Software · head to head
Retool vs Cognito Forms
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Retool builders and internal users are billed as separate seat types, so the true cost depends on the mix rather than the headcount; Cognito Forms individual free plan caps at 100 entries per month and 1 user
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Retool and Cognito Forms actually diverge.
| Attribute | Retool | Cognito Forms |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted | Web |
| Founded | 2017 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Retool
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Database integration
- REST API
- Real-time data binding
- Workflow automation
- Custom code
- Version control
- 200+ integrations
Only in Cognito Forms
Nothing recorded that Retool does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Retool
- Building internal admin tools and dashboards over existing databases and APIsnot Cognito Forms
- Giving operations teams a UI for data they would otherwise query by handnot Cognito Forms
Cognito Forms
No use cases recorded yet. See the Cognito Forms review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Cognito Forms
- Individual free plan caps at 100 entries per month and 1 user
- Pro plan ($24/mo monthly, $19/mo billed annually) still limits to 2 users and 2,000 entries per month
- HIPAA compliance and single sign-on are restricted to the Enterprise tier ($174/mo monthly, $129/mo annual)
Pricing, plan by plan
Retool
Free- FreeFree
- Limited deployment
- Community support
- Professional$100/month
- Unlimited apps
- Email support
- Business$500/month
- Advanced features
- Priority support
Cognito Forms
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Cognito Forms review.
Which should you pick?
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 Retool or Cognito Forms better?
- Neither clearly leads. Retool starts at Free and Cognito Forms at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Retool or Cognito Forms?
- Retool starts at Free and Cognito Forms at Free.
- Does Retool or Cognito Forms run on more platforms?
- Retool runs on Web, Self-hosted. Cognito Forms runs on Web.
- Can I use Retool for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Retool best used for?
- Retool is most often used for building internal admin tools and dashboards over existing databases and apis, giving operations teams a ui for data they would otherwise query by hand. Of those, building internal admin tools and dashboards over existing databases and apis and giving operations teams a ui for data they would otherwise query by hand are not what Cognito Forms is typically brought in for.
- What can Retool do that Cognito Forms cannot?
- Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Real-time data binding.