Softwr

Surveys · head to head

Retool vs Softr

Retool logo

Retool

Surveys

The rapid internal tool platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Softr logo

Softr

No-Code

No-code platform for building web apps, client portals and directories from data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Softr pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.
  • They diverge on capability: Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder, Softr covers Data source connectors.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Retool and Softr actually diverge.

Attributes where Retool and Softr differ
AttributeRetoolSoftr
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Self-hostedweb
CategorySurveysNo-Code
Founded20172020

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 Retool

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • Database integration
  • REST API
  • Real-time data binding
  • Workflow automation
  • Custom code
  • Version control
  • 200+ integrations

Only in Softr

  • Data source connectors
  • Pre-built blocks
  • User authentication & permissions
  • Client portals
  • Payments
  • Custom domains

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 Softr
  • Giving operations teams a UI for data they would otherwise query by handnot Softr

Softr

  • Client and partner portalsnot Retool
  • Internal tools on top of Airtablenot Retool
  • Directory and marketplace websitesnot Retool
  • MVP prototypes for startupsnot Retool

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

Softr

  • Pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.
  • Complex custom logic requires workarounds since it lacks a full scripting layer.
  • Deep customization of UI beyond provided blocks is limited compared to code-based builders.
  • Performance depends heavily on the connected data source, e.g. Airtable API limits.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Softr

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 3 app builders
    • 5 combined app users
    • No custom domain
  • Basic$25/month
    • 1 app builder
    • 5 Team + 5 Client users
    • 1 custom domain
  • Pro$119/month
    • 2 app builders
    • Up to 50 Team + 250 Client users
    • 1 custom domain
  • Business$395/month
    • 3 app builders
    • Up to 100 Team + 500 Client users
    • 1 custom domain

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.
Retool review

Choose Softr if

  • You need data source connectors.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web.
  • You also want pre-built blocks.
Softr review

Questions people ask

Is Retool or Softr better?
Neither clearly leads. Retool starts at Free and Softr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Retool or Softr?
Retool starts at Free and Softr at Free.
Does Retool or Softr run on more platforms?
Retool runs on Web, Self-hosted. Softr 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 Softr is typically brought in for.
What can Retool do that Softr cannot?
Retool covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Real-time data binding. Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Softr: What does Softr cost?

Softr offers Free, Basic ($25/mo), Pro ($119/mo), Business ($395/mo), and custom Enterprise plans, with annual billing giving roughly two months free.

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
Softr: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

The Free plan allows up to 3 app builders and 5 combined app users, with no custom domain included.

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
Softr: How is usage metered?

Softr charges based on the number of app builders and app users (Team and Client), not on the number of apps published; extra users and domains cost additional monthly fees.

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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