Knack
If your team is stuck managing business operations through spreadsheets or aging systems that require a developer for every small change, it’s probably time to reconsider your setup.
That’s where Knack steps in.
This no-code platform helps you build fully functional web apps around your business data, without writing a single line of code. In this Knack Review, I’ll walk you through how it works, what it offers, and where it fits best.
Knack combines a built-in database, drag-and-drop layout tools, forms, workflows, and permission controls in one browser-based interface. Rather than depending on IT experts every time your workflow changes, you can build what you need in-house.
It’s designed for small teams, business owners who want ease in translating business changes into their IT system without turning to a full-time app developer.
Features
-
Build entire apps in your browser using drag-and-drop tools
-
Organize, relate, and structure business data with built-in tools
-
Link Knack to your tech stack or custom systems
-
Control visibility, user roles, and permissions within your apps
-
All plans support unlimited users, with clear pricing tiers
Pros
-
No coding required to build powerful apps
-
Excellent data management features
-
Customizable user roles and permissions
-
Built-in reporting and dashboards
-
Supports payment processing
Cons
-
Limited options for design and layout customization
-
No native mobile app experience
-
Customer support is slow
Knack Review Methodology
Geekflare tested Knack No-Code app builder by creating custom business apps. We compared its features, pricing, UI design with leading competitors to see where it stands. Our review is based on hands-on testing and feedback – from people who have talked to us directly, and from review platforms.
What Is Knack?
Knack helps teams build custom business apps without coding. It can help you manage customers with CRMs, track inventory, create client portals, and design dashboards.
Everything happens through a simple drag-and-drop setup that makes arranging data, creating workflows, and designing interfaces straightforward.
Since its start in 2010, Knack has grown steadily as a fully remote company. Today, it serves more than 5,000 businesses from small startups to large Fortune 500 firms.
Users have created over 10,000 apps and stored more than a billion records using Knack.
It also supports many languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and several others, helping teams worldwide tailor apps that fit their workflows and customers.
Is Knack Really Easy to Use?
You don’t need to be a developer to build with Knack, but you do need to understand how your business works.
The platform is designed to keep things simple, but it expects you to think logically about your data, users, and workflows. If you’ve used spreadsheets or mapped out business processes before, the transition feels natural.
The drag-and-drop setup and visual logic builder help you move quickly, but you still have to think through how things connect.
Once you build your first app, the process starts to feel rewarding. And this sentiment is not just mine.
I recently spoke with Mike, a marketing & sales executive who’s used Knack extensively for internal tools, client dashboards, and lightweight CRMs.
Here’s how he explained his experience.
What did Mike say?
Mike Dickens
Knack does not hold your hand, but it does not get in your way either. Once you know your goal, it’s all there.
-
1. What was your starting point before using Knack?
I had no coding background, mostly worked in Airtable and Excel.
At first, I found the terminology a bit technical, especially around data types and user roles. But the layout helped. I just started clicking around, testing small changes, and gradually piecing it together. -
2. Was there a moment where it ‘clicked’ for you?
Yes. It was when I linked multiple tables and created a dashboard view for a client. Seeing how user roles, data, and pages came together visually made everything make sense. After that, I started using Knack for more advanced setups like customer portals.
-
3. Did anything slow you down or frustrate you in the beginning?
The logic behind workflows took time to get used to. I’d sometimes forget to trigger an event or apply the right rule. Also, some built-in help feels a bit thin; you have to explore or go to community threads to find your way. But once I understood the system, I rarely felt stuck.
Key Features of Knack
Knack gives teams a way to build structured apps around their data. Every feature supports a clear task, such as organizing records, designing front-ends, managing user roles, or automating workflows.
Let’s look at the foundation it all runs on.
1. Online Database Builder
This is Knack’s core. It allows you to build custom databases through a visual interface.
You can add tables, define relationships, and link data points like text, dates, dropdowns, numbers, and file uploads. The setup feels like working inside a spreadsheet but with more structure and control.
You start by creating objects, which are basically tables for people, projects, tasks, or anything else you need to track. Each object can have fields like “name,” “status,” “due date,” and so on. You can connect objects using one-to-many or many-to-many links and build logic to filter and sort records.
Forms can be linked to tables, so users can add or edit data without seeing everything. You can also set rules to show/hide fields, send emails, or update other records when someone fills a form. The builder is fully web-based and does not require a local setup.
Note: The more complex your app becomes, the harder it gets to manage the schema. Knack does not show a clear map of how objects link together. If you change a field name or delete something, it can break views or rules connected to it. There’s no built-in history or rollback for database changes.
And here’s a perspective from someone using it regularly.
What did Adam say?
Adam Copenhaver
Knack’s database builder helped me go from scribbles in a notebook to a working tool for my team, without calling a developer.
-
1. How comfortable was it for you to set up your database from scratch?
The first hour was mostly trial and error. But once I figured out how to link objects and use formulas, it became clear. I didn’t need any code, and that’s a win. I could just build what I needed and keep improving as we used it.
-
2. Does it cover the full scope of what you wanted to build?
Mostly yes. I was able to create tables for vendors, leads, tasks, and projects. Each object had custom views for different users. The only missing part was a better way to visualize how things were connected. That would’ve helped me avoid a few messy setups.
-
3. What’s one real problem you faced while working with this feature?
Once I deleted a field, thinking I didn’t need it, it turned out it was used in a rule on another page. The app broke, and I had to rebuild that part. There’s no warning system for that kind of thing, so you really need to double-check everything before making edits.
Another user at G2 summed it up well:
Great native features for building a database, and laying out a user-friendly front-end.
– Stephen C on G2
2. Pre-built Templates & Knack AI Builder
Knack offers a collection of ready-to-use templates for common use cases, CRMs, project trackers, job portals, directories, and more.
These templates come with pre-configured data objects, forms, workflows, and user roles. You can edit, remove, or add fields depending on your needs.
What’s new is the AI Builder. Once you enter a basic idea, like “an app to manage customer feedback” or “a portal for equipment rentals,” Knack’s AI drafts an entire setup. It builds sample objects, adds fields, connects them, and even sets up a few rules.
You can then fine-tune things based on how your team works.
This feature is especially useful for new users who want to skip the early friction of building out a structure manually. It also gives a solid head start if you’re trying Knack for the first time or comparing it with other No-Code App Builders.
Quick Note: The templates are not as flexible once you install them. If you make too many edits, you can lose track of what was built where. Also, the AI Builder often names objects and fields in ways that don’t match your team’s language, so there’s some cleanup needed.
Here’s how one early user summed it up.
What did Marcella say?
Marcella Lugo
The AI builder gave me a full layout in minutes. That saved at least two days of setup.
-
1. How well did the AI Builder understand your app idea?
It got the structure right, customers, feedback forms, and internal notes. But some field names felt generic. I had to rename and adjust a few. Still, it was way better than building every object from scratch.
-
2. Did you count only on templates or combine them with manual edits?
I started with the CRM template but added my own workflow steps and custom roles. The base layout helped speed things up, but manual tweaking was still needed for real-world fit.
-
3. Any pain points when working with the templates or AI suggestions?
When I deleted parts of the template that I didn’t need, a few rules and views got affected. I had to double back and fix those connections. It’s not very obvious what’s linked where until something breaks.
3. Workflow Automation & Scheduled Tasks
Knack allows you to automate routine tasks inside your app without touching any code.
You can set up rules that trigger actions like sending an email, updating a field, or showing a message whenever a user submits a form, changes a record, or reaches a certain value.
It also supports scheduled tasks. That means you can run recurring updates, like resetting status fields every Monday, auto-archiving old records at month-end, or triggering reminders daily at 8 AM.
You’ll find most automation tools inside the “Tasks” and “Rules” sections. These let you connect user behavior to back-end logic. It’s simple, however powerful, for teams that want to streamline internal operations.
Knack doesn’t require integrations with third-party tools for basic automations, but if you want to go deeper, you can still connect it to advanced workflow automation software using tools like Zapier or Make.
But here’s what could be improved:
- No visual automation builder, setting up workflows feels technical despite being no-code
- It lacks built-in “approval” flows or multistep condition trees
- Logs and errors from scheduled tasks aren’t very detailed, making troubleshooting harder
- More advanced filters or triggers, like “if a field hasn’t changed for X days,” are missing
- You can’t easily test scheduled tasks before making them live
4. Forms & Signatures
Knack includes flexible form-building tools that help teams collect and manage data from users, staff, or clients.
You can add fields like text, dates, numbers, file uploads, and dropdowns. Every form links directly to your database, so the moment someone fills it out, the record is instantly updated.
Forms can include conditional logic, so one field appears only if another is selected. You can also create multipage forms or restrict who can see and submit them. For companies that need approvals, Knack makes it possible to design workflows around submitted data.
The signature field is especially useful for contracts, service forms, and acknowledgments. Users can draw their signature using a mouse or finger, and it gets saved as an image in their database.
Here’s what’s not so great:
Knack’s signature tool works fine but feels basic. There’s no option for typed signatures or identity verification. Also, the styling of forms can be limiting unless you use custom CSS.
Let’s hear what one of Knack’s users had to say.
What did Mikhail say?
Mikhail Koriakin
The forms are reliable and do exactly what we need, no fluff, just function.
-
1. How easy is it to build and connect forms to your workflow?
Setting up a form is quick. You pick a data object, drag in the fields, and choose actions like sending emails or hiding fields. The learning curve is light if you’ve built forms before, even in tools like Google Forms or Typeform.
-
2. Have you faced any limitations while using the signature feature?
Yes. The signature field works, but it’s static. You can’t timestamp the signature, and there’s no user verification to prove who signed. It’s fine for internal approvals, but I wouldn’t use it for anything legal.
-
3. Does Knack allow enough design flexibility in form layouts?
You get the basics: label alignment, field order, and grouping. But styling beyond that requires custom CSS. We had to bring in a developer to match our brand. It works, but it’s not point-and-click easy if you want a polished look.
5. Dashboards & Data Visualization
Knack allows you to turn raw data into clean, functional dashboards with real-time updates.
You can pull in charts, graphs, tables, and number summaries, each powered by live data from your backend.
Users can build dashboards specific to roles. A manager sees different data than a staff member, and clients only access their relevant figures. You can apply filters, color-code charts, and even display alerts when thresholds are crossed.
The dashboard components include bar charts, pie charts, and line graphs. These are tied to the app’s logic and forms, which means users aren’t just seeing visuals; they can click to take action.
A real plus: Knack users have created over 60,000 dashboards across industries, proof that this feature is central to its platform and trusted at scale.
Now, let’s hear from someone who uses Knack dashboards daily.
What did Ben say?
Ben Cohen
I love how each dashboard tells a story without needing a spreadsheet.
-
1. What’s your favorite part about building dashboards in Knack?
The customization is simple. I can choose which data appears, filter it, and format it without code. It’s drag-and-drop, and within minutes, I have something usable. For my team, this is way better than exporting to Excel.
-
2. Did you face any issues with the charting options or limitations?
Some chart types are basic. I couldn’t create stacked bars or mixed chart formats. For deeper insights, we sometimes still pull data into tools like Power BI. But for everyday tracking, Knack is more than enough.
-
3. Do your dashboards help reduce back-and-forth between teams?
Definitely, everyone now sees the same data, organized by roles. Instead of emailing for updates or status reports, the dashboard speaks for itself. It’s one of the biggest reasons we stuck with Knack over other platforms.
6. User Roles, Logins & Permissions
Knack provides a solid system to control who accesses your data and what they can do within your app.
You can define multiple user roles tailored to your team’s structure, such as administrators with full control, editors who can update content, or viewers with read-only rights. Assigning these roles is straightforward and flexible, allowing you to adapt as your team grows or project needs change.
Each individual user logs in with a unique account, backed by security measures like password protection and email verification.
These controls help maintain data privacy and ensure accountability. Adjusting permissions is easy, you can quickly change who can view, edit, or manage different parts of the app.
The permissions system promotes efficient collaboration by clearly separating tasks and reducing the chance of accidental edits. It also supports audit trails, so you can track user activity when needed.
While the interface for setting permissions is user-friendly, previewing what each role can do requires switching accounts, which can slow down testing.
Here’s a user’s take on this feature.
What did Kathryn say?
Kathryn Wu
Setting user roles was clear and made managing permissions hassle-free.
-
1. How easy was it to set up user access?
Assigning roles matched my team’s workflow perfectly. The process didn’t require complex steps and made it easy to control who sees what.
-
2. Are there any drawbacks to handling permissions?
Testing roles is a bit cumbersome since you have to log in as different users. A preview mode inside the platform would speed this up.
-
3. How did permissions affect your workflow?
Clear role definitions reduced errors and kept sensitive data secure. Team members stayed focused on their tasks, knowing their access was properly managed.
7. Integrations
Knack plays well with other tools. It connects with popular services through Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and native APIs, so you can link your app to tools like Gmail, Slack, Google Sheets, QuickBooks, and more. This makes it easier to move data between platforms.
Knack’s API also allows developers to build custom workflows or add features on top of existing apps. For teams already using other software, this flexibility matters a lot.
What’s useful is that you don’t need to know how to code to use most of these integrations; Zapier or Make handle the heavy lifting.
However, the setup does require some trial and error, especially when trying to pass data between complex fields or automate multistep workflows. Also, deeper integrations often need a paid third-party account.
Let’s hear what a user experienced with integrations.
What did Katie say?
Katie Cary
I connected Knack to Google Sheets and Slack in under an hour—it made daily updates way easier.
-
1. What kind of integrations did you try first?
I started with Google Sheets and Gmail. They were simple to configure, and I immediately saw how much time I could save by removing manual tasks.
-
2. Was there anything that felt limiting while using integrations?
Yes, when trying to automate a three-step workflow, I had to rely on Zapier’s premium plan. Also, mapping complex Knack fields sometimes needed support.
-
3. How do integrations fit into your team’s workflow now?
They’re part of everything. From new leads syncing into our CRM to automated alerts on Slack, it helps the team stay on top of things without switching tools constantly.
Knack in Action: Business Use Cases
Teams use Knack when things stop working, when spreadsheets get messy. When tools stop talking to each other, it’s for building apps that feel like they belong.
Modernizing and Replacing Legacy Systems
I’ve seen teams still managing full operations inside Excel, orders, suppliers, and tracking sheets, all in different tabs. It works, until it doesn’t. One small retail team replaced all of it with a simple Knack app.
Vendor lists, delivery dates, and status updates now live in one place.
It wasn’t some big-budget system swap. Just something they built step by step, now no more version conflicts or going through email threads.
Building Custom Internal Tools
A project manager I spoke with built her team’s own CRM in Knack. It had only what they needed: lead stages, notes, files, and reminders. No bloated menus, no need to “figure out” the software.
Another team set up a warehouse app with barcode scans and stock alerts. And one HR lead made a simple staff portal for leave, training, and laptops.
These weren’t tech experts. They just needed tools that actually fit their jobs.
If you’re looking for simple, flexible solutions, check out tools to build internal tools to find options like Knack that adapt to your needs.
Automating Business Processes & Workflows
Small and medium businesses in healthcare, construction, education, and SaaS benefit from Knack’s automation tools.
Healthcare teams manage patient intake and reminders efficiently. Construction crews track project progress and equipment use with ease. Schools handle enrollments and schedules through automated steps. SaaS firms streamline onboarding and support tasks smoothly.
Setting up workflows helps teams meet deadlines and reduces errors. Automation saves time, letting staff focus on their core business activities.
Knack adapts to different industries by simplifying routine processes and improving overall productivity.
Knack Pricing and Plans
| Feature | Starter Plan | Pro Plan | Corporate Plan | Enterprise Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (per month, billed yearly) | $49 | $99 | $224 | On Request |
| Database Records | 20,000 | 50,000 | 125,000 | Custom |
| File Storage | 2 GB | 10 GB | 50 GB | Custom |
| Number of Apps | 3 | 8 | 25 | Custom |
| API Calls per Day | 1,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | Custom |
| Transactions per Month | 350 | 750 | 1,500 | Custom |
| AI App Builder | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Scheduled Tasks | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom Branding | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ecommerce Payments | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Maps & Geolocation | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Record History | ❌ | 1 month | 2 months | 3 months |
| App Restores | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | ❌ | ❌ | Advanced | Advanced |
| IP Blocking | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| White Labeling | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Support Response Time | Basic email/support | 48 hours | 24 hours | Dedicated manager |
| HIPAA/GovCloud Compliance | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Free Trial | 14 days (no credit card) | 14 days (no credit card) | 14 days (no credit card) | 14 days (no credit card) |
The Pro Plan provides a strong balance between features and cost for most small and medium businesses. It supports larger databases, better storage, scheduled tasks, and customization without being overly expensive.
For larger organizations with advanced security and support needs, the Corporate or Enterprise Plans are better suited. The Starter Plan works for smaller teams or pilot projects.
Where Knack Lacks
We all know everything has its second side, and the same goes for Knack as well. Here are some areas where it could improve:
- UI customization options feel limited, making it tough to create highly unique designs.
- Complex workflows require a bit of a learning curve to set up correctly.
- Integration choices are somewhat narrow, which might not cover every tool you need.
Knack Alternatives
Knack has several strong competitors, each with its own strengths.
Here’s a look at how Knack compares with Softr, Glide, Bubble, Airtable, and Retool. This will help you see the key differences in features, pricing, and user focus.
| Platform | Primary Focus | Target User | Workflow Automation | Free Plan | Starting Price (Yearly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knack | Database Apps, Internal Tools | Business Users, Non-Technical | ✅ | ✅ | $49 |
| Softr | Client Portals, Web Applications | Non-Technical, Business Users | ✅ | ✅ | $49 |
| Glide | Mobile Apps, Web Applications | Non-Technical, Business Users | ✅ | ✅ | $19 (For individuals) |
| Bubble | Web Applications, Workflow Automation | Developers, Business Users | ✅ | ✅ | $29 |
| Airtable | Database Apps, Workflow Automation | Non-Technical, Business Users | ✅ | ✅ | $20 |
| Retool | Internal Tools, Workflow Automation | Developers | ✅ | ✅ | $10 + $5 |
Knack Verdict: Should You Use It to Replace a Legacy System?
I’ve spent time exploring Knack and how it fits into modern business needs, especially for replacing legacy systems.
For small and medium businesses, Knack offers a clear way to move away from complicated spreadsheets and fragmented tools. It simplifies data management and creates custom apps that match your workflow without needing deep technical skills.
Knack stands out because of its robust database builder, easy-to-use templates, and flexible automation.
These features help teams streamline their processes while keeping control over how their apps look and work. The ability to build internal tools quickly and scale them as needed is a major plus for growing businesses.
For these reasons, Knack earns the GeekFlare’s Innovation Award. It delivers practical solutions, a smooth user experience, and reliable performance that many SMBs will find valuable.
If you’re ready to upgrade your systems without overwhelming your team, Knack deserves a serious look.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Knack’s flexible database and dashboard tools make it possible to create customized internal reporting systems. You can design reports tailored to your team’s needs, with real-time data updates and visualizations.
Knack does not have a free plan, but it offers a 14-day free trial. This trial gives full access to explore its features before choosing a paid subscription.
Knack apps are fully accessible on mobile browsers. While it doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app, its responsive design ensures usability across devices.