Surveys · head to head
Formstack vs Retool
Formstack
Surveys
Form builder with document generation and e-signature
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Retool has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Formstack more expensive than form builders that only collect, which is the fair comparison for simple use; Retool builders and internal users are billed as separate seat types, so the true cost depends on the mix rather than the headcount
- They diverge on capability: Formstack covers Form builder, Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Formstack and Retool actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Surveys).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Formstack
- Form builder
- Document generation
- E-signature
- Workflow routing
- Salesforce integration
- Compliance features
Only in Retool
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Database integration
- REST API
- Real-time data binding
- Workflow automation
- Custom code
- Version control
- 200+ integrations
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Formstack
- Processes where a submitted form must become a signed documentnot Retool
- Regulated intake needing HIPAA-capable handlingnot Retool
- Salesforce shops wanting forms and documents inside the CRMnot Retool
Retool
- Building internal admin tools and dashboards over existing databases and APIsnot Formstack
- Giving operations teams a UI for data they would otherwise query by handnot Formstack
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Formstack
- More expensive than form builders that only collect, which is the fair comparison for simple use
- Document generation and signature sit in higher tiers, so the headline price is not the working price
- The interface has accumulated features over a long life and shows it
- Overkill where a form only needs to collect an answer
Retool
- Builders and internal users are billed as separate seat types, so the true cost depends on the mix rather than the headcount
- The free plan is capped at 5 users, 500 workflow runs a month and 5 GB of database capacity
- Audit logging, permission controls, portals and custom branding all require the Business plan at $50 per builder per month billed annually
- External user access is Business only, and is charged in bands above 50 users
- Self hosted deployments mirror the cloud tiers but need Enterprise for unlimited users and SSO
Pricing, plan by plan
Formstack
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Formstack review.
Retool
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited web and mobile apps
- 500 workflow runs monthly
- 5GB database capacity
- Team$10/month
- Builders: $10/month (annual) or $12/month (monthly)
- Internal users: $5/month (annual) or $7/month (monthly)
- 5,000 workflow runs monthly
- Business$50/month
- Builders: $50/month (annual) or $65/month (monthly)
- Internal users: $15/month (annual) or $18/month (monthly)
- Audit logging
- Enterprise$null/contact sales
- Custom pricing
- SSO integration
- Unlimited users
Which should you pick?
Choose Formstack if
- You need form builder.
- You work on Web, Cloud.
- You also want document generation.
Choose Retool if
- You need drag-and-drop builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted.
- You also want database integration.
Questions people ask
- Is Formstack or Retool better?
- Neither clearly leads. Formstack starts at On request and Retool at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Formstack or Retool?
- Retool has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Formstack and Free for Retool.
- Does Formstack or Retool run on more platforms?
- Formstack runs on Web, Cloud. Retool runs on Web, Self-hosted.
- Can I use Retool for free?
- Yes. Retool has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Formstack starts at On request.
- What is Formstack best used for?
- Formstack is most often used for processes where a submitted form must become a signed document, regulated intake needing hipaa-capable handling, salesforce shops wanting forms and documents inside the crm. Of those, processes where a submitted form must become a signed document and regulated intake needing hipaa-capable handling are not what Retool is typically brought in for.
- What can Formstack do that Retool cannot?
- Formstack covers Form builder, Document generation, E-signature, Workflow routing. Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Real-time data binding.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Formstack: What does Formstack cost?
It publishes tiered monthly pricing; document generation and e-signature sit in higher tiers, and HIPAA-capable plans are priced separately.
Retool: How much does Retool cost?
Retool offers a free tier. Paid cloud plans start at $10/month (Team - builders) or $5/month (Team - internal users), $50/month (Business - builders) or $15/month (Business - internal users). Enterprise pricing is custom. Annual billing provides 20% savings.
SourceFormstack: What makes it different from a plain form builder?
It generates documents from submissions and collects signatures on them, which is the step that otherwise involves retyping form data into a template.
Retool: What is the difference between builders and internal users?
Builders are users who create applications in Retool, while internal users are those who only access and use the applications. Internal users cost significantly less than builders on all paid tiers.
SourceFormstack: Is it HIPAA compliant?
It offers HIPAA-capable plans for regulated data. That is a plan-level feature, not the default.
Retool: Can I self-host Retool?
Yes, Free, Team, and Business tiers support self-hosting with comparable features to cloud versions. Enterprise is required for unlimited users, SSO, and advanced self-host features.
SourceRetool: What are AI credits and how do they work?
AI credits are used for app building and AI actions. Free tier includes 250 monthly credits, Team includes 1,000, and Business includes 3,000. Credits renew monthly without carryover and are pooled at the organization level.
Source