Bubble vs Retool: Which No-Code & Automation Tool Is Better in 2026?
Bubble
From $29Retool
From $10Quick verdict
Overall pick: Tie
Pick Bubble if you are building a customer-facing SaaS product or a complex multi-user database and want a flat monthly price rather than per-seat billing. Pick Retool if you are an engineering team building internal tools and admin dashboards, especially if you need a self-hosted option. Retool's lower starting price of $10 per seat only stays cheaper at small seat counts, since per-seat billing scales with every user you add, whereas Bubble's flat billing does not.
- Retool's entry plan ($10) is 66% cheaper than Bubble's ($29).
- Retool charges per user while Bubble uses a flat price, so Bubble gets relatively cheaper as your team grows.
- Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
- Only Retool offers: self-hosted / open-source option.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Bubble · flat | $29.00 | $348 |
| Retool · per user | $50.00 | $600 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Building a customer-facing SaaS product | Bubble | Bubble is positioned for SaaS founders and scalable web apps, and its flat billing avoids per-user cost growth as your customer base expands. |
| Building internal admin panels and dashboards | Retool | Retool is positioned for internal tools and admin dashboards, with engineering teams connecting SQL and APIs as its stated best fit. |
| Deploying on your own infrastructure | Retool | Retool offers a self-hosted option; Bubble does not. |
| Keeping costs predictable across many users | Bubble | Bubble bills a flat rate starting at $29, while Retool bills per seat starting at $10, so Retool costs rise with each added user. |
| Small team on a minimal starting budget | Retool | Retool's starting price of $10 per seat is lower than Bubble's flat $29, which favors very small teams. |
Feature comparison: Bubble vs Retool
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Starting price | $29 /mo | $10 /user/mo |
| Visual flow & drag-and-drop builder | ✅ | ✅ |
| Self-hosted / open-source option | — | ✅ |
| Pre-built app connectors & integrations | ✅ | ✅ |
| Built-in database / table storage | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-step branches & conditional routers | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom webhooks & API HTTP requests | ✅ | ✅ |
| Native mobile app generation | ✅ | ✅ |
| AI workflow & assistant builder | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
Bubble
- Flat billing starting at $29 avoids per-seat cost growth as users are added
- Includes a built-in database suited to complex multi-user data
- Covers the full feature set: visual builder, connectors, multi-step logic, webhooks, mobile app export, and AI workflow copilot
- Offers a free plan
- No self-hosted or open-source option
- Flat pricing starts higher than Retool's per-seat entry price for very small teams
Retool
- Self-hosted option available, which Bubble lacks
- Lower starting price at $10 per seat for small teams
- Covers the full feature set: visual builder, connectors, multi-step logic, webhooks, mobile app export, and AI workflow copilot
- Offers a free plan
- Per-seat billing means costs scale with every user added
- Positioned for internal tools rather than customer-facing SaaS products
Which tool would you pick for your stack?
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At a glance
Full-stack no-code platform to build complex web apps and SaaS products.
Founded 2012 · From $29 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: SaaS founders & scalable web apps, complex multi-user databases
See Bubble alternatives →Fastest way to build internal tools, admin panels, and business apps.
Founded 2017 · From $10 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: internal tools & admin dashboards, engineering teams connecting SQL/APIs
See Retool alternatives →FAQ
Is Bubble cheaper than Retool?
It depends on team size. Bubble starts at a flat $29, while Retool starts at $10 per seat. Retool is cheaper for very small teams, but because it bills per seat, Bubble's flat price can be cheaper as the number of users grows.
Does Retool offer self-hosting?
Yes, Retool offers a self-hosted option. Bubble does not offer self-hosting.
Do both tools include a built-in database?
Yes, both Bubble and Retool include built-in database or table storage.
Which tool is better for internal tools?
Retool is positioned for internal tools, admin panels, and engineering teams connecting SQL and APIs. Bubble is positioned for SaaS founders and scalable customer-facing web apps.
Do both tools have a free plan?
Yes, both Bubble and Retool offer a free plan.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All No-Code & Automation tools →