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It's a split decision.
Claris FileMaker is a custom business-app platform with cloud and on-prem hosting options. Gadget is a JavaScript platform that combines web-app development and hosting, including a backend, database, API and React frontend. Choose FileMaker when your team needs tailored business workflows, Claris Connect integrations or FileMaker Server. Choose Gadget when developers want Node.js backend actions, React interfaces, built-in API connections and a free plan. Gadget’s runtime and FileMaker’s migration fit both deserve a review before you commit.
01Side by side
| Claris FileMaker | Gadget | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Annual per-user subscriptions; perpetual single-user license | Monthly plans; custom Enterprise pricing |
| Free tier | No free plan; 14-day Cloud trial | Free Hobby plan with usage limits |
| Self-hosting | FileMaker Server supports on-prem hosting | Enterprise offers BYOC on GCP or AWS |
| API and SDKs | Integrations; API and SDK specifics not published | Node.js API actions; custom API; React frontend |
| Integrations | Claris Connect; third-party integrations included | Shopify, BigCommerce, APIs and webhooks |
| Deployment model | Claris Cloud or on-prem FileMaker Server | Hosted platform; Enterprise BYOC option |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Limits and scaling | User, app, storage and API-transfer limits | Seat, CPU-hour, storage and environment limits |
Claris FileMaker Choose Claris FileMaker if
- Choose Claris FileMaker if you need on-prem hosting.
- Choose Claris FileMaker if business teams need custom workflow apps.
- Choose Claris FileMaker if Claris Connect flows fit your integrations.
Gadget Choose Gadget if
- Choose Gadget if you build web apps in JavaScript.
- Choose Gadget if a free plan suits your project’s starting needs.
- Choose Gadget if you want hosted backend, database and React frontend.
02Pricing at real usage
Gadget has a free Hobby plan with two seats maximum, one production environment, 10 CPU hours and 0.5 GB data storage. Pro is $35 per month and includes 10 seats, 30 CPU hours and 3 GB; Premium is $350 per month with 25 seats, 150 CPU hours and 15 GB. Extra production environments cost $10 each per month on paid plans, while additional data storage is $1.50 per GB per month. Claris has no free plan, but lists 14-day Cloud and 45-day Server and Pro trials. Its subscriptions are billed annually: Server Starter is $17.50 per user per month, Cloud Starter $22, Server Max $22 and Cloud Max $45. Cloud storage and API transfer are plan-limited. FileMaker Pro’s single license is $625 once; subscription billing is not monthly.
03API, SDKs and integration
Gadget combines a hosted backend, database, custom API and frontend. Developers build backend API actions in Node.js, create scheduled tasks and background jobs, and build custom interfaces with React. Its API connections support third-party services, webhooks and dataset syncs; the listed connections include Shopify and BigCommerce. Gadget’s resources include docs, tutorials, templates, a changelog and status page. Claris focuses on custom business apps and integrations: Claris Connect automates workflows, and Claris says integrations with third-party apps, software and tools are included with a FileMaker license. Its product set includes FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server and FileMaker Cloud. Claris’s homepage does not specify API protocols, SDKs, supported programming languages or a CLI. For either platform, confirm the specific API, authentication and data-sync requirements against the vendor’s current documentation before designing the integration.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Neither vendor publishes an open-source licence on the vendor's site covered here. FileMaker supports on-prem deployment through FileMaker Server, as well as Claris-hosted Cloud plans. Gadget is a hosted development and runtime platform; its Enterprise plan lists bring-your-own-cloud options on GCP or AWS, but that is not the same as a published self-hosted distribution. Gadget’s review flags dependence on its runtime, so assess how application logic, data and deployment would move if you left. Claris’s review advises checking integration and migration fit before building around it. Neither vendor’s pages cited here specify data-export formats or migration procedures. Before choosing, ask both vendors how to export schema, records, files and application logic, and test whether those exports can be used outside the platform.
Questions people ask
Does FileMaker Pro still exist?
Yes. FileMaker Pro is listed as a current product, included with FileMaker Server plans and available as a single license. The single-user license is listed at $625 as a one-time purchase and does not include server hosting.
Will FileMaker Pro work on Windows 11?
Claris’s homepage and pricing details do not specify Windows 11 compatibility. Check Claris’s current system requirements and supported-platform documentation before deploying, especially if your team depends on a particular Windows release or device configuration.
What is the most recent version of FileMaker Server?
Claris’s homepage and pricing details do not identify the latest FileMaker Server version. Check Claris’s current product documentation or release notes for the version number and support status before planning an upgrade.
Is FileMaker Pro secure?
The Claris homepage and pricing details covered here do not describe FileMaker Pro’s security controls. Review Claris’s current security documentation and confirm authentication, access controls, encryption and update procedures against your deployment requirements.