Base44 vs Retool
Base44
base44.com
Retool
retool.comSide by side
| Figure | Base44 | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $16/mo | $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 11 | 5 |
| Spec score · No-code app builders | 9.2 (#9) | 9.0 (#15) |
| Spec score · AI App Builders | 9.3 (#2) | 8.4 (#22) |
| Spec score · App Generation | 9.3 (#2) | 8.4 (#14) |
| Spec score · No-Code AI App Builders | 9.3 (#2) | 8.4 (#18) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | One-click connectors include Salesforce, Notion, Slack, Google Calendar, Google Drive, HubSpot, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Docs, LinkedIn, TikTok, Gmail and Discord. | The integrations page lists connections including REST API, Google Sheets, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Firebase, GraphQL, Snowflake, Salesforce, and Slack. |
| Security | Base44 states that applications use AES-256 encryption, TLS 1.2+, security scans, SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 controls. | Retool lists role-based access controls, audit logging, SSO, independent workspaces, and self-hosting as security capabilities. |
| Paid from | 16 | 10 |
Plans
Base44
- FreeFree
- Starter$16 a month
- Builder$40 a month
- Pro$80 a month
- Elite$160 a month
- FreeFree
- Starter$192 a year
- Builder$480 a year
- Pro$960 a year
- Elite$1,920 a year
Retool
- FreeFree
- Team$10 a month
- Business$50 a month
- FreeFree
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
Base44
Base44 turns plain-language descriptions into apps, websites, agents, backends and games. It generates code, structure, design and logic without requiring coding experience, and sets up user logins, authentication, data storage and role-based permissions as an app is built. Hosting, analytics and custom domains are included, and published apps are live and shareable. Its Superagents can automate workflows, manage data and connect with tools. One-click connectors include Salesforce, Notion, Slack, HubSpot, LinkedIn, TikTok, Discord, Gmail and Google Workspace services; custom integrations can connect other services with APIs using the user's credentials. Base44 says users own their code, data and users, and can export source through two-way GitHub sync. The free plan allows up to five apps with 25 message credits and 100 integration credits per month. Starter costs $16 a month, billed annually. Higher listed paid plans cost 40.00 USD, 80.00 USD and $160 a month, each billed annually. The platform lists web and API access, but no mobile apps.
Retool
Retool provides tools for building apps and automations that connect to a business’s own data and can run in its infrastructure or the cloud. Its AI-native app builder generates a working app from a description for users to refine. The product supports web apps, progressive web apps, and native iOS and Android apps; mobile apps can take photos, scan barcodes, capture signatures, and read NFC tags. Workflows support scheduled and webhook triggers, custom error handling, and automatic retry policies. Listed connections include REST API, Google Sheets, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Firebase, GraphQL, Snowflake, Salesforce, and Slack. Retool lists role-based access controls, audit logging, SSO, independent workspaces, and self-hosting among its security capabilities. It says queries run against customers’ own data sources and that it does not store their data. Hosting can be in the cloud or self-hosted in a customer VPC, with Docker setup listed for self-hosting. The free plan supports up to five users. Team costs $10 a month per builder and $5 a month per internal user, with the listed Team features including 5,000 workflow runs and 1,000 AI credits monthly.