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Software · head to head

MuleSoft vs Retool

MuleSoft logo

MuleSoft

Software

Integration platform as a service (iPaaS) with robust API management

From
$1500/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Retool logo

Retool

Software

The rapid internal tool platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Retool has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MuleSoft listed on UK G-Cloud at £6.39 per user per month for the Salesforce MuleSoft Anypoint Platform, via reseller Skyflo Digital Ltd; 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: MuleSoft covers API Gateway, Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MuleSoft and Retool actually diverge.

Attributes where MuleSoft and Retool differ
AttributeMuleSoftRetool
Starting price$1500/monthlyFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridWeb, Self-hosted
Founded19992017

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 MuleSoft

  • API Gateway
  • API Design
  • Integration Platform
  • Salesforce
  • SAP
  • Oracle
  • AWS
  • ServiceNow

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.

MuleSoft

  • API Developmentnot Retool
  • API Gatewaynot Retool
  • API Testingnot Retool
  • API Documentationnot Retool
  • Microservicesnot Retool

Retool

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

Where each one falls short

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

MuleSoft

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £6.39 per user per month for the Salesforce MuleSoft Anypoint Platform, via reseller Skyflo Digital Ltd

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

MuleSoft

$1500/monthly
  • Starter$1500/monthly
    • API gateway
    • Design center
    • Basic integration
  • Professional$3500/monthly
    • Advanced integration
    • Analytics
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Full Anypoint platform
    • Custom SLA
    • Advanced security

Retool

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited deployment
    • Community support
  • Professional$100/month
    • Unlimited apps
    • Email support
  • Business$500/month
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose MuleSoft if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want api design.
MuleSoft 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 MuleSoft or Retool better?
Neither clearly leads. MuleSoft starts at $1500/monthly and Retool at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MuleSoft or Retool?
Retool has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1500/monthly for MuleSoft and Free for Retool.
Does MuleSoft or Retool run on more platforms?
MuleSoft runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. 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. MuleSoft starts at $1500/monthly.
What is MuleSoft best used for?
MuleSoft is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Retool is typically brought in for.
What can MuleSoft do that Retool cannot?
MuleSoft covers API Gateway, API Design, Integration Platform, Salesforce. Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Real-time data binding.
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