Retool vs NocoDB
A detailed comparison of Retool and NocoDB to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
💰 Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Retool | NocoDB |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | ✓ Free for 5 users | ✓ Free (self-hosted) |
| Lowest Paid | $10/user/mo | Free |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Cloud plans available |
⚡ Feature Comparison
| Feature | Retool | NocoDB |
|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-drop builder | ✓ | — |
| Database connectors | ✓ | — |
| API integration | ✓ | — |
| Custom JavaScript | ✓ | — |
| Workflows | ✓ | — |
| Mobile apps | ✓ | — |
| Self-hosting | ✓ | ✓ |
| RBAC | ✓ | — |
| Audit logs | ✓ | — |
| Git sync | ✓ | — |
| Spreadsheet interface | — | ✓ |
| Gallery view | — | ✓ |
| Kanban view | — | ✓ |
| Form builder | — | ✓ |
| API access | — | ✓ |
| Database connection | — | ✓ |
| Automations | — | ✓ |
| Shared views | — | ✓ |
| Plugins | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.2 | ⭐ 4.1 |
Pros & Cons
Retool
Pros
- ✓ Fast development
- ✓ Great components
- ✓ Good integrations
- ✓ Self-hostable
Cons
- ✗ Vendor lock-in
- ✗ Complex pricing
- ✗ Limited customization
- ✗ Learning curve
NocoDB
Pros
- ✓ Open source
- ✓ Self-hostable
- ✓ Database-backed
- ✓ Free
Cons
- ✗ Less polished than Airtable
- ✗ Fewer templates
- ✗ Complex setup
- ✗ Limited support
🏆 The Verdict
Choose Retool if: You need teams building internal tools. Retool excels with its fast development and great components.
Choose NocoDB if: You need developers wanting an open-source airtable. NocoDB stands out with its open source and self-hostable.
Best free option: Both Retool and NocoDB offer free tiers. Retool offers "Free for 5 users" while NocoDB offers "Free (self-hosted)".
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Retool better than NocoDB?
It depends on your needs. Retool is better for teams building internal tools, while NocoDB is better for developers wanting an open-source airtable. Both are excellent tools rated 4.2 and 4.1 respectively.
Which is cheaper, Retool or NocoDB?
Retool starts at $10/user/mo while NocoDB starts at Free. Both offer free tiers.
Can I switch from Retool to NocoDB?
Most tools offer import/export features to help you migrate. We recommend trying NocoDB's free tier before fully committing to a switch.
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