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Claris FileMaker vs Valentina Server

Claris FileMaker: Low-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris. Valentina Server: Paradigma Software's multi-engine server: ValentinaDB, DuckDB and SQLite plus report and form servers.

key differences

  • Transactions: Claris FileMaker offers limited ACID; Valentina Server offers full.
  • Only Claris FileMaker has full-text search, vector search, triggers, role-based access.
  • 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 valentina-server for

  • +ISVs shipping a database and reporting server with their app
  • +Serving DuckDB or SQLite files to networked clients
  • +Xojo desktop and web applications

best at · OLTP, OLAP, Embedded

Claris FileMakerLow-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris.
Valentina ServerParadigma Software's multi-engine server: ValentinaDB, DuckDB and SQLite plus report and form servers.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
–
Object
Type
Backend platform
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Claris International (Apple)
Paradigma Software
First release
1985
2001
Latest version
2026 (26.0) (Jun 9, 2026)
18.2.1 (Sep 29, 2026)
License
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
ProprietaryCommercial
Free tier
—
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
31.2
1.5
Rank
#80
#545
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
Client server, Single node
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
Client languages
JavaScript, PHP, Python
Xojo
Best for
OLTP, Content, Mobile/offline
OLTP, OLAP, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Claris FileMaker vs Valentina Server: FAQ

What is the difference between Claris FileMaker and Valentina Server?

Claris FileMaker: Low-code database app builder for Mac, Windows, iPad and web, owned by Apple's Claris. Valentina Server: Paradigma Software's multi-engine server: ValentinaDB, DuckDB and SQLite plus report and form servers. Transactions: Claris FileMaker offers limited ACID; Valentina Server offers full. Only Claris FileMaker has full-text search, vector search, triggers, role-based access. Claris FileMaker can run embedded in your application process.

When should I choose Claris FileMaker over Valentina Server?

Choose Claris FileMaker for small-business CRM, inventory and job tracking; departmental apps in schools, labs and nonprofits; and iPad field data collection. Choose Valentina Server for ISVs shipping a database and reporting server with their app; serving DuckDB or SQLite files to networked clients; and xojo desktop and web applications.

Is Claris FileMaker or Valentina Server more popular?

Claris FileMaker ranks #80 on the WhichDB Score (31.2/100) and Valentina Server ranks #545 (1.5/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Claris FileMaker and Valentina Server open source?

No. Claris FileMaker is proprietary, closed-source software. No. Valentina Server is proprietary, closed-source software. License: Commercial.