Wondering how much Retool costs and whether it's worth the investment? In this guide, we'll break down Retool pricing plans, hidden costs, and how it compares to other platforms. Our article aims to help you decide if Retool is the right fit for your team—and how to save along the way.
Is Retool free?
Retool offers a options for individuals, small teams, medium businesses and even Enterprise Plans. Its Free Plan is a solid starting point, but with limitations on features and capacity.
What’s Included in Retool’s Free Plan?
The Free Plan is designed to help small teams get started without any upfront costs. Here's what you get:
- Up to 5 standard app users – perfect for small teams or individuals building internal tools.
- Unlimited web and mobile apps – no restrictions on the number of build apps you can create.
- 500 workflow runs per month – enough for basic automation but limited for heavy use.
- 5GB of data storage – suitable for small-scale projects.
When Do You Need to Upgrade?
The Free Plan is a good starting point, but Retool is built for teams that want to scale. You'll need to upgrade to a Business and Enterprise plans if:
- Your team has more app users.
- You need features like role-based permissions, audit logging, or staging environments.
- Your workflows exceed 500 runs per month.
- You need additional storage for your data.
Retool Cost: A Clear Breakdown
Retool paid plans start at $10 per standard user per month and increase based on the features and scale your team needs. For growing organizations, there are Business and Retool's Enterprise pricing plans available to meet more advanced requirements. But before we dive into the details, let's break down another important part—the users—since understanding them is key to managing costs and choosing the right plan.
Retool User Roles
Retool categorizes active users into three roles, each with distinct functionality and pricing:
- Standard users: Builders and editors who create and manage web apps or workflows.
Example: A developer customizing an internal dashboard.
Cost: Included in the per-user pricing of Team and Business tiers —we'll share it a bit later.
- End users: Viewers who interact with apps but cannot modify them.
Example: A sales rep using a CRM tool built on Retool.
Cost: Lower per end user pricing compared to standard users.
- External users: Guests outside the organization who access embedded apps.
Example: A client viewing a shared reporting dashboard.
Cost: Typically requires Business or Retool's Enterprise plan.
Retool Paid Plans
Team
If your team is ready to move beyond testing and start building tools collaboratively, the Team Plan is a solid choice. It offers everything you need to efficiently develop, test, and manage internal web apps, without breaking the bank.
Pricing:
- $10 per standard user/month (billed annually) or $12/month (billed monthly).
- $5 per end user/month (billed annually) or $7/month (billed monthly).
Key features:
- 5,000 workflow runs per month to automate your processes without hitting limits too soon.
- A staging environment for testing apps before rolling them out.
- App release versions to track updates and manage changes seamlessly.
- Role-based permissions so you can control who edits, views, or interacts with your tools.
Best for: Small to medium-sized teams looking for collaboration tools and a cost-effective way to build web and mobile apps at scale.
Business
For growing organizations that need more control, flexibility, and security, the Business Plan introduces advanced tools to scale Retool workflows and manage larger demands.
Pricing:
- $50 per standard user/month (billed annually) or $65/month (billed monthly).
- $15 per end user/month (billed annually) or $18/month (billed monthly).
Key features:
- Unlimited environments for development, staging, and production.
- Audit logging to keep track of user actions and ensure compliance.
- Advanced permissions to manage access at a more granular level.
- Portals and embedded apps for external users like clients or vendors.
- Custom branding so your web and mobile apps align with your company's identity.
Best for: Medium to large organizations needing advanced control, robust security, dedicated support and tools for scaling operations.
Enterprise
Retool's Enterprise Pricing Plan is the most comprehensive offering, built for large-scale organizations with complex workflows, strict compliance needs, and a demand for tailored solutions.
Pricing:
- Custom Retool pricing based on your team size and specific requirements (contact Retool's sales team for details).
Features: Everything in the Business Plan, plus:
- SAML/OpenID Connect SSO for secure, streamlined authentication.
- Source control integration to manage app versions effectively.
- Multi-instance deployments for distributed or large-scale teams.
- A dedicated account manager to provide tailored guidance and support.
- Custom integrations to adapt Retool to your unique business needs.
Best For: Enterprises that require tailored solutions, top-notch, security features, and premium support to handle complex operations.
Annual Billing Discounts
While monthly basis subscriptions may feel like a safer option, choosing an annual plan comes with a 20% discount—a significant saving for teams planning to use Retool long-term.For example:
- The Team Plan drops from $12/month to $10/month per user.
- The Business Plan reduces from $65/month to $50/month per user.
If you plan to use Retool long-term, choosing annual billing can save you money and make budgeting easier.
Retool's pricing seems straightforward, it's important to plan for additional costs that might come up as your needs evolve. These can add up, so keeping them on your radar and pricing changes early can help you avoid surprises later.
Here's what to watch out for:
1. Workflow run limits
2. Storage overages
3. External user access
4. Self-hosting costs
5. Advanced features
6. Support and customization costs
How to Plan for Hidden Costs
- Audit your needs: Regularly review your workflow usage, storage requirements, and the number of app users to anticipate overages.
- Evaluate long-term scalability: As your team grows, ensure you account for additional workflow runs, storage, or user costs.
- Consider self-hosting costs: If data compliance is critical, budget for self-hosting and DevOps expenses early on.
- Upgrade strategically: Assess whether upgrading plans or purchasing add-ons will offer better value for your needs.
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Here are some practical tips to help you save on Retool pricing while still getting the most out of the platform:
1. Negotiate discounts
Retool offers opportunities for businesses to reduce costs through negotiations, particularly if you're considering a larger commitment. For example, you can opt for annual billing, leverage user count or try enterprise plans negotiations—these can lead to better terms.
2. Choose the right plan
Selecting the plan that matches your team's needs and managing your user roles wisely can help you avoid unnecessary costs. What's important is to:
- Evaluate user roles
- Start with the Team Plan and see how it goes
- Monitor workflow runs
- Consider alternatives for external user pricing
3. Plan for growth strategically
- Forecast your needs: Think about your team size and app usage over the next year. Choosing a higher-tier plan proactively might save more than adding features or users piecemeal later.
- Utilize free trials: Test advanced features or higher-tier plans during free trial periods to understand what you truly need before committing.
Bonus: Special Retool.com pricing
If you're a student, educator, nonprofit, or part of a startup, Retool has exciting offers tailored just for you. Here's what you can take advantage of:
- Nonprofit Program
Nonprofits can access up to 25 free seats on the Business Plan, which includes both standard and end users. This flexibility allows you to choose the combination of roles that best fits your team's needs.
Who can apply:
- Officially registered nonprofit organizations.
- Must use an official nonprofit email address for verification.
What will you get:
- A monthly billing credit of $1,625, covers up to 25 Business Standard users for free.
How to apply:
- Sign up for a free Retool organization (Cloud or Self-Hosted).
- Submit the Nonprofit Program Application.
- Once approved, upgrade to the Team or Business Retool pricing in your billing settings.
- Education Program
Retool supports learning and teaching with access to the cloud-hosted Business Plan or free version of the self-hosted Team Plan at no cost.
Who can apply:
- Current students or educators with a valid educational email address.
What will you get:
- 100% free access to the monthly Team or Business plan.
How to apply:
- Sign up for a free Retool organization (Cloud or Self-Hosted).
- Submit the Education Program Application.
- Once approved, upgrade to the Team or Business plan in your billing settings.
- Startups
If you're a startup, Retool offers up to $25,000 in credits for one year to help you get started.
Who can apply:
- Startups less than 10 years old.
- Companies with less than $10 million in total funding.
- Businesses that are new Retool customers on monthly Team or Business plans.
- Eligible funding stages: bootstrapped, angel-funded, debt-funded, pre-seed, seed, or Series A.
What will you get:
- 100% discount for the first year on Retool's Team or Business plan (up to a $60,000 value).
- 25% discount for the second year.
How to apply:
- Sign up for a free Retool organization (Cloud or Self-Hosted).
- Upgrade to the monthly Team or Business plan.
- Submit the Startup Program Application.
- Once approved, the discount is automatically applied to your first invoice.
A more comprehensive guide and FAQ you can find here.
The Bottom Line
If Retool pricing model is a concern, or if you're unsure whether it's the right platform for your needs, we've got plenty of resources to help you decide.
Check out our blog for more practical tips and insights on Retool. And if you need personalized guidance for retool worth your project, our team of experts is here to help. Just hit the link to contact us.
Streamlining Gifting Marketplace Operations with Retool
Afloat, a gifting marketplace, needed custom dashboards to streamline order management, delivery tracking, and reporting while integrating with Shopify and external APIs.
The solution:
We built two Retool-based dashboards:
- A Retail Partner Dashboard embedded into Shopify for managing orders and store performance.
- An Admin Dashboard for handling deliveries and partner data.
Both dashboards included real-time integration with Afloat's Backend and APIs for accurate, up-to-date data and scalability.
The result: enhanced efficiency, error-free real-time data, and scalable dashboards for high-order volumes.
Billing Automation for a SaaS Company with Low-Code
Our client needed a robust billing solution to manage hierarchical licenses, ensure compliance, and automate invoicing for streamlined operations.
The solution:
We developed a Retool-based application that supports multi-tiered licenses, automates invoicing workflows, and integrates seamlessly with CRM and accounting platforms to enhance financial data management.
The result:
- Achieved 100% adherence to licensing agreements, mitigating penalties.
- Automated invoicing and workflows reduced manual effort significantly.
- Dashboards and reports improved decision-making and operational visibility.
Retool Dashboards with HubSpot Integration
Our client needed a centralized tool to aggregate account and contact activity, improving visibility and decision-making for the sales team.
The solution
We built a Retool application integrated with HubSpot, QuickMail, and Clay.com. The app features dashboards for sorting, filtering, and detailed views of companies, contacts, and deals, along with real-time notifications and bidirectional data syncing.
The result
- MVP in 50 hours: Delivered a functional application in just 50 hours.
- Smarter decisions: Enabled data-driven insights for strategic planning.
- Streamlined operations: Reduced manual tasks with automation and real-time updates.
Lead Generation Tool to Reduce Manual Work
Our client, Afore Capital, a venture capital firm focused on pre-seed investments, aimed to automate their lead generation processes but struggled with existing out-of-the-box solutions. To tackle this challenge, they sought assistance from our team of Akveo Retool experts.
The scope of work
The client needed a tailored solution to log and track inbound deals effectively. They required an application that could facilitate the addition, viewing, and editing of company and founder information, ensuring data integrity and preventing duplicates. Additionally, Afore Capital aimed to integrate external tools like PhantomBuster and LinkedIn to streamline data collection.
The result
By developing a custom Retool application, we streamlined the lead generation process, significantly reducing manual data entry. The application enabled employees to manage inbound deals efficiently while automated workflows for email parsing, notifications, and dynamic reporting enhanced operational efficiency. This allowed Afore Capital's team to focus more on building relationships with potential founders rather than on administrative tasks.
Retool CMS Application for EdTech Startup
Our client, CutTime, a leading fine arts education management platform, needed a scalable CMS application to improve vendor product management and user experience.
The scope of work
We developed a Retool application that allows vendors to easily upload and manage product listings, handle inventory, and set shipping options. The challenge was to integrate the app with the client’s system, enabling smooth authentication and product management for program directors.
The result
Our solution streamlined product management, reducing manual work for vendors, and significantly improving operational efficiency.
Building Reconciliation Tool for e-commerce company
Our client was in need of streamlining and simplifying its monthly accounting reconciliation process – preferably automatically. But with a lack of time and low budget for a custom build, development of a comprehensive software wasn’t in the picture. After going through the case and customer’s needs, we decided to implement Retool. And that was the right choice.
The scope of work
Our team developed a custom reconciliation tool designed specifically for the needs of high-volume transaction environments. It automated the processes and provided a comprehensive dashboard for monitoring discrepancies and anomalies in real-time.
The implementation of Retool significantly reduced manual effort, as well as fostered a more efficient and time-saving reconciliation process.
Creating Retool Mobile App for a Wine Seller
A leading spirits and wine seller in Europe required the development of an internal mobile app for private client managers and administrators. The project was supposed to be done in 1,5 months. Considering urgency and the scope of work, our developers decided to use Retool for swift and effective development.
The scope of work
Our developers built a mobile application tailored to the needs of the company's sales force: with a comprehensive overview of client interactions, facilitated order processing, and enabled access to sales history and performance metrics. It was user-friendly, with real-time updates, seamlessly integrated with existing customer databases.
The result? Increase in productivity of the sales team and improved decision-making process. But most importantly, positive feedback from the customers themselves.
Developing PoC with Low Code for a Tour Operator
To efficiently gather, centralize, and manage data is a challenge for any tour operator. Our client was not an exception. The company was seeking to get an internal software that will source information from third-party APIs and automate the travel itinerary creation process. Preferably, cost- and user-friendly tool.
The scope of work
Our experts ensured the client that all the requirements could be covered by Retool. And just in 40 hours a new software was launched. The tool had a flexible and easy-to-use interface with user authentication and an access management system panel – all the company needed. At the end, Retool was considered the main tool to replace the existing system.
Testing New Generation of Lead Management Tool with Retool
Our client, a venture fund, had challenges with managing lead generation and client acquisition. As the company grew, it aimed to attract more clients and scale faster, as well as automate the processes to save time, improve efficiency and minimize human error. The idea was to craft an internal lead generation tool that will cover all the needs. We’ve agreed that Retool will be a perfect tool for this.
The scope of work
The project initially began as a proof of concept, but soon enough, with each new feature delivered, the company experienced increased engagement and value.
We developed a web tool that integrates seamlessly with Phantombuster for data extraction and LinkedIn for social outreach. Now, the company has a platform that elevates the efficiency of their lead generation activities and provides deep insights into potential client bases.
Building an Advanced Admin Portal for Streamlined Operations
Confronted with the need for more sophisticated internal tools, an owner of IP Licensing marketplace turned to Retool to utilize its administrative functions. The primary goal was to construct an advanced admin portal that could support complex, multi-layered processes efficiently.
The scope of work
Our client needed help with updating filters and tables for its internal platform. In just 30 hours we've been able to update and create about 6 pages. Following features were introduced: add complex filtering and search, delete records, styling application with custom CSS.
Together, we have increased performance on most heavy pages and fixed circular dependency issues.
Creating MVP Dashboard for Google Cloud Users
Facing the challenge of unoptimized cloud resource management, a technology firm working with Google Cloud users was looking for a solution to make its operations more efficient. The main idea of the project was to create an MVP for e-commerce shops to test some client hypotheses. Traditional cloud management tools fell short.
The scope of work
Determined to break through limitations, our team of developers turned Retool. We decided to craft an MVP Dashboard specifically for Google Cloud users. This wasn't just about bringing data into view; but about reshaping how teams interact with their cloud environment.
We designed a dashboard that turned complex cloud data into a clear, strategic asset thanks to comprehensive analytics, tailored metrics, and an intuitive interface, that Retool provides. As the results, an increase in operational efficiency, significant improvement in cost management and resource optimization.
Elevating CRM with Custom HubSpot Sales Dashboard
Our other client, a SaaS startup, that offers collaborative tools for design and engineering teams, was on a quest to supercharge their sales efforts. Traditional CRM systems were limited and not customizable enough. The company sought a solution that could tailor HubSpot to their workflow and analytics needs.
The scope of work
Charged with the task of going beyond standard CRM functions, our team turned to Retool. We wanted to redefine how sales teams interact with their CRM.
By integrating advanced analytics, custom metrics, and a user-friendly interface, our developers provided a solution that transformed data into a strategic asset.
In 40 hours, three informative dashboards were developed, containing the most sensitive data related to sales activities. These dashboards enable our customer to analyze sales and lead generation performance from a different perspective and establish the appropriate KPIs.
Building a PDF Editor with Low-Code
Our client, a leading digital credential IT startup, needed a lot of internal processes to be optimized. But the experience with low-code tools wasn’t sufficient. That’s why the company decided to hire professionals. And our team of developers joined the project.
The scope of work
The client has a program that designs and prints custom badges for customers. The badges need to be “mail-merged” with a person’s info and turned into a PDF to print. But what is the best way to do it?
Our developers decided to use Retool as a core tool. Using custom components and JavaScript, we developed a program that reduced employees' time for designing, putting the data, verifying, and printing PDF badges in one application.
As a result, the new approach significantly reduces the time required by the internal team to organize all the necessary staff for the conference, including badge creation.
