WeWeb vs Retool: Which One is Better in 2025?

When comparing WeWeb and Retool, you need to understand their key features, pricing, limitations, and user reviews. Both are powerful tools but serve different purposes. This article will help you make an informed decision by examining each platform's strengths and weaknesses, ensuring you choose the right one for your needs.

WeWeb: Overview and Key Features

WeWeb is a no-code platform designed for building dynamic web applications with ease and flexibility.

• Visual Editor: WeWeb offers a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to design web pages without coding. It supports detailed customization of layouts and styles.
• Data Integration: Users can connect to various data sources, including REST APIs, GraphQL, and databases like Airtable and Google Sheets, to fetch and display data dynamically.
• Custom Plugins: WeWeb supports custom plugins, such as authentication modules and payment gateways, to extend functionality. Examples include Stripe for payments and Auth0 for user authentication.
• Responsive Design: The platform ensures that web applications are mobile-friendly by default, with tools to adjust layouts and elements for different screen sizes.
• SEO Tools: WeWeb includes SEO features like meta tag customization, URL management, and automatic sitemap generation to improve search engine visibility.
• Collaboration Features: Teams can work together in real-time, with version control and role-based access to manage permissions and track changes.
• Hosting and Security: WeWeb provides secure hosting with SSL certificates, DDoS protection, and regular backups to ensure data safety and site reliability.
• Performance Optimization: The platform optimizes web applications for speed, with features like lazy loading, image optimization, and efficient code rendering.

WeWeb's Reviews

Overall, users have praised WeWeb for its flexibility and ease of use, though some have noted areas for improvement such as the need for better tutorials and a steep learning curve.

• G2: 5.0/5

• Alexander S. (5.0/5): "Best no-code frontend builder on the market"
  • Likes: Intuitive interface, flexibility in designing and building responsive web apps.
  • Dislikes: Lack of advanced tutorials or video guides for intermediate users.
• Peenaksh S. (5.0/5): "Wonderful software for frontend"
  • Likes: Flexibility to shape the frontend and integrate it with the backend.
  • Dislikes: Costing.
• Erik G. (5.0/5): "Our go-to web visual development platform"
  • Likes: Fully extensible, version control, bring your own backend, ability to self-host, solid support team.
  • Dislikes: No complaints, but looks forward to more integrations like charts and graphs.
• Mike C. (5.0/5): "The BEST Low-Code Tool for Front End Development"
  • Likes: Integration with AI for writing Javascript and formulas.
  • Dislikes: UI improvements and slow publishing time.
• Gabriel B. (5.0/5): "A low code leader built for scalable front-ends"
  • Likes: Composability, ease of use, flexibility, extensibility, integration with other platforms, self-hosting option.
  • Dislikes: Lack of branch deployment and restore features, instability in CDN for deployed apps.

Positive Aspects:

• User-friendly and intuitive interface
• Powerful and advanced features
• Quick and easy app development
• Strong community and customer support

Common Concerns:

• High pricing, especially for the Business plan
• Occasional slow loading speeds
• Limitations in publishing apps to major app stores
• Restrictions on the number of users and data rows

Retool: Overview and Key Features

Retool is a platform designed for building internal tools quickly and efficiently, offering a range of powerful features.

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Retool provides a visual editor where users can drag and drop components like tables, charts, and forms to build interfaces without coding.
• Data Source Integration: Users can connect to various data sources, including SQL databases, REST APIs, and GraphQL, to fetch and manipulate data directly within the app.
• Custom Components: Retool allows the creation of custom components using JavaScript, enabling users to extend functionality with tailored solutions. Examples include custom charts and interactive maps.
• Role-Based Access Control: The platform offers granular permission settings, allowing administrators to control who can view, edit, or manage specific tools and data.
• Pre-Built Templates: Retool includes a library of pre-built templates for common use cases like admin panels, dashboards, and CRUD apps, which can be customized to fit specific needs.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Teams can collaborate in real-time, with features like version control and audit logs to track changes and ensure data integrity.
• Deployment Options: Retool supports both cloud and on-premise deployment, giving organizations flexibility in how they host and manage their tools.

Retool's Reviews

Overall user feedback on Retool highlights its ease of use and flexibility, though some users note performance issues and a steep learning curve.

• G2: 4.6/5

• Verified User, Small-Business (4.0/5): "Retool is a great tool to write your low-code/no-code app. It has a lot of handy features that save hours of work."
• Antonio A., Small-Business (4.0/5): "I've used Retool to build internal tools, and I appreciate its flexibility and integration. It quickly connects to multiple data sources and builds functional UIs."
• George K., Small-Business (4.0/5): "A great tool for developers who want to leverage abstraction and built-in front-end components. The variety of components in the app editor is impressive."

Positive Aspects:

• Ease of use with a drag-and-drop interface
• Flexibility and integration capabilities with various data sources and APIs
• Time-saving features that allow for quick development of internal tools
• Good support and community forum

Common Concerns:

• Can be pricey for deploying apps to the public
• Some performance issues and lag in the app editor
• Limited customization options for certain components
• Steep learning curve for advanced features

Feature Comparison: WeWeb vs. Retool

Similarities

Despite targeting different use cases, WeWeb and Retool share several important features:

• Visual Editors: Both platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces for building applications without coding.
• Data Source Integration: Each supports connections to various data sources, including APIs and databases.
• Custom Components: Users can create custom components to extend functionality tailored to their needs.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Teams can collaborate in real-time, with features like version control and audit logs.
• Hosting Options: Both provide flexible hosting options, including cloud and self-hosting.
• Security Features: Each platform includes robust security measures, such as role-based access control and authentication methods.

Differences

Critical differences between WeWeb and Retool will likely influence your choice.

• Primary Focus:
  • WeWeb: Primarily a no-code front-end builder for creating web applications.
  • Retool: Focused on building custom internal software for businesses.
• Customization and Design Flexibility:
  • WeWeb: Offers pixel-perfect design and extensive customization through a visual editor.
  • Retool: Provides customization with 100+ React components and a full IDE for coding in SQL, JavaScript, and Python.
• Integration Capabilities:
  • WeWeb: Connects to various tools and services via native integrations or APIs, supporting REST, GraphQL, and SOAP.
  • Retool: Integrates with over 70 databases and APIs, including security tools like SSO and RBAC.
• User Interface and Experience:
  • WeWeb: Designed for ease of use with a visual editor and no-code workflows.
  • Retool: Built for developers, offering a seamless experience from data connection to deployment.
• Deployment Options:
  • WeWeb: Supports self-hosting and provides secure hosting with SSL certificates and DDoS protection.
  • Retool: Offers flexible deployment options, including VPC, VPN, and Docker.

Pricing Comparison: WeWeb vs. Retool

WeWeb Pricing

WeWeb offers a range of pricing plans designed to cater to different needs and budgets.

• Starter: $19/month
  • Includes basic features for small projects
  • 1 project
  • Up to 5,000 monthly visits
• Pro: $49/month
  • Advanced features for growing businesses
  • 5 projects
  • Up to 50,000 monthly visits
  • Priority support
• Business: $99/month
  • Comprehensive features for larger teams
  • Unlimited projects
  • Up to 500,000 monthly visits
  • Dedicated account manager
• Enterprise: Custom pricing
  • Tailored solutions for large enterprises
  • Unlimited projects and visits
  • Custom integrations and support
  • Contact support for pricing details

Retool' Pricing

Retool's pricing is structured to accommodate various needs, from small teams to large enterprises:

• Free Plan: $0 per month
  • 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

Subframe, a Better Alternative to WeWeb and Retool

Subframe is a visual UI design tool that syncs directly with code. We offer a drag-and-drop editor that uses real components, making it easy to create pixel-perfect, responsive layouts. Our platform instantly converts designs into clean, production-ready React and Tailwind code, speeding up the development process and eliminating the need for handoff.

Subframe's Features

Subframe is the UI design tool for the AI era, seamlessly integrating design and code for pixel-perfect results.

• Component-Based Design: Create user interfaces with real, reusable components instead of static mockups, ensuring precise, production-ready layouts.
• Pre-Built UI Templates: Access a library of customizable templates inspired by established design patterns, built with reusable components to speed up the design process.
• Code Export: Generate clean, production-quality React and Tailwind code, allowing designs to be copied directly into a codebase, reducing time spent on handoff and manual CSS adjustments.
• Free to Get Started: Enjoy free access to Subframe's visual design tools with no credit card required, making it easy to start designing immediately.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Collaborate with team members in real-time, ensuring seamless integration and efficient workflow throughout the design process.

Subframe's Pricing

Subframe pricing is designed to cater to different needs and budgets:

• Free: $0 per user/month
  • 1 project
  • Up to 3 page designs
  • Up to 3 team members
  • 100s of UI templates
  • Limited AI features
• Pro: $29 per user/month
  • Up to 3 projects
  • Unlimited page designs
  • Unlimited team members
  • Custom components
  • 100s of UI templates
  • Full AI beta access
• Custom: "Let's talk"
  • Unlimited projects
  • Unlimited page designs
  • Integrate your components
  • Dedicated Slack support
  • Figma plugin
  • Unlimited AI

For more details, visit the Subframe Pricing page. Book a demo with us to see how Subframe can transform your UI design process.

Subframe's Reviews

Users have shared positive feedback about Subframe, noting its user-friendly interface, time-saving tools, and the quality of the UI designs it produces. The platform has earned a 5/5 rating on Product Hunt. Customers especially value the visual editor, drag-and-drop functionality, and AI features that help refine designs based on user input.

• "Without Subframe, the frontend build of this tool would've taken a lot longer and a lot more financial resources." - Erin Kim
• "Subframe helped us make a super clean UI for our console without designers." - Carl Peterson
• "Huge shoutout to Subframe guys! Super easy to create UI, and the support is great. Highly recommend!" - Amartya Jha

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

WeWeb excels in creating custom front-ends with a no-code approach, making it ideal for users who need to build web applications quickly without diving into code. Retool, on the other hand, is tailored for developers looking to build internal tools with extensive data integration and customization capabilities. Both platforms offer unique strengths, but they cater to different needs.

If you prioritize ease of use and rapid development for web applications, WeWeb is a great fit. For those who need robust internal tools with deep data integration, Retool may be the better choice. However, if you seek a seamless integration of design and code, allowing for the creation of production-ready React and Tailwind code, Subframe stands out.

Subframe combines real component-based design with AI-powered features, making it the optimal solution for those looking to streamline their workflow and eliminate the need for handoff between designers and developers. Get started on Subframe for free and see how it can transform your UI design process.