Kintone Review 2025: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons, Ratings & More

Imed Bouchrika, Phd

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Share

Kintone: Top Application Development Software

4.5 / 5

Top 3 Kintone Alternatives


What is Kintone

Kintone offers a cloud-based environment that simplifies the creation of custom business applications without extensive coding. Its visual interface lets users build forms, tables, and views to manage data effectively, making it ideal for various organizational needs. This flexibility allows companies to design solutions that support complex workflows, from project tracking to cross-department collaboration, fitting diverse industries.

The kintone business management platform enhances teamwork by embedding messaging and commenting directly within applications. These features enable contextual discussions about specific records or projects, reducing reliance on separate communication tools and ensuring conversations remain tied to relevant data. Users can also set up notifications to stay updated on changes, which helps maintain project momentum and accountability.

Automation capabilities in kintone include workflow management and customizable scripting options. Users can create approval chains, automate task assignments, and trigger status updates based on predefined rules. Advanced users can extend functionality through JavaScript and REST APIs, allowing integration with other systems and adapting to evolving business requirements.

Security is robust, with role-based access controls that manage permissions down to individual fields, ensuring users only access appropriate information. As a cloud service, kintone adheres to industry standards for data protection and availability, although specific compliance details depend on the vendor’s infrastructure. This level of control safeguards sensitive business data effectively.

Designed for both non-technical users and developers, kintone lowers barriers to application creation with drag-and-drop tools and templates. This approach empowers so-called citizen developers to build useful tools that streamline their workflows, while professional developers can leverage the platform’s extensibility for more sophisticated solutions or integrations.

Reporting and data visualization tools within kintone provide charts, graphs, and summaries that help stakeholders monitor key performance indicators and make informed decisions. These insights support ongoing process improvements and optimized resource allocation, crucial for businesses aiming to enhance operational efficiency.

For those exploring business software options, understanding what is the most popular marketing attribution software can provide context on how kintone compares or complements other tools. This article offers valuable insights for companies evaluating their software needs alongside platforms like kintone.

Overall, what is kintone software designed to deliver is a versatile, collaborative platform that streamlines application development, promotes communication, and supports automation to drive business productivity.

What is Kintone

How much does Kintone cost

Kintone: Top Application Development Software

4.5 / 5

Professional Plan

  • Price: $24 per user per month (billed annually)
  • Includes unlimited apps and customization options
  • Data storage limit of 5GB per user
  • Access to API and integration capabilities
  • Collaboration features including comments and notifications

Enterprise Plan

  • Price: Custom pricing based on organization size
  • All features of Professional Plan
  • Advanced user management and security controls
  • Increased data storage capacity
  • Priority support and dedicated customer success manager

Kintone offers a free trial allowing potential users to explore features before committing to a paid plan.

How much does Kintone cost

What are the pros of Kintone

  • Highly customizable platform for building tailored applications without coding expertise
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for easy workflow and database creation
  • Real-time collaboration with instant updates and centralized information sharing
  • Automation tools for streamlining repetitive tasks and approval workflows
  • Comprehensive data management with customizable forms, tables, and reports

What are the cons of Kintone

  • Customization requires technical skills, limiting ease of use for non-developers
  • User interface lacks modern design, causing a steeper learning curve
  • Offline access is restricted due to limited offline functionality
  • Basic reporting and analytics, not suitable for advanced data analysis
  • Limited integration options with third-party apps, often needing custom API development
  • Mobile app lacks some features available on the desktop version

What are the core features of Kintone

Kintone: Top Application Development Software

4.5 / 5

Kintone offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance application management and streamline business processes. Its capabilities cover performance monitoring, security, customization, and collaboration, all aimed at optimizing operational efficiency and user experience.

  • Application Performance: Tools to monitor and improve the speed and responsiveness of applications, ensuring efficient data handling.
  • Orchestration: Automated workflows that coordinate multiple tasks to streamline processes without manual steps.
  • Database Monitoring: Real-time insights into database health and activity that help prevent and address issues early.
  • Network Security: Encryption and access controls that safeguard sensitive information within the platform.
  • Provisioning: Simplified resource allocation for quick setup and scalable deployment of database assets.
  • Governance: Mechanisms to enforce data policies and compliance, maintaining organizational and legal standards.
  • Auditing: Detailed logs tracking user actions and system changes to support transparency and troubleshooting.
  • Scalability: Dynamic adjustment of resources to support increasing data volumes and user counts without performance loss.
  • Backup: Automated creation of data copies to enable recovery from loss or corruption.
  • Archiving: Long-term storage solutions that keep historical data accessible without impacting system speed.
  • Indexing: Efficient methods to speed up data searches and retrieval across applications.
  • Activities: Tracking of user and system events for improved management and operational insight.
  • Flows: Custom process flows guiding task sequences to enhance consistency and adherence to procedures.
  • Dependencies: Management of task and data relationships to keep related components synchronized.
  • Notifications: Configurable alerts that keep users informed about important updates and deadlines.
  • Customizable Applications: No-code tools allowing users to build tailored apps with drag-and-drop interfaces.
  • Collaboration Tools: Integrated messaging and commenting to support real-time communication within projects.
  • Role-Based Access Control: Fine-grained permissions to regulate data and feature access based on user roles.
  • API Integration: REST APIs enabling connections to external systems and automation of data flows.
  • Mobile Accessibility: Full platform functionality available through dedicated apps for smartphones and tablets.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Built-in tools for generating visual data insights like charts and reports.
  • Template Library: Pre-designed application templates to accelerate deployment for common business needs.
  • Version Control: Change tracking for applications and data structures allowing rollback and management.
  • Multi-Language Support: Interface and app support for multiple languages to serve diverse users.
  • Data Import/Export: Easy transfer of data to and from spreadsheets or other systems.
  • Task Management: Features for assigning, tracking, and prioritizing tasks to boost productivity.
  • Search Functionality: Advanced options for quickly locating records across multiple applications.
  • Integration with Cloud Storage: Connectivity with external cloud services for file storage and sharing.
  • Customizable Notifications: User-defined triggers for alerts based on specific data changes or conditions.
  • Data Validation: Rules to ensure entered data meets quality standards and reduces errors.

Benefits of using Kintone

Kintone offers a variety of advantages designed to enhance business operations and team collaboration. This overview highlights key benefits, helping prospective customers understand how the platform can adapt to diverse organizational requirements and improve overall efficiency.

  • Flexible Application Customization: Users can build tailored business apps without deep programming skills, allowing companies to mold the platform to their unique workflows and processes quickly.
  • Streamlined Workflow Automation: Automated notifications and approval steps reduce repetitive manual tasks, accelerating operations and freeing teams to focus on higher-value work.
  • Unified Data Management: Centralizing information from multiple departments into one accessible repository simplifies data handling and supports better business insights.
  • Robust Collaboration Tools: Integrated features like comments, mentions, and file sharing foster seamless team communication directly within project contexts, enhancing coordination and transparency.
  • Granular Security Controls: Role-based permissions let administrators tightly regulate who can view or modify sensitive information, ensuring data protection aligned with organizational policies.
  • Real-time Insights and Reporting: Customizable dashboards deliver up-to-the-minute analytics, empowering managers to make data-driven decisions swiftly and confidently.
  • Low-code Development Environment: The platform’s intuitive tools enable non-technical users to create and adjust applications rapidly, minimizing dependence on IT resources and accelerating deployment.
  • Scalable for Growth: From small teams to large enterprises, Kintone adapts effortlessly to increasing demands without requiring significant infrastructure changes or added complexity.

Our expert take on Kintone

When I first explored the kintone platform review and features, what struck me was its adaptability and straightforward design. It caters well to those who may not have deep technical skills but still want to build custom apps that fit their unique workflows. The drag-and-drop interface really lowers the barrier for teams eager to develop solutions quickly without relying heavily on IT support.

From my experience, kintone’s collaboration tools are a real asset. Integrating task tracking, notifications, and commenting directly into the apps encourages transparency and smooth communication across departments. For companies where coordination is key, this built-in functionality can transform how teams operate day to day.

Security is another area where kintone stands out. Its granular access controls and compliance capabilities give me confidence when handling sensitive business data. Knowing that the platform meets common enterprise standards makes it easier to trust it as part of a cloud-based strategy.

Of course, there are some trade-offs. The advantages and disadvantages of kintone become clear when dealing with highly specialized or complex reporting needs—here, it might not fully replace more specialized software, but it can still serve as a valuable complement. This balance between ease of use and extensibility is something I’ve noticed repeatedly; developers can still inject custom code via APIs to extend functionality when necessary.

Pricing has also caught my attention. While the subscription plans scale with usage and customization, costs can escalate as teams grow or require more advanced features. Still, the time saved on development and the boost in efficiency often justify the investment, something I have seen firsthand in companies adopting this platform.

If you want to explore options beyond kintone, I recommend checking out this list of marketing intelligence tool, which can provide additional insights into software solutions that might complement your digital transformation efforts.

Our expert take on Kintone

What business types use Kintone

  • Manufacturing SMEs: These companies utilize Kintone to streamline production schedules, control inventory, and monitor quality assurance, all while minimizing IT overhead. The platform’s centralized data management and automation capabilities help reduce errors and speed up critical decision-making—vital in precise manufacturing settings. This makes it a strong choice among the best business management software for small businesses aiming to optimize operational workflows.
  • Marketing Agencies and Creative Firms: Kintone supports project tracking, client collaboration, and campaign management through customizable apps tailored to unique agency workflows. This flexibility enhances transparency by allowing selective data sharing with clients, helping teams meet deadlines and budgets effectively. For companies exploring the most popular marketing automation tools, Kintone stands out by offering adaptable project management solutions aligned with marketing needs.
  • Professional Services: Consulting firms and law practices leverage Kintone to manage client information, case files, billing, and compliance documentation. The cloud-based platform facilitates remote access and supports detailed reporting on project profitability and resource allocation, addressing the specialized demands of professional services organizations.
  • Educational and Training Institutions: Schools, universities, and corporate trainers use Kintone to oversee student records, course planning, and instructor assignments efficiently. The platform’s adaptability reduces administrative burdens and ensures consistent data management across departments, essential for complex educational administration.
  • Nonprofit Organizations: Nonprofits benefit from Kintone’s customizable workflows for donor management, event coordination, and volunteer tracking without needing dedicated developers. This aids in maintaining detailed contribution records and communication histories, improving fundraising and engagement strategies despite limited staffing and budgets.
  • Retail Chains and Distributors: Retailers rely on Kintone for real-time inventory oversight, supplier communication, and sales monitoring. Automation of reorder processes minimizes stockouts and excess inventory. Additionally, Kintone supports coordination of promotions and customer loyalty initiatives, enhancing both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
  • Healthcare Providers: Clinics and group practices adopt Kintone to customize patient scheduling, medical records, and billing workflows. Though not a dedicated EHR, its configurable features enable compliance and tailored solutions that contribute to improved care coordination and administrative productivity.
  • Construction and Real Estate: Construction firms track project timelines, labor, materials, and budgets, gaining better oversight. Real estate agencies use Kintone to manage client contacts, property listings, and transaction histories, streamlining sales and rentals effectively.
  • Logistics and Transportation: These companies manage shipments, vehicle maintenance, and driver assignments via Kintone’s integrated data capabilities. This supports route optimization, improved delivery times, and regulatory compliance, crucial for cost efficiency and reliable service in a competitive field.


Frequently Asked Questions about Kintone

Is Kintone a no-code or low-code platform?

Kintone functions mainly as a no-code platform, enabling users to build applications and automate workflows through intuitive drag-and-drop tools and ready-made templates. For those needing deeper customization, it also supports coding options.

How does Kintone support collaboration?

The platform fosters teamwork by offering real-time features such as shared workspaces, record commenting, notifications, and task assignments, all designed to enhance communication and coordination within groups.

Does Kintone integrate with other Software?

Kintone connects with various popular platforms via built-in connectors, APIs, and third-party services like Zapier, which helps synchronize data and streamline workflows across different systems.

Is Kintone suitable For enterprises?

While Kintone’s flexibility shines with smaller teams, it can scale to meet enterprise needs by providing user management, role-based access controls, and compliance with security standards.

What platforms and devices does Kintone support?

Accessible through web browsers on both desktop and mobile devices, Kintone also offers dedicated mobile applications for iOS and Android, enabling users to manage their data anytime, anywhere.

How secure is data stored in Kintone?

Data security is ensured by employing encryption, secure access measures, frequent backups, and adherence to recognized industry standards to safeguard information within the cloud environment.

What kind of customer support does Kintone provide?

Support includes comprehensive documentation, tutorials, community forums, and direct assistance channels, though the availability and depth of support may depend on the user’s subscription tier.

How customizable is Kintone’s interface?

Users can personalize dashboards, form layouts, and data views, tailoring the interface to suit specific business requirements without needing to write code.

Can Kintone be used internationally?

With multi-language support and global availability, Kintone is appropriate for organizations with teams spread across different countries and regions.

How does Kintone handle data migration?

The platform offers tools and APIs designed to facilitate importing existing data from spreadsheets or other systems, simplifying the onboarding process for new users.

Is there a trial or free version of Kintone?

A free trial is typically available, allowing prospective users to test the platform’s capabilities before making a purchase decision.