Softr vs Retool: Which One is Better in 2025?

In the rapidly evolving landscape of no-code and low-code platforms, choosing the right tool can be a game-changer for your business. This article delves into a detailed comparison between Softr and Retool, examining their features, pricing, and limitations.

Whether you're a startup looking to build quickly or an enterprise aiming for robust solutions, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these platforms is crucial. Read on to discover which tool aligns best with your needs.

Overview of Softr and Retool

What is Softr?

Softr is a no-code app builder that enables users to create applications, portals, and web apps without writing any code. It simplifies the development process, making it accessible to those without technical expertise.

Key features of Softr include drag-and-drop functionality, pre-built templates, and integration with various data sources. The platform is designed to streamline the creation of web applications, allowing for quick deployment and easy customization.

What is Retool?

Retool is a platform that allows developers to build custom internal software by seamlessly connecting databases, using elegant components, and customizing with code. It aims to accelerate mundane tasks, freeing up time for more important work.

Main features of Retool include a core library with apps, workflows, and database integrations, as well as a platform for AI and external apps. It also offers extensive developer resources like source control, API references, and a component library, along with robust security measures such as SOC 2 Type II compliance and custom SSO.

Features of Softr & Retool

Similarities

Both Softr and Retool offer a range of features that cater to different aspects of app development and customization.

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Both platforms provide a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it easier for users to build applications without extensive coding knowledge.
• Integration Capabilities: They support integration with various data sources and APIs, allowing users to connect their apps to external services seamlessly.
• Pre-Built Templates: Softr and Retool offer pre-built templates to help users get started quickly, reducing the time needed to develop applications from scratch.
• Customization Options: Both platforms allow for extensive customization, enabling users to tailor their applications to meet specific needs and branding requirements.
• Security Features: They include robust security measures, such as SOC 2 Type II compliance and custom SSO, to ensure that user data is protected.

Differences

Here are the most significant differences in features between Softr and Retool:

• Data Source Flexibility: Retool offers extensive integration options with over 70+ APIs, while Softr primarily focuses on simpler data source connections.
• Developer Tools: Retool provides advanced developer tools like source control, API references, and a component library, which are not available in Softr.
• Customization Level: Retool allows for deep customization with code, whereas Softr relies on a no-code approach, limiting customization to its drag-and-drop interface.
• Enterprise Features: Retool includes enterprise-grade features such as custom SSO, audit logs, and granular permissions, which are not part of Softr's offerings.
• Community and Support: Retool has a robust community with forums and Discord, along with extensive developer resources, while Softr's community and support resources are more limited.

Pricing of Softr & Retool

Softr Pricing

Understanding the pricing structure of Softr is essential for determining its suitability for your business needs. Here is a summary of Softr's pricing plans:

• Free Plan: Includes basic features suitable for small projects and personal use. Limited to a certain number of users and data sources.
• Starter Plan: Priced at $29 per month. Offers additional features such as more data sources, custom domains, and increased user limits.
• Professional Plan: Costs $79 per month. Includes advanced features like premium templates, priority support, and higher data limits.
• Business Plan: Available for $199 per month. Provides enterprise-level features including custom integrations, advanced security options, and dedicated account management.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing. Tailored solutions for large organizations with specific needs. Contact Softr's support for detailed pricing and features.

Retool Pricing

Retool offers a variety of pricing plans to cater to different business needs, from startups to large enterprises.

• Free Plan: $0/month. Includes unlimited web & mobile apps, 500 workflow runs/month, 5GB of data storage, and up to 5 users.
• Team Plan: $10/month per standard user, $5/month per end user. Features include everything in the Free plan, plus 5,000 workflow runs/month, a staging environment, app release versions, and support for more than 5 users.
• Business Plan: $50/month per standard user, $15/month per end user. Adds audit logging, rich permission controls, portals and embedded apps, unlimited environments, unlimited modules, access to external user pricing, and custom branding.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing. Includes everything in the Business plan, plus SAML/OpenID Connect SSO, source control, error monitoring and observability, full white-labeling, independent workspaces, platform APIs and workflow triggers, volume-based discounts, and dedicated support. Contact Retool's support for detailed pricing and features.

Reviews of Softr & Retool

Softr Reviews

Overall, users have given Softr a rating of 3.8 out of 5. While some found the platform's ease of use helpful, others were frustrated by its limited customization options and occasional bugs.

"The drag-and-drop interface is simple, but the lack of advanced customization can be limiting for more complex projects." - John D., 3/5

"Encountered several bugs that slowed down my workflow, which was quite frustrating." - Sarah K., 2.5/5

Retool Reviews

Overall, users have given Retool a rating of 3.9 out of 5. While some appreciated its integration capabilities, others found the platform's complexity and occasional performance issues frustrating.

"The learning curve is steep, and the interface can be overwhelming for new users." - Alex P., 3/5

"Performance can be sluggish at times, which affects productivity." - Jamie L., 2.5/5

Subframe, a Better Alternative to Softr and Retool

Subframe is a code-first design tool that empowers designers and developers to build user interfaces swiftly and efficiently. With its beautifully crafted components, drag-and-drop visual editor, and pixel-perfect React + Tailwind code, Subframe ensures a seamless and high-quality UI creation experience.

Pros of Subframe

Subframe is a code-first design tool that empowers designers and developers to build user interfaces swiftly and efficiently.

• Design with real components: Subframe offers a visual UI editor that is loved by both designers and developers, allowing for drag-and-drop functionality on an intuitive, responsive canvas to achieve pixel-perfect UI every time.
• Stunning UI templates: The platform provides stunning UI templates inspired by world-class products, hand-crafted by designers, and built with reusable components, ensuring you never start from scratch again.
• High-quality code output: Subframe allows users to copy and paste front-end code directly into their codebase, enabling them to add business logic and spend more time building rather than pixel-pushing CSS.
• Free to start: Users can begin building UI visually for free, with no credit card required, making it accessible for everyone to try out the platform's capabilities.
• Time-saving features: Subframe's efficient design process saves hours by eliminating the need to write CSS, allowing users to focus on more critical aspects of their projects.

Subframe's Pricing

Explore Subframe's pricing options to find the perfect plan for your needs:

• Free Plan: $0 per user/month. Includes 1 project, up to 3 page designs, up to 3 team members, and access to 200+ UI templates & snippets.
• Pro Plan: $29 per user/month. Offers up to 3 projects, unlimited page designs, unlimited team members, custom components, and 200+ UI templates & snippets.
• Custom Plan: Pricing upon contact. Features unlimited projects, unlimited page designs, custom fonts, integration of your own components, dedicated Slack support, and a Figma plugin.

For more details, visit our pricing page and book a demo with Subframe today!

What Are Others Saying?

Users have given Subframe an overall rating of 5 out of 5. They appreciate its ease of use, especially with templates, and its ability to turn ideas into code efficiently. Here are some highlights from user reviews:

• "I love how easy this is to get started, especially with templates." - Dakota
• "Turning ideas into code is one of the most critical tasks I've ever had. Subframe is super useful and user-friendly." - Germán Merlo
• "Finally something that's not just a mockup. Would give you 5 upvotes, if I could!" - Aris Nakos

Why Choose Softr, Retool or Subframe?

If you're looking for a no-code solution to quickly build web apps, portals, or internal tools, Softr might be the right choice for you. It's ideal for non-technical users or small businesses that need to deploy applications without diving into complex coding.

On the other hand, if you require more advanced customization and integration capabilities, Retool could be a better fit. It's designed for developers and technical teams who need to build sophisticated internal software with extensive API connections and coding options.

As part of Subframe, we believe our platform offers the best of both worlds. If you're a designer or developer seeking a code-first approach with high-quality, pixel-perfect UI components, Subframe is the tool for you. It combines the ease of a visual editor with the power of React and Tailwind, making it perfect for those who want to build stunning interfaces efficiently.

Softr, Retool, or Subframe: Which is The Best Tool For You?

Choosing between Softr, Retool, and Subframe ultimately depends on your specific needs and technical expertise. Softr is perfect for those who want a no-code solution to quickly build web apps, while Retool offers advanced customization and integration capabilities for developers.

However, if you're looking for a tool that combines the ease of a visual editor with the power of high-quality, pixel-perfect code, Subframe stands out as the best option. With its beautifully crafted components and seamless integration with React and Tailwind, Subframe ensures a superior UI creation experience. We recommend giving Subframe a try to see how it can elevate your design and development process.