Make vs Retool: Which No-Code & Automation Tool Is Better in 2026?

Make

From $9

Retool

From $10

Quick verdict

Overall pick: Retool

Pick Make if you are automating workflows with complex branching logic and want a flat starting price of $9 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 or native mobile app generation, which Make does not offer. Retool's per-seat pricing means costs scale with each user added, while Make's flat billing does not.

Make's entry plan ($9) is 10% cheaper than Retool's ($10).
Retool charges per user while Make uses a flat price, so Make 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, native mobile app generation.

Try Make →Try Retool →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
Make · flat	$9.00	$108
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
Automating high-volume workflows with complex branching	Make	Make lists complex branching logic and cost-effective high-volume automations as its best-fit uses, and its flat $9 starting price does not scale per user.
Building internal tools and admin dashboards	Retool	Retool is positioned for internal tools, admin panels, and business apps, with engineering teams connecting SQL and APIs as its stated best fit.
Teams needing a self-hosted deployment	Retool	Retool offers a self-hosted option; Make does not.
Generating a native mobile app	Retool	Retool supports native mobile app generation; Make does not.
Adding users without per-seat cost growth	Make	Make bills flat from $9, while Retool bills per seat from $10, so adding users raises Retool costs.

Feature comparison: Make vs Retool

Feature	Make	Retool
Free plan	✅	✅
Starting price	$9 /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

Make

Flat billing starting at $9, so cost does not rise per added user
Built for complex branching logic and multi-step conditional routers
Includes a built-in database, pre-built connectors, custom webhooks, and an AI workflow copilot
Free plan available

No self-hosted or open-source option
No native mobile app generation
Per-seat pricing is not offered, which may not suit teams wanting usage-based seats

Try Make →

Retool

Self-hosted option available, unlike Make
Native mobile app generation supported
Suited to internal tools, admin panels, and engineering teams connecting SQL and APIs
Includes visual builder, pre-built connectors, built-in database, multi-step logic, webhooks, and AI workflow copilot

Per-seat billing from $10 means costs grow with each user added
Higher starting price than Make's $9 flat plan
Positioned around internal tools rather than high-volume workflow automation

Try Retool →

COMMUNITY POLL

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At a glance

Make

Visual platform for designing, building, and automating complex workflows.

Founded 2012 · From $9 · 6/8 tracked features

Best for: complex branching logic, cost-effective high-volume automations

See Make alternatives →

Retool

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 Make cheaper than Retool?

Make starts at $9 with flat billing, while Retool starts at $10 per seat. Make's cost stays flat as users are added, whereas Retool's cost rises with each seat.

Does Retool offer self-hosting?

Yes, Retool offers a self-hosted option. Make does not.

Can Make generate a native mobile app?

No. Make does not support native mobile app generation, while Retool does.

Do both tools include a built-in database and AI workflow builder?

Yes. Both Make and Retool list a built-in database, pre-built connectors, multi-step logic, custom webhooks, and an AI workflow copilot.

Which tool is better for internal tools?

Retool is positioned for internal tools, admin panels, and business apps, and its best-fit uses include engineering teams connecting SQL and APIs.

Related comparisons

Data last reviewed: pending verification. All No-Code & Automation tools →