Claris FileMaker vs Forest Admin
Claris FileMaker
claris.comForest Admin
forest.appSide by side
| Figure | Claris FileMaker | Forest Admin |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $499/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 4 |
| Spec score · Internal Tools Software | 8.6 (#9) | 8.3 (#15) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Integrations | Integration options include Claris Connect, the FileMaker Data API, OData, cURL, ODBC/JDBC, and external SQL sources including MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server. | The integrations page lists Adyen as an integration for triggering refunds, holds, reversals, and dispute responses from Forest workflows. |
| Product | FileMaker is a low-code platform for building custom business apps tailored to an organization’s needs. | Forest describes itself as an operational backend connecting operations teams and AI agents to databases, compliance suppliers, and workflows. |
| Support | Standard support is available by phone, email, or appointment; its listed email response time is two business days. | The Starter plan includes a standard support SLA, while Professional lists a dedicated customer success manager and private Slack channel. |
| Trial | Claris offers a free 45-day FileMaker 2026 trial with full platform access from day one and no credit card required. | The pricing FAQ says customers can start with a free 30-day trial or evaluate with Sandbox, which has up to 2 users, 2 datasources, and 500 audit events per month. |
Plans
Claris FileMaker
- StarterPrice not published
- MaxPrice not published
- Claris Platform Bundle$39 a month
- FileMaker Server 2026$17.50 a month
- FileMaker Cloud Starter$19 a month
- FileMaker Cloud Max$39 a month
Forest Admin
- Starter$499 a month
- Professional$2,199 a month
- Enterprise$5,999 a month
- SandboxFree
In their own words
Claris FileMaker
Claris FileMaker is a low-code platform for building business apps tailored to an organization. Users can shape apps with drag-and-drop design tools, templates, add-ons, reporting and data imports, then use the Script Engine to automate workflows, data processing and app behavior without a traditional programming language. Apps can run on Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad and the web, hosted through FileMaker Cloud or FileMaker Server. Integration options include Claris Connect, the FileMaker Data API, OData, cURL, ODBC/JDBC and external SQL sources such as MySQL, Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server. On iOS, supported features include GPS, barcode scanning, signature capture, device sensors, Core ML, Siri Shortcuts and NFC reading. The listed pricing note starts at $39/user/mo; FileMaker also has a free 45-day trial with full platform access from day one and no credit card required. Claris says FileMaker Cloud has AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.2 in transit and stated security certifications. It does not claim HIPAA compliance and says its cloud service and Claris Connect must not handle protected health information.
Forest Admin
Forest Admin is an operational backend that connects operations teams and AI agents with databases, compliance suppliers, and workflows. It presents use cases including KYC onboarding, KYB/UBO, requests for information, transaction monitoring, and dispute handling. Forest says it reads and writes directly to databases and APIs without an ETL or copy layer, with the backend deployed in the customer's infrastructure. Workflow tools include case inboxes, dispatch rules, SLAs, multi-step workflows, approvals, escalations, and human review gates. Human users and AI agents share role-based permissions; record-level audit logs can include agent reasoning traces. Listed connectors include PostgreSQL, MongoDB, BigQuery, Snowflake, REST APIs, and GraphQL APIs. The integrations page names Adyen for triggering refunds, holds, reversals, and dispute responses. Forest lists SOC 2, HIPAA, PSD3, GDPR, and the EU AI Act in its compliance section. Pricing includes a free Sandbox, Starter at $499 a month, Professional at $2,199 a month, and Enterprise from $5,999 a month with an annual upfront payment discount. A free 30-day trial is also available.