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Superblocks vs Retool: Which One is Better in 2025?

Choosing between Superblocks and Retool? Dive into our detailed analysis to make an informed decision for your design and frontend needs.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of internal tools, Superblocks and Retool have emerged as two prominent platforms. This article delves into a detailed comparison of their features, pricing, and limitations.

Whether you're a developer seeking flexibility or a business aiming for cost-efficiency, understanding the nuances of these platforms can help you make an informed decision. Let's explore what each has to offer.

Overview of Superblocks and Retool

What is Superblocks?

Superblocks

Superblocks is a platform that enables users to build internal applications rapidly using low-code and AI technologies. It aims to streamline the development process, allowing for the creation of back-office apps, automation of business processes, and integration with enterprise data.

Key features include an application builder for faster app development, embedded apps for customer portals, and workflows for automating business processes. Additionally, it offers integrations with databases and APIs, granular permissions for governance, and on-premise agents to ensure data security.

What is Retool?

Retool

Retool is a platform that allows developers to build custom internal software quickly and efficiently. It enables seamless connection to databases, building with elegant components, and customization with code.

Main features include integration with REST or GraphQL APIs, customizable apps with React components, and support for writing in SQL, JavaScript, and Python. Additionally, Retool offers tools for debugging, Git integration for version control, and options to deploy in various environments.

Features of Superblocks & Retool

Similarities

Both Superblocks and Retool offer robust platforms for building internal applications quickly and efficiently. Here are the key similarities:

  • Low-Code Development: Both platforms enable rapid app development using low-code technologies, allowing users to build and deploy applications faster.
  • Integration Capabilities: They support extensive integrations with databases, APIs, and popular SaaS applications, making it easy to connect to various data sources.
  • Customizable Components: Each platform provides a wide range of customizable components, including React components, to tailor applications to specific needs.
  • Security Features: Both offer robust security options, including role-based access control (RBAC) and single sign-on (SSO) integrations, ensuring secure data handling.
  • Deployment Flexibility: Users can deploy applications in various environments, including on-premise and cloud-based solutions, providing flexibility in deployment strategies.

Differences

Here are the biggest differences in features between Superblocks and Retool:

  • AI Integration: Superblocks leverages AI technologies for building intelligent apps and automating operations, while Retool focuses more on customizable components and coding flexibility.
  • Embedded Applications: Superblocks offers white-label customer portals and embedded apps, a feature not available in Retool.
  • Real-Time Apps: Superblocks supports real-time applications through streaming capabilities, which Retool does not provide.
  • Observability Tools: Superblocks integrates with observability tools like Datadog and Splunk, whereas Retool does not emphasize this integration.
  • Generative AI Apps: Superblocks includes generative AI apps with GPT-4, a feature not found in Retool.

Pricing of Superblocks & Retool

Superblocks Pricing

Superblocks offers a range of pricing plans tailored to different business needs. Here is a summary of their pricing options:

  • Free Plan: $0 per month per Creator or End User
    • Up to 5 users
    • Unlimited apps
    • Unlimited workflows & scheduled jobs
    • Staging & production integration profiles
    • Version control
    • Custom components
    • Integrate with any API and database
    • Make apps publicly available
  • Startup Plan: $49 per month per Creator, $15 per month per End User
    • Everything in Free plan plus:
    • Unlimited integration profiles
    • User groups & permissions (RBAC)
    • Audit logs (3-day retention)
    • Reusable modules
    • Live queries with timers
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
    • Everything in Startup plan plus:
    • SAML/OIDC-based SSO
    • User management with SCIM
    • Source control via GitHub & GitLab
    • Audit logs (custom retention)
    • Analytics & observability
    • Secrets manager integrations
    • Streaming APIs via Kafka, Flink, Kinesis
    • Custom branding
    • Embedded applications
    • Dedicated CSM & Premium Engineering Support

For the Enterprise plan, pricing is custom and requires contacting support to get a quote.

Retool Pricing

Retool offers a variety of pricing plans to cater to different business needs. Here is a summary of their pricing options:

  • Free Plan: $0/month
    • Unlimited web & mobile apps
    • 500 workflow runs/month
    • 5GB of data storage
    • Up to 5 users
  • Team Plan: $10/month per standard user, $5/month per end user
    • Everything in Free, plus:
    • 5,000 workflow runs/month
    • Staging environment
    • App release versions
    • More than 5 users
  • Business Plan: $50/month per standard user, $15/month per end user
    • Everything in Team, plus:
    • Audit logging
    • Rich permission controls
    • Portals and embedded apps
    • Unlimited environments
    • Unlimited modules
    • Access to external user pricing
    • Custom Branding
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
    • Everything in Business, plus:
    • SAML / OpenID Connect SSO
    • Source control
    • Error monitoring and observability
    • Full white-labeling
    • Independent workspaces
    • Platform APIs and workflow triggers
    • Volume-based discounts
    • Dedicated support

Reviews of Superblocks & Retool

Superblocks Reviews

Overall, users have given Superblocks a rating of 3.8 out of 5. While some found the platform's features helpful, others were frustrated by its complexity and occasional bugs.

"The learning curve is steep, and the documentation could be better. It took a while to get the hang of it." - John D., 3.5/5

"Encountered several bugs that slowed down our development process. Support was not as responsive as expected." - Sarah K., 3/5

Retool Reviews

Retool has received mixed reviews, with an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5. Users found the platform's flexibility helpful but were frustrated by its complexity and occasional performance issues.

"The interface is not intuitive, and it took a lot of time to get used to it. Performance can be sluggish at times." - Alex P., 3.5/5

"While the customization options are extensive, the platform can be buggy, which hampers productivity." - Jamie L., 3/5

Subframe, a Better Alternative to Superblocks and Retool

Subframe

Subframe is a code-first design tool that allows users to build UI quickly using beautifully crafted components, a drag-and-drop visual editor, and pixel-perfect React + Tailwind code. Designed to be loved by both designers and developers, Subframe offers a seamless experience for creating high-quality, responsive user interfaces.

Pros of Subframe

Subframe is a code-first design tool that allows users to build UI quickly using beautifully crafted components, a drag-and-drop visual editor, and pixel-perfect React + Tailwind code.

  • Design with real components, not mockups: Subframe offers a visual UI editor loved by both designers and developers, allowing for drag-and-drop on an intuitive, responsive canvas to achieve pixel-perfect UI every time.
  • Stunning UI templates, personalized to you: Inspired by world-class products and hand-crafted by designers, Subframe provides reusable components so you never have to start from scratch again.
  • Skip handoff, get high-quality code: Users can copy and paste front-end code and then add business logic in their codebase, spending more time building rather than adjusting CSS.
  • Start building UI visually for free: Subframe allows users to begin designing without the need for a credit card, making it accessible for everyone to start building UI visually.
  • Real-time collaboration: Subframe supports real-time collaboration, enabling teams to work together seamlessly on responsive designs.

Subframe's Pricing

At Subframe, we offer a range of pricing options to suit different needs:

  • Free Plan: $0 per user/month
    • 1 project
    • Up to 3 page designs
    • Up to 3 team members
    • 200+ UI templates & snippets
  • Pro Plan: $29 per user/month
    • Up to 3 projects
    • Unlimited page designs
    • Unlimited team members
    • Custom components
    • 200+ UI templates & snippets
  • Custom Plan: Let's talk (custom pricing)
    • Unlimited projects
    • Unlimited page designs
    • Custom fonts
    • Integrate your own components
    • Dedicated Slack support
    • Figma plugin

For more details, visit our Subframe Pricing page. Ready to see Subframe in action? Book a demo with us 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 quickly turn ideas into production-ready UI. Here are some of the sentiments from our users:

  • "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 Superblocks, Retool or Subframe?

If you prioritize AI integration and automation, Superblocks might be the better choice for you. It's ideal for enterprises and developers who need to build intelligent apps quickly and securely, leveraging low-code and AI technologies.

On the other hand, if you need extensive customization and coding flexibility, Retool could be your go-to platform. It's perfect for developers and enterprises that require seamless database connections, a rich library of React components, and robust security features.

However, if you're looking for a tool that combines ease of use with high-quality code generation, Subframe stands out. It's designed for designers and developers who want to build pixel-perfect UI quickly using a drag-and-drop editor and real-time collaboration, without compromising on code quality.

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

Choosing between Superblocks, Retool, and Subframe ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities. Each platform offers unique strengths, whether it's AI integration, extensive customization, or ease of use.

However, if you're looking for a tool that combines high-quality code generation with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, Subframe stands out. Designed for both designers and developers, Subframe makes it easy to build pixel-perfect UI quickly and efficiently. We recommend giving Subframe a try to experience its seamless blend of design and development capabilities.

Join thousands of happy builders.

Subframe lets you build stunning UI with beautifully crafted components and a drag-and-drop visual editor.