found unsettlingly !!

Remember : Many many users of Filemaker must have (presumedly) embraced the ease of creating and growing their own databases and related functionality ...

This feels possibly unique in the databaseApp world .. so please never lose sight of Filemaker's uniqueness !! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.