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FileMaker Pro VS LibreOffice - Calc

Compare FileMaker Pro VS LibreOffice - Calc and see what are their differences

FileMaker Pro logo FileMaker Pro

FileMaker Pro Advanced includes all the features of FileMaker Pro plus a set of advanced tools so you can rapidly build powerful custom apps.

LibreOffice - Calc logo LibreOffice - Calc

LibreOffice Calc is the spreadsheet program you've always needed. A fork of OpenOffice.
  • FileMaker Pro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21
  • LibreOffice - Calc Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-16

FileMaker Pro features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    FileMaker Pro features a highly intuitive design with drag-and-drop functionality, making it accessible for users with limited technical skills.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The software is compatible with both macOS and Windows, offering flexibility for users operating on different systems.
  • Customizability
    Users can create highly customized databases suited to their specific needs, from small business operations to larger enterprise solutions.
  • Integration Capabilities
    FileMaker Pro seamlessly integrates with various external applications and services, including APIs, AppleScript, and ODBC/JDBC connectivity.
  • Rapid Development
    The platform enables quick development and deployment of database solutions, which can be a time-saver for businesses needing immediate solutions.
  • Cloud Hosting
    Claris' cloud hosting option provides secure, centralized access to your databases from anywhere, enhancing collaboration and remote work.
  • Strong Community Support
    A large, active community of users and developers provides extensive resources, forums, and third-party plugins to extend functionality.

Possible disadvantages of FileMaker Pro

  • Cost
    FileMaker Pro can be relatively expensive, especially for small businesses or individual users, considering the licensing fees.
  • Limited Scalability
    It may become less efficient for extremely large, enterprise-level databases, making it less suitable for very high-scale operations.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functions are easy to learn, mastering advanced features and scripting can be complex and may require comprehensive training.
  • Proprietary Nature
    FileMaker uses its own proprietary technology, which can make integration with some other systems and platforms more challenging compared to open-standard solutions.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report performance slowdowns when dealing with very large datasets or numerous concurrent users.
  • Mobile App Limitations
    The mobile version, FileMaker Go, may have limitations compared to the desktop version, particularly in terms of functionality and complexity.

LibreOffice - Calc features and specs

  • Cost
    LibreOffice Calc is free and open-source, eliminating any licensing fees or costs associated with commercial software.
  • Compatibility
    It supports a wide range of file formats, including Microsoft Excel formats (XLS, XLSX), allowing for easier file sharing and collaboration.
  • Community Support
    With a large and active user community, you have access to extensive documentation, forums, and user guides.
  • Customization
    Offers extensive customization options and supports macros, making it highly adaptable to specific user needs.
  • Portability
    Available on multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, enhancing its versatility.

Possible disadvantages of LibreOffice - Calc

  • Performance
    May experience slower performance compared to other spreadsheet applications, especially with large datasets.
  • Advanced Features
    Lacks some of the advanced features and functionalities found in Microsoft Excel, such as certain data analysis tools and more complex macros.
  • Learning Curve
    Users accustomed to Microsoft Excel may find the transition to LibreOffice Calc challenging due to differences in interface and functionality.
  • Customer Support
    As a free and open-source product, it does not offer official customer support, relying instead on community-based assistance.
  • Cloud Integration
    Offers limited cloud integration compared to commercial software, which might hinder seamless collaboration and file sharing in some environments.

Analysis of LibreOffice - Calc

Overall verdict

  • LibreOffice Calc is a solid choice for users looking for a free and feature-rich spreadsheet application. It's especially appealing for those who value open-source software and need compatibility with Microsoft Excel files.

Why this product is good

  • LibreOffice Calc is a powerful and cost-effective alternative to other spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel. It is open-source, which means it is completely free to use, modify, and distribute. Calc offers a wide range of features including support for complex formulas, pivot tables, and various chart types. It also has good compatibility with Excel files, allowing users to open and save in Excel formats. Additionally, the software is supported by a large community, which contributes to regular updates and a wealth of online resources and tutorials.

Recommended for

  • Students and educators looking for a free and powerful spreadsheet tool.
  • Small businesses and freelancers who need a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Office.
  • Open-source enthusiasts who prefer software that can be freely modified and improved.
  • Users needing spreadsheet functionality on Linux as well as Windows and MacOS.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FileMaker Pro and LibreOffice - Calc)
Databases
100 100%
0% 0
Spreadsheets
32 32%
68% 68
Project Management
33 33%
67% 67
Office Suites
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing FileMaker Pro and LibreOffice - Calc, you can also consider the following products

Zoho Creator - Zoho Creator is a low-code application development platform that helps you build a custom, mobile-ready apps to run your business.

Microsoft Office Excel - Microsoft Office Excel is a commercial spreadsheet application.

SoftMaker Office - SoftMaker Office is one of the most powerful and reliable office suite that is fully compatible with the MS Office Suite.

Google Sheets - Synchronizing, online-based word processor, part of Google Drive.

Apache OpenOffice - Apache OpenOffice is an open source, office document productivity suite.

Apple Numbers - Numbers lets you build beautiful spreadsheets on a Mac, iPad, or iPhone — or on a PC using iWork for iCloud. And it’s compatible with Apple Pencil.