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Claris FileMaker vs PocketBase

Claris FileMaker: Low-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris. PocketBase: Open-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI.

key differences

  • Licensing: Claris FileMaker is proprietary (Proprietary commercial license); PocketBase is open source (permissive) (MIT License).
  • Transactions: Claris FileMaker offers limited ACID; PocketBase offers full.
  • Only Claris FileMaker has full-text search, vector search, encryption at rest.
  • Only PocketBase has geospatial, json, pub/sub, online schema changes.

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

choose pocketbase for

  • +MVPs and indie SaaS backends
  • +Internal tools and admin panels
  • +Mobile app backends with auth and file uploads
  • +Self-hosted alternatives to Firebase for small apps

best at · OLTP, Content, Pub/Sub

Claris FileMakerLow-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris.
PocketBaseOpen-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
–
Document
Type
Backend platform
Backend platform
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Claris International (Apple)
Gani Georgiev
First release
1985
2022
Latest version
2026 (26.0) (Jun 9, 2026)
0.41.0 (Oct 2026)
License
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
Open source (permissive)MIT License
Free tier
—
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
31.2
32.0
Rank
#80
#74
GitHub stars
–
61.6K
Stack Overflow questions
1.3K
68
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Limited
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
Client server, Embedded
Single node, Embedded, Client server
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
FileMaker calculation and script language, SQL (ExecuteSQL, read-oriented)
PocketBase filter syntax, SQL (via hooks)
Client languages
JavaScript, PHP, Python
JavaScript, Dart
Best for
OLTP, Content, Mobile/offline
OLTP, Content, Pub/Sub, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Claris FileMaker vs PocketBase: FAQ

What is the difference between Claris FileMaker and PocketBase?

Claris FileMaker: Low-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris. PocketBase: Open-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI. Licensing: Claris FileMaker is proprietary (Proprietary commercial license); PocketBase is open source (permissive) (MIT License). Transactions: Claris FileMaker offers limited ACID; PocketBase offers full. Only Claris FileMaker has full-text search, vector search, encryption at rest.

When should I choose Claris FileMaker over PocketBase?

Choose Claris FileMaker for small-business CRM, inventory and job tracking; departmental apps in schools, labs and nonprofits; and iPad field data collection. Choose PocketBase for MVPs and indie SaaS backends; internal tools and admin panels; and mobile app backends with auth and file uploads.

Is Claris FileMaker or PocketBase more popular?

PocketBase ranks #74 on the WhichDB Score (32.0/100) and Claris FileMaker ranks #80 (31.2/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Claris FileMaker and PocketBase open source?

No. Claris FileMaker is proprietary, closed-source software. Yes. PocketBase is open source. License: MIT License.