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Kintone

Kintone

All your team's workflows in one customizable workplace platform

AI-Powered Summary

Kintone is a no-code workplace platform that enables teams to build custom business applications, databases, and workflows using drag-and-drop tools. It combines data management with built-in team communication, allowing discussions to happen alongside the records they reference. The platform is designed for non-technical business teams across diverse industries who need centralized, customizable tools without traditional software development.

Key Features

What makes Kintone stand out

Drag-and-Drop App Builder

Build custom business applications without writing code using a visual drag-and-drop interface.

Custom Workflows

Set up automated reminders, approvals, and task handoffs to streamline your business processes.

Built-in Communication

Discuss data and projects in threaded conversations attached directly to your records and workspaces.

Granular Permissions

Control exactly who can view and edit specific data with detailed access settings and revision history.

App Template Library

Start quickly with pre-built templates for recruiting, CRM, project management, and many other use cases.

Third-Party Integrations

Connect Kintone to external services like Salesforce, Google Calendar, Outlook, and more via APIs and plugins.

Mobile Access

View, edit, and manage your data from any internet-connected device so teams can work from anywhere.

Custom Workspaces

Create dedicated spaces for teams, departments, or projects with topic-specific discussion threads.

What's Great

  • No coding required—drag-and-drop app builder accessible to non-technical users
  • Built-in communication threads tied to data records eliminate context-switching between tools
  • Granular permissions with revision history provide clear accountability and data governance
  • Wide range of pre-built app templates for quick deployment across many use cases
  • Extensive third-party integration ecosystem including Salesforce, Google, Microsoft, and more

Things to Know

  • Minimum 5-user requirement makes it impractical for very small teams or solo users
  • At $24/user/month with 5-user minimum, the $120/month entry price is relatively high
  • Platform customization may have limits compared to traditional full-code development
  • Learning curve for building complex multi-app workflows and database relationships

Pricing Plans

All Kintone pricing tiers and features

Minimum 5 users required. $24/user/month.

Kintone

$24/mo
30-day free trial
Minimum users5users
Price per user24USD/month
Drag-and-drop app builder
Custom workflows and automation
Built-in communication spaces
Granular permissions and access controls
App template library
Third-party integrations and APIs
Revision history
Mobile access

Real Cost Breakdown

Team of 5
$120/mo
Team of 25
$600/mo

Hidden Costs

  • Minimum 5-user requirement means you pay for 5 even if you have fewer
  • Some third-party integrations and plugins may have their own additional costs
  • Advanced customization may require paid consulting or development support

Cost Saving Tips

  • Start with the free trial to validate the platform fits your team's needs before committing
  • Use built-in app templates to reduce setup time and maximize value quickly

At $24/user/month with a 5-user minimum, Kintone is a mid-range option that delivers good value for teams of 5+ who need a flexible, no-code platform to replace multiple disparate tools.

Price Comparison

Compare Kintone with similar tools

Kintone ranks as the 6th most affordable option out of 6 tools, priced 199% above the category average of $8/mo.

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Bar length shows relative price — longer bars mean higher prices. Tools are sorted from most affordable to most expensive.
Free / Open Source
Freemium
Paid
Enterprise

Best For

Business teams needing custom database apps and workflows without coding

Who Should NOT Use This

  • Solo professionals or teams with fewer than 5 peopleKintone requires a minimum of 5 users, making it cost-prohibitive at $120/month minimum for very small teams.
  • Developers who need full code customization and complex integrationsAs a no-code/low-code platform, Kintone has inherent limitations compared to custom-built applications for highly specialized or technically complex requirements.
  • Teams on a tight budget needing basic task managementAt $24/user/month, Kintone is significantly more expensive than simpler project management tools like Trello or Asana's free tiers for basic task tracking.
  • Organizations needing a dedicated, feature-rich CRMWhile Kintone can build CRM-like apps, teams with advanced CRM needs would be better served by purpose-built platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot.

Competitive Position

Kintone uniquely combines no-code database app building with built-in threaded communication directly alongside data records, eliminating the need for separate collaboration tools.

When to Choose Kintone

  • Your team needs custom database apps without hiring developers
  • You want data management and team communication in one platform instead of separate tools
  • You need flexible workflows across diverse departments like HR, sales, and operations
  • Your organization spans multiple industries or needs many different types of custom apps

When to Look Elsewhere

  • You have fewer than 5 team members and the minimum cost is too high
  • You need a dedicated, full-featured CRM with deep sales pipeline analytics
  • You need heavy-duty project management with Gantt charts and resource planning
  • You require fully offline capabilities or on-premise deployment

Strongest alternative: Monday.com

Learning Curve

Moderate
Time to basic use
1-2 hours
Time to proficiency
2-4 weeks

Prerequisites

Basic understanding of databases and spreadsheets
Familiarity with workflow concepts like approvals and task assignments

Common Challenges

  • Understanding how to structure apps and relate data across multiple databases
  • Configuring granular permissions for complex organizational structures
  • Learning to effectively combine communication features with data management workflows

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kintone

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