The Kanri Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Kanri in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Kanri
The Insider’s Guide
Offline kanban board app for Windows, macOS and Linux
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among to-do list apps, read from Kanri’s own pages.
Made by Kanri Team · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Kanri’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Kanri’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 92 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade
Kanri is a free, open-source kanban board app for the desktop that runs without an internet connection or an account. Boards hold columns and cards with rich-text descriptions, sub-tasks, due dates and tags, and all of it is saved in one local JSON file. It is aimed at personal use and solo developers: there is no cloud sync or collaboration, and the developers say a sync service of their own is not planned in the near future.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Kanri, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The app isn't code-signed, and the README says it's still in development and to back up often.
- 1
Best for private kanban boards on one computer
It stays on that one computer: no sync, no phone or web app, no sharing, and the data file can't be moved into a synced folder yet.
- 2
It is free
Kanri has no paid plan at all. The whole app is free and open source under GPL v3, with no paid version, no account and no usage tracking. The FAQ says the project generates no revenue.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 4
Boards, columns and cards
Unlimited boards, each with customizable columns for the stages of a workflow and cards that move between them.
- 5
Card details
A card can carry a rich-text description written in a Markdown-like format, along with sub-tasks, a due date and tags.
- 6
Local storage with no account
All data is stored on the computer in a single JSON file. The app needs no internet connection or sign-up and does not track usage.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 92 of 123
That is against the other to-do list apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Kanri is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Kanri at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Kanri Team, since 2022
- Category
- To-Do List Apps
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for private kanban boards on one computer
Kanri is a free, open-source kanban board for Windows, Mac and Linux that keeps everything on your computer, with no account and unlimited boards. It stays on that one computer: no sync, no phone or web app, no sharing, and the data file can't be moved into a synced folder yet. The app isn't code-signed, and the README says it's still in development and to back up often.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | A desktop program you download for nothing, with unlimited boards, columns and cards and no paid version to graduate to. The FAQ says the project makes no money at all, where the rest of this category wants $2.42 to $5.00 a month. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright on Windows, Mac and Linux under GPL v3. No account, no caps on boards or cards, and no usage tracking, so there's no wall to walk into later. |
| Features | C | Boards with your own columns, cards with a formatted description, sub-tasks, a due date and tags, and a Trello import that keeps all of it. The listing's own gaps are big ones, though: no sync, no collaboration, no reminders, and the data file can't even be moved into a synced folder yet. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record, and the work is building the board itself: your columns, your cards, your tags. Getting in can snag too, since the app isn't code-signed, so your system may flag it and Apple Silicon Macs may need a Terminal command. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Desktop and nothing else: Windows, Mac and Linux downloads, with no phone app and no web version, and boards that don't sync between machines. A Trello import is the only link to another product. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Kanri is for
- Fits if you want a personal kanban board that stays on your computer
- Works for moving a board off Trello with its cards, due dates and tags
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want your boards on your phone, as there's no mobile or web version
- Too light for teams, because there's no collaboration and no cloud sync
- Not for you if security warnings put you off, since the app isn't code-signed and Apple Silicon Macs may need a Terminal command
- Watch out: the data file can't be moved yet, so you can't sync boards through a shared folder
- Watch out: the README says it's provided as is, still in development, and to make regular backups
Good to know
Good for
- Personal kanban boards kept on one computer
- Solo developers who want boards without an account
- People moving a board off Trello to a local app
Worth knowing
- Desktop only: downloads are offered for Windows, macOS and Linux, with no mobile or web version.
- There is no cloud sync or collaboration, and the FAQ says the data file's location cannot be changed yet, so boards cannot be placed in a synced folder.
- The app is not code-signed, so the operating system may flag it as unsafe; Apple Silicon Mac users may need to run a Terminal command if macOS reports the app as broken.
- The README says the project is still in active development, is provided as is, and that users should make regular backups.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Kanri is free to use.
A desktop program you download for nothing, with unlimited boards, columns and cards and no paid version to graduate to.
Free
$0
The complete desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, with unlimited boards, columns and cards.
The free plan
The whole app is free and open source under GPL v3, with no paid version, no account and no usage tracking. The FAQ says the project generates no revenue.
Read from kanriapp.com on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Offline kanban board app for Windows, macOS and Linux. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, local-first, tasks, kanban boards.
Boards with your own columns, cards with a formatted description, sub-tasks, a due date and tags, and a Trello import that keeps all of it.
- Boards, columns and cards
- Unlimited boards, each with customizable columns for the stages of a workflow and cards that move between them.
- Card details
- A card can carry a rich-text description written in a Markdown-like format, along with sub-tasks, a due date and tags.
- Local storage with no account
- All data is stored on the computer in a single JSON file. The app needs no internet connection or sign-up and does not track usage.
- Themes and backgrounds
- Light, dark and Catppuccin themes are included, and custom themes and board background images can be set.
- Keyboard and click shortcuts
- Keyboard shortcuts create, rename and delete columns, add cards and change column zoom. Double-clicking renames a card or edits a sub-task without opening the card.
- Import and export
- Boards exported from Trello as JSON can be imported with their columns, cards, descriptions, sub-tasks, due dates and tags. Single boards or all data can be exported as a backup.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- Trello
Kanri is made by Kanri Team, and has been around since 2022.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
92/123
Other to-do list apps it is graded above
Kanri's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 92 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 87 of 123) and worst on features (C, above 8).
Kanri has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 124 to-do list apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Kanri’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 69 of 123
- AFree plan and trialAbove 87 of 123
- CFeaturesAbove 8 of 123
- CEase of useAbove 10 of 123
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 19 of 123
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 99 to-do list apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Kanri is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Kanri is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 92 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade.
What you could make
- Kanban boards and tasks: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- Sharing with other people, which means accounts and invitations.
What this rests on. Kanri’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Brisqi, Trello, Tasks.md, Super Productivity and Kan Do
The 5 tools Kanri is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Brisqi
Free plan · from $29.99 one-time
Offline-first personal kanban app with one-time licenses.
- Only Brisqi lists iOS and Android apps.
- Kanri is open source, according to its own site.
- Brisqi is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Trello
Free plan · from $5/mo
Kanban boards with an inbox, planner and built-in automation.
- Only Kanri lists a Linux app.
- Only Trello lists a web app.
- Only Trello lists iOS and Android apps.
- 2.2GPA
Tasks.md
Free
Self-hosted kanban board that stores cards as Markdown files.
- Only Kanri lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Only Tasks.md lists a web app.
- Tasks.md is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- 3.4GPA
Super Productivity
Free
Free, open-source to-do app with time tracking and a Pomodoro timer.
- Only Super Productivity lists a web app.
- Only Super Productivity lists iOS and Android apps.
- Super Productivity also covers Pomodoro timer and time tracking.
- 2.0GPA
Kan Do
From $2.99 one-time
Personal kanban boards for Mac, iPhone and iPad, bought once.
- Kanri has a free plan. Kan Do does not.
- Only Kanri lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Kan Do lists an iOS app.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Kanri free?
Yes. Kanri is free to use.
How much does Kanri cost?
Kanri lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Kanri work on?
Kanri is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Kanri have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Kanri is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Kanri have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Kanri is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Kanri open source?
Yes. Kanri is open source, according to its own site.
Does Kanri work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does Kanri integrate with?
Kanri's listing names Trello. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Kanri?
Kanri is made by Kanri Team. It dates from 2022.
What are the alternatives to Kanri?
The closest alternatives to Kanri in our directory are Brisqi, Trello, Tasks.md, Super Productivity and Kan Do.
How does Kanri compare with other to-do list apps?
Kanri's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 92 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade, and level with 10.
Is Kanri good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Kanri A for value for money. Kanri has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Kanri?
Kanri is free, so making your own would save you nothing. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 92 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Kanri’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Kanri's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-02-12.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Kanri Team. Prices change, so check kanriapp.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Kanri, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/kanri
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Kanri: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/kanri
Know someone choosing between to-do list apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/kanri/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded to-do list apps after Kanri, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- To-Do List Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 124 to-do list apps we grade, compared
- Apple Reminders Insider's GuideApple's free to-do app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch3.6 GPA
- Microsoft To Do Insider's GuideFree to-do list from Microsoft that syncs with Outlook tasks3.6 GPA
- Google Tasks Insider's GuideGoogle's to-do list, built into Gmail, Calendar, Chat and Docs3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Kanri’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Kanri is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Kanri Team. Prices and plans change: check kanriapp.com before you buy.