VKS Pricing: What You Need to Know When Choosing a Visual Knowledge Platform

VKS is a visual knowledge sharing platform primarily for manufacturing and industrial operations. Its core use is replacing paperwork instructions with digital, visual step-by-step guides that can include images, videos, and annotations. VKS helps standardise processes, reduce errors, improve training, and connect frontline workers with up-to-date instructions.

It’s one of the platforms that make it easier for organisations to share knowledge and train employees on daily operations and processes. As a work instruction software, it provides a lot of benefits, but do all these benefits justify the pricing of the product? Let’s explore more in this article.

The Challenge with VKS’s Pricing Model

VKS aims to streamline the process of cascading SOPs and, as their name suggests, enhance knowledge sharing across the organisation. While it offers value, its pricing structure comes with challenges that can make adoption difficult: 

• No published upfront pricing - On their website, VKS only provides the tiers available for the product – lite, pro, and enterprise. To get an estimate of the cost, users will have to directly contact their team or book a demo. Potential customers may know more details with this approach, but it can also make it harder to compare alternatives from the get-go.
• High cost per user - Although VKS doesn’t have a published pricing tier, sources like Capterra, and GetApp state that this can start at around $350 USD per user, per month. For smaller operations or many users, that starting cost can be high. The fixed costs and per-user scale make it expensive for teams needing many licenses.
• Add-on costs - VKS offers features that aren’t included in other plans and can only be obtained if the plan is either upgraded or specific features are added. When accumulated, this can increase the cost of implementation compared to the initial estimate.
• Unclear ROI justification - If VKS is mainly used for work instructions and not widely adopted across the workforce, the subscription cost may outweigh the value, especially when the cost per active user appears disproportionately high.

What Users Say About VKS as a Software

To find out more about this software, here are some reviews from real users and industry experts about VKS as a platform:

• Limitations with the mobile app - A review from Research.com states that the mobile app lacks several features that are available on the desktop version. For frontline workers and field teams who rely heavily on mobile, this can create usability gaps.
• Not intuitive at times - A user from a small manufacturing company noted that some features and functionality may not be as intuitive for new users—although this can be resolved through a few workarounds. Another review echoed this, describing the interface as initially challenging before users get accustomed to it.
• Takes time to implement - According to a popular app review site, based on real user feedback, it takes about four months on average to fully implement VKS. For organisations looking for a quick rollout, this extended setup can delay employee onboarding and even increase the risk of failed digital adoption.

📌While these reviews don’t negate the value that VKS brings, they highlight areas where potential customers should carefully weigh the pros and cons, especially when considering cost, usability, and implementation speed.

Meet Knowby: A Cost-Effective Alternative to VKS as a Work Instruction Software

Since VKS doesn’t share its pricing publicly, we looked into available sources and app review sites. If their actual pricing is anywhere near $350 per user per month, as several reports suggest, this is definitely a steep cost for most manufacturing teams. If you’re looking for a more affordable and user-friendly alternative, consider Knowby. It’s a digital instruction platform that’s simple, intuitive, and priced to fit any team’s budget.

Here’s how Knowby and VKS compare in terms of basic aspects:

*For the cost, detail is based on data from popular review sites. To get an actual estimate, you have to connect with the VKS sales team.

Why Switch to Knowby

While VKS is primarily designed for manufacturing environments, Knowby stands out because it’s versatile across industries and departments. This means companies don’t just see benefits on the shop floor, but also in offices, remote teams, field operations, and more. This same tool is built to standardise processes and accelerate training across the entire organisation, not just in production.

Here are the key reasons why organisations choose Knowby:

• Designed for all departments and industries – From manufacturing to remote workers and office teams, Knowby adapts to diverse workflows, making it a company-wide solution.
• Lower cost per user – At just ~ US$3/user/month, Knowby delivers big savings, especially for larger workforces.
• Transparent pricing – Clear, upfront pricing ensures no hidden costs, add-ons, or complex contract negotiations.
• Faster implementation/onboarding – With a lightweight, intuitive design, Knowby can be deployed in hours instead of months, allowing teams to see ROI faster.
• Scalability with less budget strain – Costs scale gently as your workforce grows, making budgeting predictable and sustainable.
• Modern usability and flexibility – Built for non-tech users, Knowby eliminates the training overhead and provides a smoother experience compared to more complex platforms.

Knowby’s ROI Calculator

Beyond supporting internal teams, Knowby also scales to client and public-facing instructions. By giving customers clear, accessible guidance, companies reduce customer support demands and empower clients to solve problems independently. This not only saves time but also builds stronger trust and efficiency across teams. 

A great example comes from Bearhug, which used Knowby instructions accessible via a QR code on their samples. Prospects could instantly learn how to use the product, leading to a smoother buying journey.

Knowby also now has an ROI calculator, a feature that enables users to estimate potential savings by adopting Knowby as a digital solution. Give it a try!

Explore Knowby’s ROI calculator further.

Empower Your Team at a Fraction of the Cost

VKS is a sensible choice for manufacturers needing advanced work instructions, but its high cost and narrower focus can limit its potential as a platform. Knowby, on the other hand, delivers broader versatility across industries, can be integrated with any system, offers transparent pricing, and faster deployment, all at a fraction of the cost. For organisations looking to empower every department, Knowby offers a more scalable and future-ready solution.

Ready to explore a smarter alternative to VKS? Learn more about Knowby and how it can help you scale digital instructions.

👉 Try Knowby Pro Free for 30 Days

All registered trademarks, company names, and brand names used on this website are the property of their respective owners. Information on product features and pricing are taken directly from the vendor's website, marketing materials and/or customer research. Features and prices may change. Check with the vendor for the latest pricing. Please contact us to report any corrections.

Please note that while both platforms offer a range of features, the specific implementations and user experiences may vary. It is recommended to explore each platform's offerings in detail to determine the best fit for your organisation's needs.