Claris FileMaker vs Microsoft Access

Airtable

MySQL

Microsoft SQL Server

Odoo 

MongoDB

SQLite

Compare Claris FileMaker and Microsoft Access based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Odoo is an all-in-one, open-source business platform covering CRM, Sales, Accounting, Inventory, Manufacturing, and Projects. It’s fully integrated, customizable, and scalable for companies of any size or budget.

Airtable is an AI-native platform for building enterprise-grade applications without code. The platform enables teams to create custom business workflows with embedded AI agents. Airtable combines relational databases, automation capabilities, and customizable interfaces to help organizations streamline operations across departments including marketing, product development, and finance.

SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDMS) designed to help businesses of all sizes analyze structured or unstructured data across various data environments including Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, MySQL, and more.

Claris FileMaker is a custom application development platform that allows businesses to create unique applications that can be deployed in the cloud or on-premise. It provides features such as scripts, triggers, and graphical design tools to help tailor applications to business needs.

Access Controls/Permissions

Agile Methodologies

Application Management

Audio File Management

Backup and Recovery

Batch Processing

Billing & Invoicing

Budget Management

Business Process Automation

Calendar Management

Calendar/Reminder System

Charting

Client Portal

Code Development

Code Editing

Collaboration Tools

Collaborative Development

Compatibility Testing

Contact Database

Contact Management

Content Management

Content Publishing Options

Custom Development

Customizable Branding

Customizable Fields

Customizable Forms

Customizable Templates

Data Dictionary Management

Data Import/Export

Data Migration

Data Modeling

Data Replication

Data Storage Management

Database Conversion

Debugging

Deployment Management

Design Management

Document Classification

Document Management

Electronic Forms

File Sharing

For Developers

Forms Automation

Forms Creation & Design

Full Text Search

Gantt/Timeline View

Graphical User Interface

Graphical Workflow Editor

Idea Management

Image Editing

Integrated Development Environment

Integrations Management

Interaction Tracking

Issue Management

Iteration Management

Kanban Board

Lead Management

Milestone Tracking

Mobile Access

Mobile Development

No-Code

Performance Analysis

Performance Monitoring

Portfolio Management

Pre-built Templates

Prioritization

Process Modeling & Designing

Project Management

Project Planning/Scheduling

Prospecting Tools

Relational Database Management

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting/Project Tracking

Requirements Management

Resource Management

Risk Management

Role-Based Permissions

Rules-Based Workflow

Sales Pipeline Management

Search/Filter

Segmentation

Shared Contacts

Software Development

Task Management

Template Management

Templates

Testing/QA Management

Text Editing

Third-Party Integrations

Time & Expense Tracking

Traditional Methodologies

Version Control

Video Support

Visual Modeling

Web App Development

Web/Mobile App Development

Workflow Management

Claris FileMaker

Android

Linux

Web-based

Windows

iPad

iPhone

Technical Director

Integrating FileMaker in other applications or a custom applications is hard and frustrating. The documentation of its API is hard to read and integrations with Claro Connect are limited.

IT Manager;;;;;;;;;;;

The ability for FileMaker to talk to anything else on the internet is just amazing. It has help our business grow quickly without the overhead and everyone just loves what it can do.

System Engineer

It can integrate with nearly any web service that has a Rest API. FileMaker has a fantastic community of developers that are willing to share and help each other.

R&D Manager

We have dashboards for departments to only show what they need and it is very helpful. Windows and apple products both can be used on the same database, which is awesome.

Technical Engineer

The easy and stable way to use it and improve it daily, as you want.

Freelance Graphic Designer

I instantly fell in love with this humble but powerful software.

Co-Founder

Filemaker has allowed me to create what I need myself. Without hiring or outsourcing, I was able to save a great deal of money.

Corporate Account Representative 

My favorite part about this software is the amount of things you can accomplish using it.

IT Manager

If it's SQL there doesn't seem to be a problem but to other ODBC access such as Microsoft Access (.accdb files) the access seems to be a bit more difficult.

Administrative Assistant

One of the best softwares I have used. Intuitive and user friendly.

Associate Attorney

FileMaker is full of impactful features, including the ability to low code just about anything you need for your business. Integration into the current business process was as seamless as could be.

Director of Operations

Support on the phone told us to disregard these mails, and, lo and behold, the service was in fact terminated in spite of our months of trying to pay them.

Founder and CEO

But year by year it got more difficult to keep up with it's upgrades and changes. Finally, we abandoned it for a mix of integrated special-purpose tools that do what we want.

Attorney

Excellent customer support and a vast library of online k knowledge and solutions.

Executive Director

We also add new solutions and making processes more efficient on a daily basis. The point is that the investment in Filemaker for the past 30 years at this company has been completely worth the cost.

Account Director

I have found FileMaker to be very user friendly. It bridges the needs between our customer viewed data and our manufacturing needs.

Intern

Overall, I would recommend this, as it creates a sleek file database.

consultant

Much different software integrate very easily with Filemaker. Filemaker is a dream to work with.

Claris FileMaker screenshot: FileMaker app creation

Claris FileMaker screenshot: FileMaker custom design example

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Non Profit

Small Business

MySQL is a relational database management system (RDBMS) designed to help businesses record, update, and manage data and deploy cloud-native applications. Features include data masking and de-identification, multi-document transaction support, intrusion detection, alerts & configuration management.

SQLite is an open-source database engine designed to help organizations store, retrieve, and modify data across web browsers, iOS and Android mobile devices, and other applications. The built-in C-language library lets users implement compact, self-reliant, and secure transactional database engines.

AI demands adaptability. MongoDB offers flexible, scalable, AI-ready data solutions, eliminating friction and accelerating innovation.

Microsoft Access is a database management system that provides intuitive application development tools to create functional database apps in any format.

Activity Dashboard

Data Connectors

Data Visualization

Real-Time Monitoring

Reporting & Statistics

Microsoft Access

Team Lead

Microsoft Access is a database management solution that is among the best. It has a very good user interface and is very easy to use.

Management

I am very impressed about the reliability in handling regular size databases, and the best part is that you can write your own SQL commands.

Audit Assistant

The ability to mine through data through the use of simple queries came in handy. Additionally, through the use of primary keys, duplications were next to impossible which was super helpful.

System Administrator

It's good for translating raw data into insights with its great Data mining features. I can use queries to query any criteria specified based on what I'm using the information for.

Student

Microsoft Access sometimes have illogical errors and to solve them I have to reopen it.

University Professor

The full and perfect integration with all the other Microsoft products, like Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Software Developer

There is also a massive user interface with all the different features that MS Office products usually have - to some advanced users the potential of fine tuning may be an advantage.

Senior Strategic Planning Analyst

I like Access for its ability to store data in a localized way. Access obviously comes with many editions of Microsoft Office, so it's readily "accessible" and generally understandable.

I've used it over and over again. My favorite thing about this software is that it's easy to use, especially for beginners who want to start learning how to report for Data Management.

The most annoying feature is that each object needs to be closed before you edit anything. Why they couldn't have engineered it to just update the object/table regardless is a mystery to me.

Additionally, I appreciated the app's integration with other Microsoft Office products, such as Excel and PowerPoint.

Senior Planner

Have been using Microsoft Access as a part of the Microsoft suite, so the software is definitely tailored to such a scenario. Would appreciate if AI was also considered in version upgrades.

Account Manager

Inexpensive in relation to other systems and also offers the free option.

Senior Software Developer

Really it works well only as a small desktop style database or a quick and dirty front end on SQL Server.

Program Manager

When programing, it can be a bit difficult for beginners.

Internal Audit Officer

Microsoft Access provides an economical and efficient method for storing your data. Users can manipulate and organize date by creating tables and queries to suit business needs.

Claris FileMaker vs Microsoft Access Comparison (2026)

Claris FileMaker

Microsoft Access

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives