User Interface and Experience
Ease of Use
Retool is a developer-focused platform with powerful tools for building internal apps.
It offers pre-built components and seamless integrations for backend workflows.
Interface can be complex for beginners but becomes highly flexible and efficient with experience.
Bubble has a user-friendly interface designed for non-technical users.
This no-code platform is ideal for creating visually appealing web applications.
Extensive customization options may overwhelm beginners, but basic tasks are easy to learn.
Customization
The tool connects easily with backend systems, giving you the flexibility to customize workflows and build internal tools that fit your needs.
With JavaScript, you can add custom features and make adjustments to create the right solution for your project.
Retool comes with a wide range of components that you can quickly tweak to match your specific requirements.
It includes a drag-and-drop editor that lets you control app design in detail, making it a good choice for creating user-friendly apps.
You can add custom plugins and integrations to expand what your app can do.
Basic features are straightforward, but learning the advanced ones might take a bit more time.
Templates and Components
Retool provides a variety of components like tables, forms, and charts that are ready to use and simple to set up.
You can use JavaScript to customize components, making it easy to handle specific needs or build complex internal tools.
It comes with pre-made templates for common workflows, helping you save time when creating apps.
Check out the full list of templates here.
Bubble offers templates for many app types, like e-commerce, social networks and other. While they work well for most projects, they might not cover more complex or specific needs. Beginners might struggle with adjusting advanced features, and using third-party plugins can add extra challenges.
The drag-and-drop elements are easy to adjust, giving you plenty of creative freedom to design and customize your app’s functionality.
Short Recap
Ease of Use: Developer-focused interface with a learning curve, but highly flexible once mastered.
Customization: Strong customization with APIs, SQL, and custom code, ideal for complex backend solutions.
Templates and Components: Offers useful pre-built components, but full customization requires coding.
Main Strength: Powerful for backend applications and complex workflows.
Main Weakness: Requires technical expertise for complex scenarios.
Ease of Use: Intuitive interface, but advanced features can be tricky for beginners.
Customization: Highly customizable for design and functionality, though some advanced features are challenging to implement.
Templates and Components: Wide range of templates and plugins, but deep customization may be time-consuming.
Main Strength: Ideal for creating visually appealing web apps.
Main Weakness: Advanced customizations can be complex and may require extra effort.
Features and Functionality
Core Features
Retool makes it easier to build internal apps with a range of pre-built components that can be customized to suit your needs.
It works well with databases, APIs, and other services, so managing and displaying data is simple.
If you need more advanced features, you can add your own customizations using JavaScript and SQL.
Retool also handles real-time data updates, keeping your apps responsive and interactive.
Bubble gives you full control over your app’s logic and interactions, allowing you to design custom workflows that suit your specific needs.
It also offers a high level of flexibility for design and layout, enabling you to customize the look and feel of your app in detail.
Your app’s design adjusts itself to fit any screen size. That means it will work perfectly across all devices.
Another good thing about Bubble is its plugin marketplace that can help you find useful tools and features to expand your app’s capabilities.
Advanced Features
Retool makes it simple to connect with external services and handle complex workflows through its powerful API integration features.
With built-in version control, you can easily track changes and manage updates to keep your applications running smoothly.
For advanced projects, Retool allows you to create and deploy custom backends, making it a strong choice for enterprise-level applications.
It also supports custom scripting with JavaScript and SQL, giving you the flexibility to create advanced customizations and seamless integrations.
With Bubble, you can create workflows that let your app respond to specific conditions, giving you more control over how it works.
You can create and manage custom databases to handle dynamic data for your app’s features with ease.
Server-side actions let you handle more advanced processes directly on the server, making it easier to scale your app.
The AI page designer simplifies the process of building web pages by generating them from a simple text description.
Automation and Workflow
Retool provides robust automation tools for backend workflows, enabling data handling, updates, and integrations with external services.
You can create custom workflows that trigger actions based on events, such as fetching data when a form is submitted or calling an API when a user interacts with a component. For instance, selecting an item in a table can automatically fetch related data from an API or database.
Besides, Retool integrates with APIs, SQL databases, and other services, streamlining data across systems.
With Bubble’s visual editor, you can easily create automated workflows with no need to code.
You can set up tasks like sending emails, updating data, or creating records with simple triggers and conditions.
For more advanced workflows, Bubble allows you to connect to APIs and use conditional logic. But if you’re just starting out, you might need some time to figure out how to use more complex features.
Short Recap
Core Features: Retool provides a variety of pre-built components and seamless backend integrations, such as APIs and databases. It also allows you to add custom code for greater flexibility.
Advanced Features: With Retool, you can use JavaScript for custom scripting, manage real-time data updates, and take advantage of version control to handle complex tasks.
Automation and Workflow: You can easily automate data handling and connect to APIs, but setting up more advanced workflows might need some coding knowledge.
Main Strength: Retool excels at automating both frontend and backend processes while offering plenty of options for customization and integration.
Main Weakness: Steep learning curve for non-technical users, as mastering advanced features and integrations requires coding knowledge.
Core Features: Bubble's drag-and-drop editor allows full customization of web apps, with no coding required.
Advanced Features: The platform supports custom workflows, API integrations, and database management for no-code development of complex apps.
Automation and Workflow: Easy to automate workflows with conditional logic and API integrations, though advanced workflows can be challenging.
Main Strength: Ideal for creating no-code, user-facing web apps.
Main Weakness: Complex workflows and advanced customizations can be hard to manage for beginners.
Integrations
Third-party Integrations
Retool is built to excel in third-party integrations, offering seamless connections with various APIs, databases (like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB), and third-party services such as Stripe, Salesforce, Firebase, etc. A full list of integrations is available here.
Its flexibility allows developers to configure complex integrations and tailor workflows to specific needs.
Retool also supports custom APIs, making it highly adaptable for unique business requirements.
Bubble provides solid third-party integration capabilities through its API connector, enabling users to connect to services like payment gateways (Stripe), email tools, social media platforms, and other web services.
The platform also supports plugins for popular integrations, reducing setup complexity for many users.
But: Custom or advanced integrations can become tricky and may require a deeper understanding of API structures and Bubble’s interface, which might be challenging for beginners.
Ease of Connection
Retool offers straightforward connections to a wide range of databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) and APIs through built-in connectors.
The platform allows users to easily authenticate with external services via OAuth, API keys, or other credentials.
Real-time data syncing ensures a smooth connection between the app and data sources.
Bubble enables “no-code users” to link their apps to external services with minimal effort.
Plugins for popular tools like Stripe, Google Maps, and Mailchimp make integration faster and easier.
It also offers documentation and visual tools to guide users through setup.
Short Recap
Third-Party Integrations: It has a strong support for APIs, databases, and services like Stripe and Salesforce, with flexibility for custom APIs.
Ease of Connection: Offers an easy setup for common databases and APIs, custom integrations are also possible.
Main Strength: Highly adaptable for complex integrations and backend systems.
Main Weakness: Requires technical skills for advanced configurations.
Third-Party Integrations: Bubble includes a solid API integration through the API connector and plugins for popular tools like Stripe and Mailchimp.
Ease of Connection: Intuitive for standard connections, with plugins simplifying setup, but complex APIs can be harder for beginners.
Main Strength: Ideal for no-code users connecting to popular third-party tools.
Main Weakness: Advanced custom connections can be challenging.
Performance and Scalability
Speed and Efficiency
It is optimized for high performance, handling complex, data-intensive applications with ease.
Real-time updates ensure seamless user interactions and dynamic data handling.
Direct connections to databases and APIs eliminate delays caused by intermediate layers.
Scales effectively to manage enterprise-grade workloads and large datasets.
Suitable for small to medium-scale applications, offering solid performance for standard workflows.
Visual workflow design simplifies development but can lead to slower execution for complex logic.
Scaling your app is possible with plan upgrades, but bigger applications might need some extra fine-tuning.
Scalability
Retool’s scalability features are rooted in its ability to directly integrate with databases and APIs, ensuring seamless handling of high data volumes and complex workflows.
Its architecture supports enterprise-grade performance, making it ideal for rapidly scaling backend-heavy applications without compromising efficiency or reliability.
Bubble makes it easy to scale by upgrading your plan and allocating additional resources, making it a good fit for small to medium-sized applications.
While it can handle growing demands, the no-code approach may lead to performance challenges, particularly with data-heavy tasks or very complex workflows in larger apps.
Short Recap
Speed and Efficiency: Provides quick performance with real-time data updates and smooth backend operations.
Scalability: Easily supports enterprise-level apps and complex workflows, adapting as your needs expand.
Main Strength: Ideal for data-heavy, backend-focused applications.
Main Weakness: Requires technical expertise for advanced use.
Speed and Efficiency: Offers a solid performance for small to medium apps but slower with complex workflows.
Scalability: Scalable through plan upgrades, but large-scale apps may require optimization.
Main Strength: Great for creating visually appealing no-code web apps.
Main Weakness: Limited performance for data-intensive operations.
Security and Compliance
Data Security
Retool ensures data security with encryption for data at rest and in transit, protecting sensitive information.
It supports role-based access control (RBAC) for user permissions and complies with standards such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Flexible hosting options, including private cloud and VPN deployment, further enhance security.
Bubble includes standard security features such as SSL encryption for data in transit.
Provides tools for setting up user authentication and access controls.
With managed hosting, the platform makes it easy to handle security for smaller apps.
Users can add extra security features to Bubble using special plugins.
For larger apps, setting up custom security might be a bit more challenging. Sensitive data is stored within Bubble’s hosting environment.
Compliance
Retool complies with key security standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR. It's a great option for environments that need strong privacy and security.
The platform includes helpful features like audit logs and role-based access control (RBAC). With them, manage compliance becomes much easier.
Retool also offers flexible hosting options, so you can have more control over sensitive data. This could be crucial for businesses with strict security requirements.
Bubble, on the other hand, follows similar compliance standards, including SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR, providing the necessary tools for developing secure applications.
It provides audit logs, data encryption, and role-based access control, similar to Retool.
However, its focus is more on no-code development, and while it supports compliance, users may need to rely on additional integrations or hosting configurations for more advanced requirements in heavily regulated industries.
Short Recap
Data Security: Strong data encryption, RBAC, and flexible hosting options.
Compliance: SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and other frameworks.
Main Strength: Enterprise-grade security and compliance for complex applications.
Main Weakness: Requires technical knowledge for custom configurations.
Data Security: SSL encryption and basic security tools.
Compliance: Supports SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and other frameworks, but may need additional integrations for highly regulated environments
Main Strength: Provides a solid foundation for compliance and security in no-code apps.
Main Weakness: May require extra work or integrations for full compliance in heavily regulated sectors.
Pricing
Plans Overview
Free Plan: Available for up to 5 users, offering core features like drag-and-drop UI and real-time data integration.
Team Plan: Priced at $10 per user/month (billed annually), includes collaboration tools and basic access controls.
Business Plan: At $50 per user/month (billed annually), it provides advanced permissions, audit logs, and additional security features.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for tailored enterprise needs, including advanced security, private cloud hosting, and dedicated support
Check out more about Retool prices on the official website or read the detailed Retool pricing guide.
Free Plan: Ideal for learning; includes development version, API connector, and 50k workload units.
Starter Plan: $32/month; adds live app, custom domain, recurring workflows, and 175k workload units.
Growth Plan: $134/month; includes 2 app editors, premium control, and 250k workload units.
Team Plan: $399/month; for scaling with 5 app editors, sub-apps, and 500k workload units.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing; offers dedicated servers, priority support, and custom workload units.
Check out more about Bubble prices here.
Short Recap
Pricing: Starts at $10 per user/month with a free option for small teams and custom plans for enterprises.
Ideal for: Developers and businesses needing powerful, customizable internal tools with complex integrations and backend functionalities.
Pricing: Starts at $32 per month with a free option for basic apps and scalable plans for businesses needing advanced features.
Ideal for: No-code developers and businesses focused on building visually appealing web apps without deep technical expertise.
Use Cases
Type of Work
- Internal dashboards: building custom dashboards to track data and performance from multiple sources.
- Admin panels: creating powerful admin tools with complex workflows.
- Data management: handling and visualizing large datasets through integrations with APIs, databases, and third-party services.
- Automated workflows: streamlining backend processes with customized automation.
Check out more Retool use cases and case studies.
- No-code web apps: building interactive web applications with no coding required.
- Landing pages: creating customizable landing pages for the marketing department.
- Prototyping and MVPs: quickly building prototypes or minimum viable products for startups or testing ideas.
- Marketplaces: developing platforms where users can interact, like e-commerce sites or service marketplaces.
Short Recap
Ideal for: Data-driven internal tools, admin panels, and complex dashboards.
Ideal for: Building no-code web apps, landing pages, and marketplaces.
Reviews
User Feedback
G2:
Retool has a solid 4.6 out of 5 rating. Users especially like it for its powerful features and flexibility. With Retool, you can build any custom internal tools – from dashboard to CRM.
The platform is great for developers working on complex backend applications. But it can be difficult for non-technical users to pick up, as there's a steep learning curve.
G2:
Bubble is rated 4.4 out of 5 for its ease. Any person (including a non-developer) can quickly and with no hassle start working with this no-code tool.
Bubble is a good choice if you decide to build small web apps and MVPs. But you have to consider that the price can go higher if you decide to implement some more advanced features or scale your app.
Conclusion
When deciding between Retool vs Bubble, the best choice really depends on what you need and what you're trying to achieve. Retool is perfect for building powerful internal tools with data-driven workflows. It may take a little time to get the hang of Retool if you're not familiar with technical tools, but it has a lot of support, including an active community, forums, and detailed guides to help you get started.
Bubble, on the other hand, focuses on a no-code approach, which makes it easy to build eye-catching web apps and prototypes. However, it can face challenges when it comes to scaling and the cost of customization.
If you're trying to choose between Retool and Bubble, or another platform, our team of low-code/no-code experts is here to help. Whether you're looking into Retool, UI Bakery, or another solution, we can work with you to find the best fit for your needs and help optimize your workflows. Just contact us.
