whichdb
vs

DataEase vs Claris FileMaker

DataEase: 1980s PC relational database and RAD tool, still sold today with builds for legacy DOS and Windows apps. Claris FileMaker: Low-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris.

key differences

  • Only Claris FileMaker has transactions, full-text search, vector search, triggers, encryption at rest.
  • Claris FileMaker can run embedded in your application process.

choose dataease for

  • +Keeping legacy DataEase for DOS or Windows applications running
  • +Small departmental database applications built without coding

best at · OLTP

choose filemaker for

  • +Small-business CRM, inventory and job tracking
  • +Departmental apps in schools, labs and nonprofits
  • +iPad field data collection
  • +Replacing spreadsheets with a shared, permissioned app

best at · OLTP, Content, Mobile/offline

DataEase1980s PC relational database and RAD tool, still sold today with builds for legacy DOS and Windows apps.
Claris FileMakerLow-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Backend platform
Status
Active
Active
Developer
DataEase (Sapphire International)
Claris International (Apple)
First release
1981
1985
Latest version
LegEasy 9 LE9.7441 (pre-release) (Jul 17, 2026)
2026 (26.0) (Jun 9, 2026)
License
ProprietaryCommercial license
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
Free tier
—
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
6.6
31.2
Rank
#358
#80
GitHub stars
–
–
Stack Overflow questions
–
1.3K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
Single node, Client server
Client server, Embedded
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
✓
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
✓
Edge
—
—
Clouds
–
–
capabilities
Transactions
—
✓
Joins
✓
✓
Secondary indexes
✓
✓
Full-text search
—
✓
Vector search
—
✓
Geospatial
—
—
JSON
—
—
Change data capture
—
—
Triggers
—
✓
Stored procedures
—
—
Materialized views
—
—
TTL / expiry
—
—
Pub/Sub
—
—
Columnar storage
—
—
In-memory
—
—
Durable persistence
✓
✓
Compression
—
—
Encryption at rest
—
✓
Role-based access
✓
✓
Time travel
—
—
Branching
—
—
Online schema changes
—
—
Streaming ingest
—
—
Offline sync
—
—
Runs in WebAssembly
—
—
interfaces
Query languages
DQL
FileMaker calculation and script language, SQL (ExecuteSQL, read-oriented)
Client languages
–
JavaScript, PHP, Python
Best for
OLTP
OLTP, Content, Mobile/offline
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

DataEase vs Claris FileMaker: FAQ

What is the difference between DataEase and Claris FileMaker?

DataEase: 1980s PC relational database and RAD tool, still sold today with builds for legacy DOS and Windows apps. Claris FileMaker: Low-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris. Only Claris FileMaker has transactions, full-text search, vector search, triggers, encryption at rest. Claris FileMaker can run embedded in your application process.

When should I choose DataEase over Claris FileMaker?

Choose DataEase for keeping legacy DataEase for DOS or Windows applications running and small departmental database applications built without coding. Choose Claris FileMaker for small-business CRM, inventory and job tracking; departmental apps in schools, labs and nonprofits; and iPad field data collection.

Is DataEase or Claris FileMaker more popular?

Claris FileMaker ranks #80 on the WhichDB Score (31.2/100) and DataEase ranks #358 (6.6/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are DataEase and Claris FileMaker open source?

No. DataEase is proprietary, closed-source software. License: Commercial license. No. Claris FileMaker is proprietary, closed-source software.