The FileMaker platform is much more than a database application. It is a complete platform composed of desktop and mobile clients, server technologies, development tools, APIs, web publishing components, and security mechanisms.
This page provides an overview of the principal FileMaker and Claris technologies, with links to more detailed definitions.
The FileMaker Platform
- FileMaker Custom App
A database application containing its data structure, layouts, scripts, security settings, and usually the data itself. - FileMaker Pro
The macOS and Windows application used to create, modify, and run FileMaker custom apps. - FileMaker Go
The FileMaker client for running custom apps on iPhone and iPad. - FileMaker Server
The server software used to securely host and share FileMaker custom apps. - FileMaker WebDirect
A FileMaker Server technology that allows users to access a custom app through a web browser. - Web Viewer
A FileMaker layout object used to display web content and integrate HTML, JavaScript, maps, documents, and other browser-compatible technologies.
The Claris Ecosystem
- Claris Platform
The broader Claris product ecosystem built around application development, integration, and collaboration. - Claris Connect
A cloud integration platform used to automate workflows between FileMaker and other online services. - Claris Community
The official community where FileMaker users, developers, partners, and Claris employees exchange information and expertise. - Claris Academy
Claris’s learning platform, providing free training courses and certifications. - Claris Marketplace
A directory of FileMaker-related products, services, consultants, plug-ins, and ready-made applications.
FileMaker Server Technologies
- FileMaker Server on Linux
The Linux version of FileMaker Server, currently based on Ubuntu and historically also available for CentOS. - Remote Backup
A Claris add-on introduced with FileMaker 2026 for off-site backups, which are already included with fmcloud.fm. - Standby Server
A Claris add-on introduced with FileMaker 2026 to keep a secondary server synchronized with the primary server. - FileMaker Server Script Engine
The FileMaker Server component responsible for executing compatible FileMaker scripts on the server. - Script Schedules and Script Sequences
Server programs used to execute FileMaker scripts or system-level tasks automatically. - Perform Script on Server – PSoS
A FileMaker script step that delegates the execution of another script to FileMaker Server. - FileMaker Server Admin API
An API used to monitor, configure, and administer FileMaker Server programmatically. - FileMaker Server Command-Line Interface – CLI
The command-line tool used to administer FileMaker Server locally or through a remote terminal. - Two-machine deployment
A FileMaker Server configuration that distributes server and web-publishing components across two machines. - Web Publishing Engine
The FileMaker Server component that processes requests for FileMaker WebDirect and Custom Web Publishing. - HTTP Server
The web-facing component used by FileMaker Server to receive and route HTTP and HTTPS requests. - Web Server
The Apache, IIS, or Nginx software that handles web traffic associated with FileMaker Server. - OttoFMS
A deployment and automation tool for managing FileMaker Server and FileMaker custom apps.
APIs and Data Integration
- OData API
A standards-based interface for accessing FileMaker data without requiring third-party developers to understand FileMaker layouts. - FileMaker Data API
A REST API that allows external applications to read and modify FileMaker data using JSON. - Custom Web Publishing — CWP
A collection of technologies for building custom web interfaces connected to FileMaker Server, including the XML interface and PHP-based solutions. - ODBC and JDBC
Standard database interfaces through which FileMaker can act as a data source or communicate with external SQL databases.
Development Tools and Extensibility
- FileMaker Developer Tool
A command-line utility for automating selected development and deployment operations on FileMaker files. - FileMaker Data Migration Tool
A command-line tool used to migrate data from a production FileMaker file into an updated clone. - Claris FileMaker Upgrade Tool
A tool that helps identify and resolve compatibility issues when upgrading FileMaker custom apps. - Custom Functions
Reusable calculation functions created by developers to centralize and simplify FileMaker calculation logic. - FileMaker Plug-ins
Software extensions that add functions and integration capabilities to FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server. - iOS App SDK
A development toolkit used to package a FileMaker custom app as a standalone native iOS application.
Security and Authentication
- FileMaker File Encryption
Encryption at Rest protects a FileMaker database if the physical.fmp12file or one of its backups is copied, stolen, or accessed without authorization. - FileMaker Secure Container Storage
Secure storage encrypts documents, images, and other container data stored outside the FileMaker database file. - OAuth, external authentication, LDAP, SSO, 2FA and MFA
Authentication technologies used to connect FileMaker access to external identity providers and centralized user directories. - Privilege Sets and Extended Privileges
FileMaker security mechanisms that determine what users can access and which sharing technologies they may use.
Discontinued and Historical Technologies
The FileMaker platform has evolved continuously for several decades. The following discontinued technologies may still appear in older applications, documentation, or infrastructure.
- Bento
A discontinued personal database application for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. - FileMaker Mobile
An early mobile version of FileMaker that allowed databases to be synchronized with handheld devices. - FileMaker Pro Advanced
A former edition of FileMaker Pro whose advanced development features are now included in the standard FileMaker Pro application. - Instant Web Publishing
A discontinued technology that automatically generated browser-based interfaces for FileMaker databases. - Web Companion
An early FileMaker plug-in that allowed databases to be published on the Web. - Claris Studio
A discontinued Claris cloud service that provided web forms, spreadsheet-style views, and cloud-based data collection.
