FileMaker Server Remote Backup is an optional service introduced with FileMaker Server 2026. It automatically copies hosted FileMaker databases to cloud storage managed by Claris.
The purpose of Remote Backup is to maintain a copy of your databases outside the infrastructure running FileMaker Server. If the original server, storage system, or data center becomes unavailable, the remote copy can be used to recover the databases.
Remote backups are an important complement to FileMaker Server’s local backups. Local backups provide rapid recovery from everyday problems, while remote backups protect against incidents affecting the entire server or location.
How does FileMaker Server Remote Backup work?
Once Remote Backup has been configured, FileMaker Server automatically copies databases that have changed to a remote drive every 20 minutes.
The remote storage is created and managed through Claris Customer Console, while the connection and backup operations are managed from FileMaker Server Admin Console.
Remote Backup does not require a separate storage provider, custom scripts, plug-ins, or manually maintained cloud credentials.
The service provides several ways to browse and recover backups:
- Backups listed chronologically
- Backups grouped by hosted file
- Backups of files that have been removed from the server
- Preserved backups that are excluded from automatic deletion
- Restoration directly to FileMaker Server
- Preparation and download of selected database backups
When a database is restored, FileMaker Server creates a new file containing the backup timestamp rather than immediately replacing the currently hosted database.
Remote backups and local backups are complementary
A remote backup is not intended to replace the regular FileMaker Server backup schedules stored locally.
Local backups are generally the fastest way to recover from:
- Accidental record deletion
- An unwanted modification
- A damaged database
- An unsuccessful deployment
- A recent application-development error
Remote backups provide protection against broader incidents such as:
- Complete storage failure
- Loss of the FileMaker Server machine
- Ransomware affecting the local infrastructure
- Fire, flooding, or another physical incident
- Loss of an entire data center
A sound backup policy therefore maintains both local recovery points and copies stored in a separate location.
Retention and limitations
Claris Remote Backup has a default retention period of 30 days. The retention period can be configured between 1 and 30 days.
Individual backups may be marked as preserved. A preserved backup is not automatically deleted when it reaches the end of the normal retention period, although it continues to consume the allocated remote storage.
There are several other limitations to understand:
- Only databases located in the configured FileMaker Server hosting folders are copied.
- The minimum remote drive size is 5 GB.
- Up to five remote drives can be assigned and approved, but only one can be connected to a server at a time.
- Connecting or disconnecting a remote drive temporarily pauses the hosted files.
- Remote Backup is disabled when a server is operating as a Standby or Standby Snapshot server.
- Backups of removed databases are retained for 15 days by default, configurable between 1 and 30 days.
- FileMaker Server 2026 is required.
Remote Backup protects the FileMaker database files hosted by the server. It should not be considered a complete backup of the operating system, FileMaker Server configuration, plug-ins, web files, scripts, SSL certificates, or other infrastructure surrounding the databases.
How much does Claris Remote Backup cost?
FileMaker Server Remote Backup is sold by Claris as an optional add-on. It is not included in the standard FileMaker Server license.
At the time of writing, Claris lists the following US prices:
- US$120 per year, including 5 GB of remote storage
- US$120 per year for each additional 100 GB
For example:
| Allocated storage | Annual Claris price |
|---|---|
| 5 GB | US$120 |
| 105 GB | US$240 |
| 205 GB | US$360 |
| 505 GB | US$720 |
The required capacity depends not only on the current size of the hosted databases, but also on the number of recovery points and preserved backups stored during the retention period.
These prices are separate from the FileMaker Server license and from the cost of operating the server itself.
Remote backups have always been included with fmcloud.fm
Remote Backup is new as a native FileMaker Server service, but off-site backups are not new to managed FileMaker hosting.
At fmcloud.fm, remote backups have always been included with every hosting plan, without an additional subscription or storage add-on.
Our standard backup policy combines:
- Hourly backups
- Daily backups
- Weekly backups
- Nightly encrypted backups copied to S3-compatible storage outside the production infrastructure
The external backup is stored separately from the production server and forms part of the fmcloud.fm Disaster Recovery Plan. Backup storage and externalization are included in the advertised hosting price.
There is therefore no additional Claris Remote Backup charge for customers who rely on the backup and disaster-recovery infrastructure already provided as part of their fmcloud.fm hosting plan.
It is important to distinguish the two implementations. The native Claris service copies changed databases every 20 minutes and is managed directly from FileMaker Server 2026. The fmcloud.fm service combines FileMaker Server backup schedules with nightly encrypted externalization and infrastructure-level disaster recovery.
Both approaches provide off-site protection, but their frequency, management, retention, and recovery processes are different.
Is Claris Remote Backup useful for an fmcloud.fm server?
In most cases, an fmcloud.fm customer does not need to purchase the Claris add-on simply to obtain off-site protection: this protection is already part of the hosting service.
However, an organization may still choose the native Claris service if it specifically requires:
- Remote backup copies every 20 minutes
- Backup management directly from FileMaker Server Admin Console
- Storage operated directly by Claris
- The ability to preserve selected backups through the FileMaker interface
- An additional independent backup destination
This would then provide another layer of redundancy rather than replacing the existing fmcloud.fm backup policy.
Remote Backup is not Standby Server
FileMaker Server 2026 also introduces Standby Server, but the two services address different requirements.
Remote Backup stores recoverable copies of FileMaker databases outside the primary server. Recovery requires selecting and restoring a backup.
Standby Server maintains another FileMaker Server installation that can take over if the primary server becomes unavailable.
Remote Backup reduces the risk of data loss. Standby Server reduces the duration of a service interruption. Some organizations may use both as part of a broader business-continuity strategy.
Learn more
- FileMaker Server Remote Backup and Standby Server overview
- Setting up FileMaker Server Remote Backup
- Working with remote backups
- Claris self-hosted licensing and Remote Backup pricing
- FileMaker Server backup and security policy at fmcloud.fm
- What Is FileMaker Server?
- What Is FileMaker Standby Server?
