How Much Does Retool Cost? A Complete Guide to Retool Pricing

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 Free Plan but with limitations on features and capacity. It’s a solid starting point for small teams or testing purposes, though scaling your tools or unlocking advanced capabilities will require a paid plan.

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 users – perfect for small teams or individuals building internal tools.
• Unlimited web and mobile apps – no restrictions on the number of 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 paid plan if:

• Your team has more users.
• You need advanced 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’s paid plans start at $10 per standard user per month and increase based on the features and scale your team needs. For growing organizations or enterprises, there are Business and Enterprise plans available to meet more advanced requirements.

Retool Cost: A Clear Breakdown

Retool offers three main pricing plans—Team, Business, and Enterprise—designed to accommodate teams of all sizes. Each plan includes a unique set of features and pricing options, from small teams just starting out to large-scale organizations that require more control and flexibility. But before we dive into the details, let’s break down that last part—the users—since understanding them is key to managing costs and choosing the right plan.

Retool User Roles

Retool categorizes users into three roles, each with distinct functionality and pricing:

• Standard users: Builders and editors who create and manage apps or workflows.
  Example: A developer customizing an internal dashboard.
  Cost: Included in the per-user pricing of Team and Business plans—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-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 Enterprise plans.

Retool Paid Plans

Team Plan

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 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 scale.

Business Plan

For growing organizations that need more control, flexibility, and security, the Business Plan introduces advanced tools to scale 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 apps align with your company’s identity.

‍Best for: Medium to large organizations needing advanced control, robust security, and tools for scaling operations.

Enterprise Plan

The Enterprise Plan is Retool’s most comprehensive offering, built for large-scale organizations with complex workflows, strict compliance needs, and a demand for tailored solutions.

‍Pricing:

• Custom 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, and premium support to handle complex operations.

‍Annual Billing Discounts

‍While monthly 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 Hidden Costs

While 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 early can help you avoid surprises later.

Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Workflow run limits

• Each plan includes a set number of workflow runs per month (e.g., 5,000 runs for the Team Plan). If your workflows exceed this limit, you’ll need to purchase additional workflow capacity, which can increase costs significantly.

2. Storage overages

• The Free Plan comes with 5GB of storage, but if your app data grows or you have heavy workflows, you’ll likely need additional storage space. Paid plans include more storage, but large-scale apps or data-heavy processes may still require extra space, leading to added costs.

3. External user access

• External users (e.g., clients or vendors accessing embedded apps) typically require a Business or Enterprise plan. Depending on the number of external users and the frequency of access, this cost can increase rapidly.

4. Self-hosting costs

• If you decide to self-host Retool—often for security or compliance reasons—there are additional expenses to consider. These typically include:some text
  • Fees for server hosting.
  • Time and resources for regular updates and maintenance.
  • IT support to ensure uptime and resolve any issues that come up.

5. Advanced features

• Features like Single Sign-On (SSO), source control integration, or custom branding are only available on higher-tier plans (Business or Enterprise). If your team needs them but doesn’t plan for them, upgrading to access these tools can be a significant cost increase.

6. Support and customization costs

• Premium support or a dedicated account manager is typically only available on the Enterprise Plan. Custom integrations or unique workflows often require additional development effort, which may come at an extra cost (either from Retool or your own team).

How to Plan for Hidden Costs

1. Audit your needs: Regularly review your workflow usage, storage requirements, and the number of users to anticipate overages.
2. Evaluate long-term scalability: As your team grows, ensure you account for additional workflow runs, storage, or user costs.
3. Consider self-hosting costs: If data compliance is critical, budget for hosting and DevOps expenses early on.
4. Upgrade strategically: Assess whether upgrading plans or purchasing add-ons will offer better value for your needs.

While Retool is a powerful platform, these additional costs are important to consider to avoid surprises. Planning ahead can help you optimize your budget while maximizing the platform’s potential.

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How to save on Retool price

Here are some practical tips to help you save on 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.

• Opt for annual billing: Retool provides a 20% discount for annual contracts compared to monthly billing. If you’re confident in using Retool long-term, this is the easiest way to save.
• Leverage user count: Larger teams often have room to negotiate better rates. If you’re scaling up, talk to Retool’s sales team about bulk discounts.
• Enterprise negotiations: For the Enterprise Plan, pricing is custom, and negotiating based on your specific needs—such as custom integrations or dedicated support—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.

• Evaluate user roles:
  • Assign Standard Users only to team members who actively build or edit apps.
  • Use End Users for those who only view or interact with apps at a lower cost.
• Start with the Team Plan: For smaller or medium teams, the Team Plan provides ample functionality without the higher costs of the Business Plan. Upgrade only when you need advanced features like unlimited environments or audit logging.
• Monitor workflow runs: Keep an eye on your workflow usage to avoid overages. Streamline processes and workflows to stay within the limits of your plan.
• Consider alternatives for external users: If you have a high number of external users, explore whether portals or embedded apps under the Business Plan fit your needs better than custom Enterprise solutions.

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 credit of $1,625, covers up to 25 Business Standard users for free.

How to apply:

1. Sign up for a free Retool organization (Cloud or Self-Hosted).
2. Submit the Nonprofit Program Application.
3. Once approved, upgrade to the Team or Business plan in your billing settings.

- Education Program

Retool supports learning and teaching with access to the cloud-hosted Business Plan or 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:

1. Sign up for a free Retool organization (Cloud or Self-Hosted).
2. Submit the Education Program Application.
3. 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:

1. Sign up for a free Retool organization (Cloud or Self-Hosted).
2. Upgrade to the monthly Team or Business plan.
3. Submit the Startup Program Application.
4. Once approved, the discount is automatically applied to your first invoice.

A more comprehensive guide and FAQ you can find here.

How Pricing of Retool Compares to Alternatives

Is Retool worth the investment? Here’s how it stacks up against other popular low-code platforms:

• Budibase: Starts at5/user—great for simple CRUD apps but falls short when it comes to advanced workflows or backend power.
• Superblocks: Offers usage-based pricing, which is affordable at first, but costs can rise as you scale. Backend automation is strong, but front-end features are limited.
• UI Bakery: Priced at $10/user; it’s excellent for front-end design but doesn’t offer the backend flexibility Retool provides.
• ToolJet: Free for self-hosted teams and budget-friendly overall, though it doesn’t scale or offer advanced features like Retool.
• Appsmith: Open-source and budget-friendly, ideal for connecting APIs, but it lacks the polished UI and enterprise features Retool delivers.
• Microsoft Power Apps: Starts at $5/user and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft tools, but it’s less customizable for teams that need flexibility.
• Airtable: Priced at $10user, it works well for managing lightweight workflows but isn’t as adaptable for complex tools.

Why Retool is a Smart Investment?

Beyond pricing, Retool delivers significant value for teams looking to build and scale internal tools:

• Faster development: With pre-built components and a drag-and-drop editor, you can build tools in days—not weeks. Less development time means saving money.
• Reusable components: Create templates and modules you can reuse across projects. It’s a huge time-saver and ensures consistency across all your tools.
• Control and flexibility: Retool combines the simplicity of low-code with the flexibility of writing custom SQL queries and integrating APIs. Developers get full control without slowing down development.
• Seamless integrations: Connect to databases, APIs, spreadsheets, and cloud services effortlessly—without the hefty costs often associated with custom integrations.
• Robust Security: Retool prioritizes security with features like SSO (Single Sign-On), role-based access controls, and audit logs. For organizations with strict requirements, Retool also supports on-premise hosting to keep your tools under your control.
• Lower Upfront Costs: You don’t need a large team or heavy infrastructure investment to get started. Retool’s subscription model makes it accessible for companies of all sizes.

The Bottom Line

If Retool pricing 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 your project, our team of experts is here to help. Just hit the link to contact us.