Understanding Your Options

When it comes to hosting your FileMaker databases, you have two main options: traditional FileMaker hosting with a provider like radFM, or Claris FileMaker Cloud. Both have their strengths, and the right choice depends on your specific needs.

I’ve worked with both solutions extensively, and I’ve seen businesses make the wrong choice and pay for it—literally. The difference isn’t just about features or price. It’s about whether the hosting solution fits how your business actually works.

Let me break down what you need to know to make the right decision.

FileMaker Cloud: The Official Solution

FileMaker Cloud is Claris’s official cloud hosting service built on AWS infrastructure. It’s designed to be simple and integrated with the FileMaker platform.

The appeal is obvious: it’s from Claris, it’s easy to set up, and you don’t have to think about server management. You provision a server through the Claris console, upload your database, and you’re running. For small teams or businesses just getting started with FileMaker, that simplicity has real value.

Pros:

Official Claris support - When something goes wrong, you’re calling the company that makes FileMaker
Integrated with FileMaker licensing - One vendor, one bill, one renewal date
Simple setup process - Provision a server in minutes through the Claris console
Managed updates and maintenance - Claris handles server updates and OS patches
Predictable pricing - Per-user pricing makes budgeting straightforward

Cons:

Limited server location choices - Available in select AWS regions
Per-user pricing model - Costs increase with each additional user
Less flexibility in configuration - Managed service with standardized configurations
No server-side plugin support - Third-party server-side plugins are not supported
Fixed storage tiers - Storage is allocated in predefined tiers
No OttoFMS support - OttoFMS requires server access not available in FileMaker Cloud

Traditional FileMaker Hosting: More Control and Flexibility

Traditional hosting providers run FileMaker Server on dedicated or cloud infrastructure, giving you more control over your environment.

This is how FileMaker hosting worked for decades before FileMaker Cloud existed, and it’s still the better choice for most established businesses. You get a real FileMaker Server running on real infrastructure, with full access to configure it however you need.

Pros:

Choose from 40+ global locations - Put your server close to your users for better performance
More cost-effective for larger teams - Flat monthly rate regardless of user count
Full server access for custom configurations - Install plugins, run scripts, configure exactly what you need
Flexible backup and recovery options - Control your backup schedule, retention, and storage location
Can run custom scripts and plugins - No restrictions on what you can install
OttoFMS included - Advanced deployment, migration, and automation tools
Better performance - Premium network infrastructure and optimized configurations
Scalable resources - Upgrade CPU, RAM, or storage as needed

Cons:

You manage FileMaker Server updates - Updates aren’t automatic (but we handle this for you)
Requires more technical knowledge - Or a hosting provider who knows FileMaker
Support quality varies by provider - Choose your provider carefully

Cost Comparison: The Real Numbers

FileMaker Cloud pricing is per-user, which can get expensive as your team grows. Traditional hosting typically charges based on server resources, making it more economical for teams with 10+ users.

Let’s look at estimated numbers:

5-User Team:

FileMaker Cloud: ~$95-195/month (Essentials $19/user or Standard $39/user, billed annually)
Traditional Hosting: ~$75-125/month
Winner: Roughly equal, FileMaker Cloud’s simplicity might be worth it

20-User Team:

FileMaker Cloud: ~$780/month (Standard plan at $39/user, billed annually)
Traditional Hosting: ~$100-200/month
Winner: Traditional hosting saves $500-600/month

50-User Team:

FileMaker Cloud: ~$1,950/month (Standard plan at $39/user, billed annually)
Traditional Hosting: ~$150-300/month
Winner: Traditional hosting saves $1,650-1,800/month

The math is straightforward: FileMaker Cloud’s per-user pricing means costs scale linearly with your team. Traditional hosting costs stay relatively flat because you’re paying for server resources, not user seats.

Over a year, a 20-user team could save $6,000-7,200 with traditional hosting. That’s money that could go toward FileMaker development, training, or other business needs.

Performance Considerations

Performance isn’t just about raw server speed—it’s about latency, network quality, and how close your server is to your users.

FileMaker Cloud runs on AWS infrastructure with good performance but limited location choices. Claris offers FileMaker Cloud in select AWS regions globally.

If your team is in a region without a nearby data center, you might experience higher latency. Geographic distance between users and servers can impact response times for database operations.

Traditional Hosting providers using Google Cloud or other platforms often offer more location choices. With 40+ global data centers, you can choose a server close to your users for optimal performance.

We’ve measured the difference: a FileMaker database hosted in the same region as your users typically responds 50-200ms faster than one hosted across a continent. That might not sound like much, but when you’re working in FileMaker all day, it’s the difference between a system that feels responsive and one that feels sluggish.

Network Quality Matters Too

FileMaker Cloud runs on AWS’s network infrastructure. Traditional hosting on Google Cloud can use Google’s premium tier networking, which routes traffic across Google’s private backbone instead of the public internet. This can provide more consistent, predictable performance—especially for international teams.

When to Choose FileMaker Cloud

FileMaker Cloud makes sense if you:

Have a small team (under 10 users)
Want the simplest possible setup
Prefer official Claris support
Don’t need custom server configurations
Are already using FileMaker’s subscription licensing

When to Choose Traditional FileMaker Hosting

Traditional hosting is better if you:

Need specific server locations
Want full control over backups and configuration
Use custom plugins or server-side scripts
Need the most cost-effective solution
Require specific compliance or security configurations

The OttoFMS Advantage*

Here’s something most people don’t consider: FileMaker Cloud doesn’t support OttoFMS.

OttoFMS is a game-changer for FileMaker deployments. It handles automated deployments, database migrations, and complex multi-file updates that would otherwise require downtime and manual work.

With traditional hosting, you get OttoFMS pre-installed. That means:

Zero-downtime deployments - Update your database while users are working
Automated migration scripts - Data migrations that used to take hours now run automatically
Webhook integrations - Trigger deployments from GitHub, Slack, or other tools
Rollback capability - Something go wrong? Roll back to the previous version instantly

If you’re doing any kind of ongoing FileMaker development, OttoFMS alone justifies choosing traditional hosting. The time and stress it saves is worth more than the cost difference.

Migration Between Options

You’re not locked into either choice. FileMaker databases can be migrated between FileMaker Cloud and traditional hosting relatively easily. Most hosting providers offer migration assistance.

I’ve helped dozens of businesses migrate from FileMaker Cloud to traditional hosting. The most common reason? Cost. The second most common? They needed features FileMaker Cloud doesn’t support—usually OttoFMS or custom plugins.

The Bottom Line

Both options can work well—it depends on your priorities. FileMaker Cloud offers simplicity and official support. Traditional hosting offers flexibility, better pricing for larger teams, and more control over your environment.

Here’s my honest recommendation based on 20+ years of FileMaker hosting:

Choose FileMaker Cloud if:

You have fewer than 5 users
You want the absolute simplest setup possible
You’re willing to pay a premium for official Claris support
You don’t need custom plugins, OttoFMS, or advanced features
Your team is located near an AWS region where FileMaker Cloud is available

Choose Traditional FileMaker Hosting if:

You have 10+ users (the cost savings are significant)
You need OttoFMS for deployments and migrations
You want the best performance for your specific location
You use custom plugins or server-side scripts
You need flexible backup and recovery options
You want full control over your FileMaker Server configuration
You’re looking for the best value long-term

For most businesses with established FileMaker solutions and growing teams, traditional hosting provides better value and performance. The cost savings alone usually justify the choice, and the added flexibility and features make it a no-brainer.

Ready to see the difference? Start your free trial and experience FileMaker hosting on enterprise infrastructure without the enterprise price tag.

*OttoFMS comes pre-installed on all radFM servers. Configuration and usage is managed by you or your FileMaker developer—we provide the tool, you control how it’s used.

FileMaker Hosting vs FileMaker Cloud