Grist vs Claris FileMaker

Grist9.2Visit Claris FileMaker8.5Visit

Higher score Grist #2 in No-Code Database Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Grist

vs

Claris FileMaker #8 in No-Code Database Software 8.5/10 45-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Try Claris FileMaker

• Grist fits best

  Open-source teams needing advanced database controls

• Claris FileMaker fits best

  Organizations needing a mature custom database platform

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Side by side

Feature	Grist 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Claris FileMaker 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.5
Ranking	#2 in No-Code Database Software	#8 in No-Code Database Software
Best for	Open-source teams needing advanced database controls	Organizations needing a mature custom database platform
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$8/user/mo	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	30 days	45 days
Free trial length	30 days	45 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Integrations	5 integrations	7 integrations
Features Grist 5/5 · Claris FileMaker 5/5
Relational data	✓	✓
Permission controls	✓	✓
App interface builder	✓	✓
Workflow automation	✓	✓
API access	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment	Both	Both
Record limit	5000 records	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Relational tables, formulas, dashboards, forms, and custom layouts Granular row-, column-, and cell-level access rules Cloud, desktop, API, and self-hosted deployment options	Relational modeling supports complex one-to-one and many-to-many data. Role-based privileges control access to records, fields, layouts, and scripts. Deploy through cloud, self-hosting, desktop, mobile, web, and APIs.
Cons	Free documents are limited to 5,000 records each Business requires a minimum of five users Community edition includes community support	There is no free plan. The entry price is $39 per user per month with annual billing. Cloud Starter is limited to three hosted apps and five active flows.
Our verdict	Grist combines spreadsheet-style editing with relational tables, linked records, forms, dashboards, charts, pivot tables, and custom layouts. It is designed for individuals and teams that need to turn structured data into no-code… Read the review →	Claris FileMaker is a low-code platform for building custom, database-backed business applications. It suits organizations that need tailored operational software instead of a fixed application, particularly teams managing structured… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Grist — where it wins

  • Relational tables, formulas, dashboards, forms, and custom layouts
  • Granular row-, column-, and cell-level access rules
  • Cloud, desktop, API, and self-hosted deployment options

  Where it doesn't

  • Free documents are limited to 5,000 records each
  • Business requires a minimum of five users
  • Community edition includes community support

• Claris FileMaker — where it wins

  • Relational modeling supports complex one-to-one and many-to-many data.
  • Role-based privileges control access to records, fields, layouts, and scripts.
  • Deploy through cloud, self-hosting, desktop, mobile, web, and APIs.

  Where it doesn't

  • There is no free plan.
  • The entry price is $39 per user per month with annual billing.
  • Cloud Starter is limited to three hosted apps and five active flows.

• Grist9.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A flexible open-source database builder with strong controls and a generous free tier.

  Visit GristFull verdict →
• Claris FileMaker8.5/10 · 45-day trial

  A mature custom database platform with broad deployment, automation, and access controls.

  Try Claris FileMakerFull verdict →