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Claris FileMaker vs R:BASE

Claris FileMaker: Low-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris. R:BASE: Windows desktop relational database and 4GL app builder, sold continuously since the 1980s; now at R:BASE 11.

key differences

  • Transactions: Claris FileMaker offers limited ACID; R:BASE offers full.
  • Only Claris FileMaker has full-text search, vector search, encryption at rest.
  • Only R:BASE has stored procedures.
  • Claris FileMaker can run embedded in your application process.

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 r-base for

  • +Small-business and departmental line-of-business applications
  • +Maintaining long-running R:BASE applications
  • +Desktop data entry and reporting tools

best at · OLTP, Embedded

Claris FileMakerLow-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris.
R:BASEWindows desktop relational database and 4GL app builder, sold continuously since the 1980s; now at R:BASE 11.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
–
–
Type
Backend platform
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Claris International (Apple)
R:BASE Technologies, Inc.
First release
1985
1983
Latest version
2026 (26.0) (Jun 9, 2026)
11 Update 3 (11.0.3.20611) (Jun 11, 2026)
License
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
ProprietaryProprietary
Free tier
—
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
31.2
4.4
Rank
#80
#409
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
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
Client server, Embedded
Single node, 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)
SQL, R:BASE 4GL
Client languages
JavaScript, PHP, Python
–
Best for
OLTP, Content, Mobile/offline
OLTP, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Claris FileMaker vs R:BASE: FAQ

What is the difference between Claris FileMaker and R:BASE?

Claris FileMaker: Low-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris. R:BASE: Windows desktop relational database and 4GL app builder, sold continuously since the 1980s; now at R:BASE 11. Transactions: Claris FileMaker offers limited ACID; R:BASE offers full. Only Claris FileMaker has full-text search, vector search, encryption at rest. Only R:BASE has stored procedures.

When should I choose Claris FileMaker over R:BASE?

Choose Claris FileMaker for small-business CRM, inventory and job tracking; departmental apps in schools, labs and nonprofits; and iPad field data collection. Choose R:BASE for small-business and departmental line-of-business applications; maintaining long-running R:BASE applications; and desktop data entry and reporting tools.

Is Claris FileMaker or R:BASE more popular?

Claris FileMaker ranks #80 on the WhichDB Score (31.2/100) and R:BASE ranks #409 (4.4/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Claris FileMaker and R:BASE open source?

No. Claris FileMaker is proprietary, closed-source software. No. R:BASE is proprietary, closed-source software.