Choosing between Kintone and Airtable for your Philippine business? Both are popular no-code platforms, but they're designed for different use cases. This comprehensive guide compares every aspect to help you make the right choice.
💡 Quick Summary
Choose Kintone if you need unlimited records, built-in workflow automation, JavaScript customization, or local Philippine support.
Choose Airtable if you want a simpler spreadsheet-like interface and have basic database needs under 50,000 records.
📊 Platform Overview
What is Kintone?
Kintone is a no-code business application platform from Cybozu, Japan's largest groupware company. It allows you to build custom apps for CRM, inventory management, HR, project tracking, and virtually any business process—without writing code. Used by 37,000+ companies including Toyota, Japan Airlines, and Panasonic.
What is Airtable?
Airtable is a cloud-based platform that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with database functionality. It's popular for organizing information, managing simple projects, and building basic workflows. Founded in 2012, it's widely used by startups and small teams.
⚖️ Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Kintone | Airtable |
|---|---|---|
| Record Limits | Unlimited records | 50,000 per base (Pro) |
| Workflow Automation | Native process management with multi-step approvals | Basic automations; needs Zapier for complex flows |
| Approval Workflows | Built-in multi-step approvals with routing | Not available natively |
| Code Customization | Full JavaScript & CSS support | Scripting extension only (limited) |
| REST API | Comprehensive API included | Good API available |
| Mobile Apps | Native iOS & Android apps | Native iOS & Android apps |
| Security Certifications | SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018 | SOC 2 (Enterprise tier only) |
| Local PH Support | Edamame Inc. (EN/TL/JP) | No local presence |
| AI Features | Kintone AI Lab | Airtable AI |
| Interface Type | Form-based app builder | Spreadsheet-style database |
| Best For | Business process automation, enterprise apps | Simple databases, content calendars |
📈 Record Limits: The #1 Difference
🏆 Winner: Kintone (Unlimited Records)
This is the primary reason businesses migrate from Airtable to Kintone. Airtable's record limits become a critical barrier as your data grows. A CRM adding 100 leads per day will hit the 50K limit in under 2 years.
Airtable Record Limits by Plan:
- Free: 1,000 records per base
- Plus ($10/user/mo): 5,000 records per base
- Pro ($20/user/mo): 50,000 records per base
- Enterprise ($$$): 500,000 records per base
Kintone Record Limits:
None. Store millions of records on any paid plan. Your only limit is storage space, which is generous and expandable.
💡 Real-World Impact
A logistics company tracking 500 deliveries/day would fill Airtable's Pro limit in 100 days. With Kintone, the same company has been running for 5+ years with over 1 million delivery records—no limits hit, no migrations needed.
⚙️ Workflow Automation
🏆 Winner: Kintone (Native Process Management)
Kintone includes enterprise-grade workflow automation out of the box. Airtable requires expensive third-party tools (Zapier, Make) for similar functionality.
Kintone Workflow Features:
- Multi-step approval chains — Route requests through multiple approvers
- Conditional routing — If amount > ₱50,000, require manager approval
- Status-based permissions — Lock fields after approval
- Automatic notifications — Email alerts at each step
- Deadline tracking — SLA monitoring and reminders
- Audit trail — Complete history of all changes
- Delegation — Reassign tasks when people are on leave
Airtable Workflow Limitations:
- Basic automations (triggers → actions)
- No native approval workflows
- Limited automation runs per month
- Complex workflows require Zapier ($20-100+/month additional)
🛠️ Customization Options
🏆 Winner: Kintone (Full Code Access)
Kintone allows JavaScript and CSS customization, enabling unlimited possibilities. Airtable's scripting is limited and sandboxed.
What You Can Build with Kintone JS:
- Custom UI components and layouts
- PDF generation (contracts, invoices, reports)
- Complex calculations and validations
- Third-party API integrations (payment gateways, SMS, etc.)
- Barcode and QR code scanning
- Custom dashboards with Chart.js, ApexCharts
- Integration with any external system
💰 Pricing Comparison
- Standard Plan~$24/user/mo
- RecordsUnlimited
- Storage5GB + 5GB/user
- WorkflowsIncluded
- API AccessIncluded
- Security CertsSOC2, ISO (all plans)
- PH SupportYes (Edamame)
- Pro Plan$20/user/mo
- Records50,000/base
- Storage20GB/base
- Automations25,000 runs/mo
- API AccessIncluded
- Security CertsEnterprise only
- PH SupportNone
💡 Hidden Costs to Consider
Airtable: Add Zapier ($20-100/mo) for workflows, upgrade plans when hitting record limits, no local support means DIY troubleshooting.
Kintone: May need JS development for advanced customizations (or use Edamame Inc.'s services).
🎯 Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
✅ Choose Kintone If:
- You need unlimited records for growing data
- You require approval workflows and process management
- You want JavaScript customization capabilities
- You need local Philippine support (English, Filipino, Japanese)
- You're building enterprise-grade applications
- Data security and compliance are critical
- You want one platform for CRM, inventory, HR, and more
✅ Choose Airtable If:
- You have less than 50,000 records total
- You prefer a spreadsheet-like interface
- You need a free tier to get started
- Your workflows are simple (no approvals)
- You're a small team under 10 people
- Budget is your primary concern
- You mainly need a simple database or content calendar
🏆 Our Recommendation for Philippine Businesses
Kintone is the better choice for most growing Philippine businesses. The unlimited records alone justify the investment—you'll never need to migrate when you outgrow the platform. Add in native workflow automation, local support from Edamame Inc., and enterprise security on all plans, and it's a clear winner for serious business applications.
🚀 See Kintone in Action
Get a personalized demo showing how Kintone compares to Airtable for your specific use case. Free, no obligation.
Schedule Free Demo →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate from Airtable to Kintone?
Yes! Export your Airtable data to CSV and import directly into Kintone. The process is straightforward, and Edamame Inc. offers migration assistance for Philippine businesses to ensure a smooth transition.
Is Kintone harder to learn than Airtable?
Airtable has a lower initial learning curve due to its familiar spreadsheet interface. Kintone takes slightly longer to learn (1-2 days vs a few hours), but offers significantly more capabilities. Most users find Kintone intuitive once they complete the initial setup.
Does Airtable have local support in the Philippines?
No. Airtable has no local presence in the Philippines. Support is online-only in English. Kintone has official local support through Edamame Inc. with support in English, Filipino, and Japanese.
Which is better for CRM?
Kintone is better for CRM because it offers unlimited customer records, built-in workflow automation for sales processes, and JavaScript customization for PDF quotes, email integration, and more. Airtable works for basic contact management but lacks enterprise CRM features.
Can I use both platforms together?
Yes, both have APIs and can integrate via Zapier or Make. However, most businesses find it simpler to consolidate on one platform. Kintone can handle virtually any use case you might have in Airtable.