We’ve simplified the way our licensing is structured, and we’re fulfilling our goal to offer customers one powerful platform. The unified Claris platform includes Claris FileMaker, Claris Connect, and Claris Studio.
“With our previous licensing structure, it was difficult for customers to access new capabilities and predict costs since products were priced separately,” explains Giuliano Iacobelli, vice president of Claris Product Management. “Our new licensing applies to the entire Claris platform, so if you’re already a current FileMaker customer, you also get Claris Connect and Claris Studio—within certain limits—at no additional cost.”
"Our new licensing applies to the entire Claris platform, so if you're already a current FileMaker customer, you also get Claris Connect and Claris Studio – within certain limits – at no additional cost."
- Giuliano Iacobelli, VP of Product Management
What the licensing change means for you.
Three main reasons have driven the changes to our licensing structure, resulting in additional benefits for you.
1. A simplified purchasing experience.
In the past, Claris treated platform components as separate products, and each one had its own licensing and pricing tiers. That’s now behind us. A unified licensing structure eliminates confusion and reduces administrative hassles.
2. The ability to explore the full capabilities of the Claris platform.
With access to everything on the Claris platform, you can test various capabilities, connect your tech stack, and enhance your custom apps using the new features and tools—all at no additional cost (within certain limits).
Have you experimented with Claris Studio yet? If you’re an active FileMaker customer, get your hands on Claris Studio today and start extending custom apps to gather data from anyone. With an active FileMaker 2025 license, you can access Claris Studio via the Admin Console or the Claris Customer Console. Learn how.
3. Scalable licensing with predictable pricing.
As your digital solutions grow, so do the opportunities to maximize Claris platform capabilities, from building solutions for your internal teams to integrating and automating data workflows across your systems—even building new web-first experiences. Whatever your solutions, the unified licensing scales right along with them.
Predictable pricing, and, if you need it, a clear path for upgrading mean you know the costs up front, no matter the complexity of your solutions.
New tiers available based on your organization’s needs.
Another thing that’s new, our licensing model includes a tiered approach that makes it easier for customers to get the plan that best suits the business needs. Whether you’re using FileMaker Cloud or self-hosting your apps with FileMaker Server, you can decide which tier—Starter or Max—aligns with your organization.
Tiered options for FileMaker Cloud.
If you’re a FileMaker Cloud customer, then you’re familiar with tiered options since you’ve been able to choose from Essentials and Standard plans in the past. The FileMaker Cloud tiered names have changed, with Essentials now called Starter and Standard referred to as Max.
As mentioned previously, the new licensing model includes access to Claris Connect and Claris Studio at no additional charge. With the Starter tier, you get five Claris Connect integration flows and 10 Claris Studio shared views.
The enhanced option—the Max tier—provides the highest value and even more flexibility to build and scale digital solutions. Choosing Max gives you 50 Claris Connect integration flows and unlimited Claris Studio shared views.
Compare Starter versus Max in the screenshot below.
Tiered options for self-hosting.
Customers who use FileMaker Server can also select from two tiered plans: Starter and Max.
For self-hosted licensing, the Starter tier builds on the standard license—the one that gives the right to run FileMaker Server on premise or in a third-party hosting environment. This tier also offers five Claris Connect integration flows and 10 Claris Studio shared views, giving customers additional capabilities at the same price.
With the Max tier, you receive further value and flexibility with 50 Claris Connect integration flows and unlimited Claris Studio shared views.
See the screenshot below to compare Starter versus Max.
Until September 8, 2025, customers on the Starter tier will have Max-level access to Claris Studio and Claris Connect.
That means all Starter customers get unlimited native web views published for consumption using Claris Studio and 50 active integration flows for Claris Connect.
Wondering if the new licensing affects you?
Many of the existing plans have migrated to the new licensing. Contact us if you’d like further details that apply specifically to your licensing.
Volume discounts for the purchase of 10 or more licenses and multi-year discount agreements aren’t impacted by this licensing change.
As with all updates, perpetual license agreements (VLA and SLA) require an active maintenance contract to access the Claris Studio and Claris Connect capabilities offered at no additional cost (within limits).
Need some help?
The Claris team wants to make the transition to the new licensing as easy as possible. Use these resources if you need help.
- Our licensing FAQs in Knowledge Base may provide answers to your questions. See FAQs.
- With FileMaker 2025, eligible customers will see access to Claris Studio in the Admin Console or Claris Customer Console. Read how to get started.
- Join a licensing conversation in the Claris Community where you can post a question, and we’ll circle back with an answer. Visit the community.
- Get in touch with your Claris Partner for assistance. Find my partner.