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No-Code · head to head

Mendix vs Retool

Mendix logo

Mendix

No-Code

Siemens-owned low-code platform priced by app count, with cloud infrastructure billed separately

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Retool logo

Retool

Surveys

The rapid internal tool platform

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Mendix the platform fee explicitly excludes compute and infrastructure costs, so the real all-in bill is the subscription plus a separate, less predictable cloud hosting charge.; 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: Mendix covers Visual app and process modelling, Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mendix and Retool actually diverge.

Attributes where Mendix and Retool differ
AttributeMendixRetool
Pricing modelPer application tier (One App vs Unlimited Apps), cloud infrastructure billed separatelysubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Self-hosted
CategoryNo-CodeSurveys
FoundedUnknown2017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Mendix

  • Visual app and process modelling
  • Free tier
  • Multi-cloud deployment
  • AI-assisted development
  • Native mobile builder
  • Marketplace connectors

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.

Mendix

  • A Siemens industrial software customer extending into application development on a platform already inside its vendor ecosystemnot Retool
  • A company building exactly one production app that wants the lower One App tier rather than paying for unlimited apps it does not neednot Retool
  • An enterprise standardising on Mendix across many departments where the Unlimited Apps tier amortises wellnot Retool
  • A team wanting to evaluate low-code at zero cost before committing to a paid production tiernot Retool

Retool

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

Where each one falls short

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

Mendix

  • The platform fee explicitly excludes compute and infrastructure costs, so the real all-in bill is the subscription plus a separate, less predictable cloud hosting charge.
  • The jump from a free or One App tier to Unlimited Apps is a large discrete price step (roughly 918 to 2,295 euros a month at published starting rates), not a gradual scale-up, which punishes a team that grows from one app to two.
  • Being a Siemens business unit means Mendix roadmap priorities can be shaped by Siemens' broader industrial software strategy rather than purely by low-code market demand.
  • Deployment flexibility across Mendix Cloud, Azure, Kubernetes and SAP BTP is a strength on paper but means the actual infrastructure cost and complexity vary significantly by choice, complicating like-for-like vendor comparisons.
  • Premium-tier features and enterprise governance capabilities are quote-only, so a buyer cannot fully compare Mendix's top tier against OutSystems or Appian without entering a sales process.

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

Mendix

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited users on one deployment environment
    • No commitment or credit card required
    • Suitable for evaluation and small-scale use
  • Standard, One App$undefined/month
    • Licenses a single application in production
    • Cloud deployment and standard support options
    • Compute and infrastructure costs billed separately
  • Standard, Unlimited Apps$undefined/month
    • Licenses unlimited applications under one subscription
    • Per-user cost declines as user volume grows
    • Discounted external (B2B/B2C) user rates available
  • Premium$undefined/month
    • Custom quote
    • Enterprise-grade governance and 24/7 support
    • Advanced deployment and compliance options

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 Mendix if

  • You need visual app and process modelling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want free tier.
Mendix 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 Mendix or Retool better?
Neither clearly leads. Mendix 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, Mendix or Retool?
Mendix starts at Free and Retool at Free.
Does Mendix or Retool run on more platforms?
Mendix runs on Web, iOS, Android. Retool runs on Web, Self-hosted.
Can I use Mendix for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Mendix best used for?
Mendix is most often used for a siemens industrial software customer extending into application development on a platform already inside its vendor ecosystem, a company building exactly one production app that wants the lower one app tier rather than paying for unlimited apps it does not need, an enterprise standardising on mendix across many departments where the unlimited apps tier amortises well, a team wanting to evaluate low-code at zero cost before committing to a paid production tier. Of those, a siemens industrial software customer extending into application development on a platform already inside its vendor ecosystem and a company building exactly one production app that wants the lower one app tier rather than paying for unlimited apps it does not need are not what Retool is typically brought in for.
What can Mendix do that Retool cannot?
Mendix covers Visual app and process modelling, Free tier, Multi-cloud deployment, AI-assisted development. Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Real-time data binding.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mendix: What is the difference between One App and Unlimited Apps?

One App licenses a single application in production; Unlimited Apps covers any number of apps under one subscription, at a materially higher starting price.

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
Mendix: Does the licence include hosting?

No. Mendix states explicitly that compute and infrastructure resources are billed separately from the platform licence, regardless of deployment target.

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
Mendix: Who owns Mendix?

Siemens, which acquired Mendix in 2018 and runs it as part of its industrial software portfolio.

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
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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