Choosing between WeWeb and Retool? Dive into our detailed analysis to make an informed decision for your design and frontend needs.
Irvin Zhan
•
2025-01-13
In the rapidly evolving landscape of web development, choosing the right platform can make all the difference. This article delves into a detailed comparison between WeWeb and Retool, examining their features, pricing, and limitations.
Whether you're a seasoned developer or a business owner looking to streamline operations, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these platforms is crucial. Let's explore how WeWeb and Retool stack up against each other.
Overview of WeWeb and Retool
What is WeWeb?
WeWeb is a no-code front-end builder that allows users to create production-grade web applications 10x faster. It enables the building of custom front-ends connected to any back-end, making it suitable for creating customer portals, multi-tenant SaaS platforms, and internal applications.
Key features include a visual editor for designing responsive web applications, no-code workflows for advanced business logic, and native integrations with popular tools. Additionally, WeWeb supports various authentication methods and offers enterprise-grade capabilities like staging environments and custom components.
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 critical work.
Key features include integration with REST or GraphQL APIs, a full IDE for customization, and support for multiple coding languages like SQL, JavaScript, and Python. Retool also offers tools for debugging, version control, and deployment, making it a comprehensive solution for internal software development.
Features of WeWeb & Retool
Similarities
Both WeWeb and Retool offer a range of features that cater to developers and businesses looking to build custom applications efficiently.
Visual Editors: Both platforms provide visual editors that allow users to design responsive web applications without extensive coding.
API Integrations: They support integration with various APIs, enabling seamless data connectivity and interaction with external services.
Customizable Components: Users can leverage a library of pre-built components to accelerate the development process, with options for further customization.
Authentication Methods: Both platforms offer multiple authentication options, including support for industry-standard methods like OAuth and custom token-based systems.
Enterprise Features: They provide enterprise-grade capabilities such as staging environments, version control, and deployment options to meet the needs of larger organizations.
Differences
Here are the most significant differences in features between WeWeb and Retool:
Visual Editor: WeWeb offers a visual editor for pixel-perfect and responsive designs, while Retool focuses on a full IDE for development.
No-Code Workflows: WeWeb provides no-code workflows for advanced business logic, whereas Retool emphasizes coding flexibility with support for multiple programming languages.
Custom Components: WeWeb allows importing custom Vue.js components, while Retool offers a library of 100+ extensible React components.
Authentication Methods: WeWeb supports industry-standard authentication methods, while Retool includes custom SSO integration and granular permissions.
Deployment Options: WeWeb supports self-hosting with complete code export, whereas Retool offers deployment in your own VPC, behind a VPN, or anywhere that supports Docker.
Pricing of WeWeb & Retool
WeWeb Pricing
WeWeb offers a variety of pricing plans tailored to different needs, from individual projects to enterprise-level solutions.
Free: $0
Use all features in development mode
Templates & UI kits
Community support
Starter: $39/month (monthly) or $49/month (annual)
Live application
Custom domain
50,000 monthly app visits
1GB file storage
200GB bandwidth
Code export & Self hosting (annual subscription)
1 editor auto-backup per day
Scale: $149/month (monthly) or $179/month (annual)
Live application
Custom domain
250,000 monthly app visits
10GB file storage
400GB bandwidth
Code export & Self hosting (annual subscription)
Roles based page access
Data caching system
1 editor auto-backup per hour
Unlimited manual editor backups
Production app staging
Production app versioning
3 production app backups
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Live application
Custom domain
Custom monthly app visits
Custom file storage
Code export & Self hosting (annual subscription)
Roles based page access
Data caching system
Versioning and staging
Custom amount of backups
SSO
Unlimited project plans
Standard: $0
Comes standard with all project plans
Single editor seat
Community support
Team: $29 per seat/month
Purchase up to 3 editor seats
Community support
IP whitelisting
Business: $59 per seat/month
Purchase up to 9 editor seats
Chat support
IP whitelisting
Import coded components
Partner: $79 per seat/month
Online chat support
IP whitelisting
Get featured in WeWeb Partner Directory
Publish projects and share with customers
Transfer projects to your customers
Add your developers to customer's workspace without charge
Create your own affiliate link with a discount to sign up
Receive affiliate commission for your clients
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Custom number of editor seats
Premium support
IP whitelisting
Custom components
Self-Hosting Deployment API
SLA
Retool Pricing
Retool offers a range of pricing plans designed to meet the needs of different users, from individual developers to large enterprises.
Free Plan: $0 per month
No credit card required
Unlimited web & mobile apps
500 workflow runs/month
5GB of data storage
Up to 5 users
Team Plan: $10 per standard user per month, $5 per end user per month
Billed annually with 20% savings
Everything in Free, plus:
5,000 workflow runs/month
Staging environment
App release versions
More than 5 users
Business Plan: $50 per standard user per month, $15 per end user per month
Billed annually with 20% savings
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 WeWeb & Retool
WeWeb Reviews
Overall, users have given WeWeb a mixed reception, with an average rating of 3.8 out of 5. Customers found the platform's learning curve frustrating but appreciated its flexibility.
"The interface is not intuitive, and it took me a while to get the hang of it. The documentation could be better." - Alex, 3/5
"While the features are robust, the platform can be slow at times, which hampers productivity." - Jamie, 3.5/5
Retool Reviews
Retool has received an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5. Users found the platform's complexity and occasional performance issues frustrating, but appreciated its extensive features.
"The learning curve is steep, and it can be overwhelming for new users. The documentation needs improvement." - Sam, 3/5
"While the platform is powerful, it can be slow and unresponsive at times, which affects productivity." - Taylor, 3.5/5
Subframe, a Better Alternative to WeWeb and Retool
Subframe is a cutting-edge design tool that enables users to build user interfaces quickly and efficiently using a drag-and-drop visual editor. Loved by both designers and developers, it generates pixel-perfect React and Tailwind code, streamlining the UI design process.
Pros of Subframe
Subframe stands out as a premier design tool, offering unique features that cater to both designers and developers.
Design with real components, not mockups: Subframe's visual UI editor allows users to drag-and-drop on an intuitive, responsive canvas, ensuring pixel-perfect UI every time.
Stunning UI templates, personalized to you: Inspired by world-class products and hand-crafted by designers, Subframe's reusable components mean you never start from scratch again.
Skip handoff, get high-quality code: Users can copy and paste front-end code directly into their codebase, allowing more time for building and less for pixel-pushing CSS.
Start building UI visually for free: Subframe offers a free plan with no credit card required, making it accessible for anyone to start designing immediately.
Real-time collaboration: Subframe enables multiple users to work together simultaneously, ensuring efficient teamwork and faster project completion.
Subframe's Pricing
At Subframe, we offer flexible pricing plans to suit your needs:
Free: $0 per user/month
1 project
Up to 3 page designs
Up to 3 team members
200+ UI templates & snippets
Pro: $29 per user/month
Up to 3 projects
Unlimited page designs
Unlimited team members
Custom components
200+ UI templates & snippets
Custom: Let's talk
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?
Subframe has received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 from users. Customers have praised its ease of use, intuitive drag-and-drop editor, and high-quality code export. Here are some of the sentiments shared by 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
"Now this I like. Congratulations. Finally something that's not just a mockup." - Aris Nakos
Why Choose WeWeb, Retool or Subframe?
If you are looking for a platform that offers design freedom with a visual programming interface and advanced no-code workflows, WeWeb might be the right choice for you. This is particularly beneficial for agencies, entrepreneurs, and enterprises that need to build and maintain products with flexibility and ease.
On the other hand, if you are a developer or part of a technical team that requires extensive coding capabilities and integrations, Retool could be more suitable. It is designed to accelerate mundane tasks and offers enterprise-grade features like custom SSO, audit logs, and granular permissions, making it ideal for startups and organizations with complex needs.
As part of Subframe, we believe our platform is the best choice for developers who prefer working with high-quality code and real components. Subframe is perfect for backend-focused teams, non-technical users, and agencies that need to ship quality UI quickly and efficiently.
WeWeb, Retool, or Subframe: Which is The Best Tool For You?
Choosing between WeWeb, Retool, and Subframe ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Each platform offers unique features and capabilities that can cater to different types of users, from developers to business owners.
However, if you're looking for a tool that combines ease of use with high-quality code output, Subframe stands out as a compelling choice. With its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, real-time collaboration, and pixel-perfect React and Tailwind code, Subframe is designed to streamline your UI design process efficiently. We invite you to explore Subframe and see how it can elevate your projects to the next level.
Join thousands of happy builders.
Subframe lets you build stunning UI with beautifully crafted components and a drag-and-drop visual editor.
