Retool VS Softr

Compare Retool VS Softr and see what are their differences

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Softr

From zero to a website in 5 mins, using building blocks.

Landing page //
2023-08-04

Landing page //
2023-09-08

Retool

Website: retool.com
Pricing URL: Official Retool Pricing
$ Details: freemium $10.0 / Monthly (Startup)
Release Date: 2017 January
Startup details
Country: United States
State: California
City: San Francisco
Founder(s): David Hsu
Employees: 10 - 19

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Softr

Website: softr.io
Pricing URL: Official Softr Pricing
$ Details: freemium
Release Date: 2019 January
Startup details
Country: Germany
State: Berlin
City: Berlin
Founder(s): Artur Mkrtchyan
Employees: 1 - 9

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Retool features and specs

Speed of Development
Retool allows developers to rapidly build internal tools with a drag-and-drop interface, reducing the time it takes to get functional applications up and running.
Integration Capabilities
Retool supports integration with a wide range of databases, APIs, and other services, making it easier to connect different data sources and systems.
Customizability
While Retool provides prebuilt components, it also allows for custom code and scripting, enabling developers to tailor applications to specific requirements.
Collaboration Features
Retool supports collaborative features, such as sharing applications with team members and version control, making it easier to work in teams.
Security
Retool provides robust security features, including access control and data encryption, to help protect sensitive information.

Possible disadvantages of Retool

Cost
Retool can be relatively expensive compared to building internal tools from scratch or using some other platforms, potentially making it less accessible for smaller teams or startups.
Learning Curve
Despite its user-friendly interface, there can be a learning curve for new users who need to become familiar with its specific functionalities and scripting capabilities.
Customization Limitations
Though Retool offers customizability, there might be certain limitations compared to fully bespoke solutions, impacting highly specific or complex use cases.
Dependency on Retool
Relying heavily on Retool may create a dependency that could be problematic if the company changes its pricing, features, or discontinues services.
Performance
For very large datasets or highly complex operations, performance can become an issue, as it is with many platform-based solutions.

Softr features and specs

Ease of Use
Softr is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those without technical expertise. The drag-and-drop editor simplifies the process of building web applications.
Rapid Development
With pre-built templates and blocks, Softr allows for quick development of apps and websites, significantly reducing the time to market.
No-Code Platform
The platform enables the creation of applications without writing any code, which is ideal for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-developers.
Integration Capabilities
Softr offers integrations with popular tools like Airtable, Google Sheets, and Zapier, allowing users to seamlessly connect their existing workflows and data.
Affordability
Compared to hiring a developer or using more complex platforms, Softr provides a cost-effective solution for building web applications.
Responsive Design
Applications built with Softr are automatically responsive, ensuring a good user experience across different devices and screen sizes.

Possible disadvantages of Softr

Limited Customization
While the no-code aspect is a significant advantage, it can also be a limitation. Users may find it difficult to implement highly customized features or unique functionalities without coding.
Performance
As with many no-code platforms, there can be performance trade-offs, especially with complex applications or large datasets.
Scalability
For more complex applications, scalability can become an issue. Businesses may need to switch to more robust solutions as their application grows.
Vendor Lock-In
Relying on Softr means you are dependent on the platform for updates, support, and uptime. Migrating to another service can be challenging.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features
While basic features are easy to use, there can be a learning curve when trying to utilize more advanced functionalities or integrations.

Analysis of Softr

Overall verdict

Softr is an excellent choice for individuals and businesses looking for a no-code solution to create web applications quickly and cost-effectively. Its user-friendly interface and robust features make it a popular choice among those who want to bring their ideas to life without needing extensive technical skills.

Why this product is good

Softr is considered a good platform because it allows users to build web applications without needing to write code. It offers a range of templates and pre-built blocks that make it easy for non-developers to create functional and aesthetically pleasing apps. Additionally, Softr integrates well with Airtable, providing a dynamic data backend for applications. The platform’s ease of use, flexibility, and strong community support are additional reasons why many find it valuable.

Recommended for

Entrepreneurs who need to launch MVPs quickly.
Small businesses looking for cost-effective web solutions.
Product managers and designers who want to prototype apps.
Non-technical individuals interested in building web applications.
Teams looking to automate workflows and integrate with Airtable.

Retool videos

+ Add

Retool - Logic Review

Softr videos

+ Add

Adalo vs Softr | App builder review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Retool and Softr)

Softr

No Code

58 58%

No Code

42% 42

Developer Tools

71 71%

Developer Tools

29% 29

Website Builder

0 0%

Website Builder

100% 100

Productivity

100 100%

Productivity

0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Retool and Softr. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Retool and Softr

Retool Reviews

Top 5 Dynobase alternatives you should know about - March 2025 Review

The choice ultimately depends on your environment and use case. Many teams use a combination of tools: for example, Dynomate for developers, and a Retool app for operations or support teams. By understanding the strengths of each alternative, you can select the tool (or combination of tools) that best integrates with your AWS workflow, making DynamoDB development smoother...

Source: www.dynomate.io

React UI Components Libraries: Our Top Picks for 2023

Retool offers extensive documentation and support. Its support is available on its Discourse forum, Slack (if you are a Retool power user), Intercom for live chat, and dedicated support for enterprise customers.

Source: kinsta.com

ILLA Cloud vs. Retool vs. Bubble - Unveiling the Best Low-Code Platforms

In the quest for the best low-code platform, Retool, Bubble, and ILLA Cloud all offer unique features and capabilities. While Retool shines with its self-hosted option and Bubble contributes to the open-source community, ILLA Cloud stands out as a powerful and flexible low-code platform. With its comprehensive feature set, affordable pricing models, and self-hosted...

Source: blog.illacloud.com

Top 9 Low-Code Tools for 2023 for low-code development

Retool is a powerful low-code platform that enables developers to build internal tools and apps with ease. It offers a drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of pre-built components for seamless development. Retool integrates with various data sources and external services, allowing users to fetch data, perform calculations, and display results in real-time. Its...

Source: blog.illacloud.com

Superblock vs Retool: A Comprehensive Comparison for Low-code development Platforms

Retool caters to a diverse audience, including developers, product managers, and business professionals. Developers benefit from Retool's low-code capabilities, allowing them to build applications quickly without sacrificing customization. Product managers can leverage Retool to streamline internal workflows and enable teams to be more productive. Business professionals can...

Source: blog.illacloud.com

Softr Reviews

13 Best Website Builders for Creators and Social Entrepreneurs(2023)

By streamlining the traditionally time-consuming and costly website development process, Softr is championing the rise of no-code web development and unlocking limitless possibilities for individuals and businesses alike.

Source: causeartist.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Retool should be more popular than Softr. It has been mentiond 99 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Retool mentions (99)

How Low-Code Platforms Are Changing the Future of App Development
Retool has carved out a specific niche by excelling at internal tool creation. Companies use it to build dashboards, admin panels, and business process applications that would otherwise consume valuable engineering resources. - Source: dev.to / 26 days ago
Code or No Code? The AI Revolution in Web Development
Retool – Low-code platform for business applications. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
I keep turning my Google Sheets into phone-friendly webapps, and I can't stop
As mentioned by another poster, check out "Partner portals" section on https://retool.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
How to Build Internal Tools 100x Faster
It is possible to speed up the development and delivery process for many internal applications by using no-code or low code tools. These vary in offerings from open source to SaaS, including popular ones like AirTable, BudiBase, Retool, NocoDB and others. These can all greatly help speed up delivery times. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
Do you need a No Code tool for Firebase?
There are some No Code tools for Firebase. Some of them are fully integrated, some of them use some limited functions of Firebase through their API. If a tool allows you to integrate with a REST API, you probably can use it. Some of them are: FlutterFlow, JetAdmin, Retool, Bubble, etc. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago

Softr mentions (37)

Best Scalable No-code Web Builder?
Web Apps: - Start with Glideapps.com or softr.io - if you get comfortable and still like to build web apps learn bubble.io or weweb.io or flutterflow.com. Source: over 1 year ago
i am dumb
Hey, My recommendation: - If you don't have previous knowledge start with one of the tools with a lower learning curve glideapps.com or softr.io - If you build a few apps with those, then I would start to learn one of the tools with a steeper learning curve like bubble.io , toddle.dev, flutterflow.com - Every week I talk with a successful No-Code Maker, maybe it can inspire you :) www.nocode-exits.com. Source: over 1 year ago
Cheap/free basic mobile app maker?
You should try softr.io They have an amazing free plan. Source: over 1 year ago
6 AI tools that feels illegal to know🤖
Softr.io empowers you to create full-stack apps without breaking a sweat. Turn your Airtable, Google Sheets, or SmartSuite into client portals and internal tools. No code required Its AI-driven development approach opens doors for non-developers to become app creators. Explore the magic of turning your ideas into functional applications. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
15 tools to help you build your landing page (even if you can't code)
Softr.io = You get access to pre-built templates that you can edit any time. It comes with a generous free plan including free custom domain hosting. Source: over 1 year ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Retool and Softr, you can also consider the following products

Appsmith - Appsmith is an open source web framework for building internal tools, admin panels, dashboards, and workflows.

Bubble.io - Building tech is slow and expensive. Bubble is the most powerful no-code platform for creating digital products.

Airtable - Airtable works like a spreadsheet but gives you the power of a database to organize anything. Sign up for free.

Webflow - Build dynamic, responsive websites in your browser. Launch with a click. Or export your squeaky-clean code to host wherever you'd like. Discover the professional website builder made for designers.

Carrd - Simple, responsive one-page site creator.

ToolJet - Open-source alternative for Retool