API solution comparison

You can use these REST APIs for accessing data in hosted FileMaker Pro databases. Determine which solution makes sense for your business goals and environment.

Solution Use when Advantages
OData standard

  • Working with applications that can access OData data sources

  • Developing applications that need to interchangeably access other OData data sources in addition to FileMaker data

  • Transaction support is needed

  • Third-party application developers implement only one call to interact with all data sources that conform to the OData standard (including FileMaker data).

  • OData supports batches, transactions, metadata creation, and deletion of tables.

  • OData can replace ODBC and JDBC for most uses.

  • Batch processing improves performance by reducing interprocess communication and connection pooling.

  • No layouts are required for interacting with FileMaker data.

  • No additional software (for example, drivers) needs to be installed on the client to work with data.
FileMaker Data API

  • Using FileMaker Pro features (such as layouts and portals)

  • Deep integration with FileMaker concepts, such as layouts and portals.