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Surveys · head to head

Jotform vs Retool

Jotform logo

Jotform

Surveys

Powerful forms get more done

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Retool logo

Retool

Surveys

The rapid internal tool platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Jotform free tier limited to 5 forms and 100 monthly submissions; Retool builders and internal users are billed as separate seat types, so the true cost depends on the mix rather than the headcount
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jotform and Retool actually diverge.

Attributes where Jotform and Retool differ
AttributeJotformRetool
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Self-hosted
FoundedUnknown2017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Jotform

Nothing recorded that Retool does not also cover.

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.

Jotform

  • Form creation and collectionnot Retool
  • Survey distributionnot Retool
  • Lead generationnot Retool
  • Workflow automationnot Retool

Retool

  • Building internal admin tools and dashboards over existing databases and APIsnot Jotform
  • Giving operations teams a UI for data they would otherwise query by handnot Jotform

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Jotform

  • Free tier limited to 5 forms and 100 monthly submissions
  • Bronze tier requires $39/month to remove Jotform branding
  • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales

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

Jotform

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 5 active forms
    • 100 monthly submissions
    • 100 MB storage
  • Bronze$39/month
    • 25 active forms
    • 1,000 monthly submissions
    • 1 GB storage
  • Silver$49/month
    • 50 active forms
    • 2,500 monthly submissions
    • 10 GB storage
  • Gold$129/month
    • 100 active forms
    • 10,000 monthly submissions
    • 100 GB storage

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 Jotform if

  • You want to start without paying.
Jotform review

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.
Retool review

Questions people ask

Is Jotform or Retool better?
Neither clearly leads. Jotform starts at Free and Retool at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jotform or Retool?
Jotform starts at Free and Retool at Free.
Does Jotform or Retool run on more platforms?
Jotform runs on Web. Retool runs on Web, Self-hosted.
Can I use Jotform for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Jotform best used for?
Jotform is most often used for form creation and collection, survey distribution, lead generation, workflow automation. Of those, form creation and collection and survey distribution are not what Retool is typically brought in for.
What can Jotform do that Retool cannot?
Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Real-time data binding.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Jotform: Is there a free version of Jotform?

Yes, Jotform's Starter plan is free and allows 5 active forms, 100 monthly submissions, and 100 MB of storage. Jotform branding remains on forms in the free tier.

Source
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.

Source
Jotform: How much does Jotform Bronze cost?

The Bronze plan costs $39 per month when billed monthly, or $408 per year ($34 per month effective). It includes 25 active forms, 1,000 monthly submissions, 1 GB storage, and removable branding.

Source
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.

Source
Jotform: What is included in Jotform's Gold tier?

The Gold plan costs $129 per month billed monthly or $1,188 per year ($99 per month effective). It provides 100 active forms, 10,000 monthly submissions, 100 GB storage, HIPAA-friendly capabilities, and 100 active AI Agents.

Source
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.

Source
Jotform: Does Jotform offer discounts for nonprofits or education?

Yes, educational institutions and nonprofits receive 50% off Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, plus 30% off the Enterprise plan.

Source
Retool: 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
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