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Head-to-head · App Generation

Bubble vs Retool

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Bubble #1 in App Generation 9.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Bubble
Retool #6 in App Generation 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Retool

Bubble leads on 0 checks, Retool on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBubble · 9.3/10
  • Lowest starting priceRetool · $10/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Bubble

Bubble scores higher on our rubric for app generation: 9.3 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Retool is cheaper to start at $10/mo against $59/mo.

Bubble is the better fit for teams building full-featured web and mobile apps. Retool is the better fit for teams building internal web and mobile tools.

  • Bubble fits best

    Teams building full-featured web and mobile apps

  • Retool fits best

    Teams building internal web and mobile tools

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Bubble 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Retool 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.8
Ranking #1 in App Generation #6 in App Generation
Best for Teams building full-featured web and mobile apps Teams building internal web and mobile tools
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $59/mo $10/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 6 integrations 9 integrations
Features Bubble 0/5 · Retool 0/5
AI prompt generation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Visual app builder Not checked yet Not checked yet
Source-code export Not checked yet Not checked yet
Backend included Not checked yet Not checked yet
Team collaboration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
App limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines visual editing, workflows, databases, and privacy rules
  • Supports native iOS and Android app building and publishing
  • Includes API connections, authentication, and version control
  • Generates app interfaces from natural-language prompts
  • Connects to databases and REST, GraphQL, and gRPC APIs
  • Supports cloud or VPC deployment for web and mobile apps
Cons
  • Native mobile building and publishing is described as beta
  • Starter begins at $59/month with annual billing
  • The free plan is limited to a development version
  • Team and Business prices shown are tied to annual billing
  • Visual building still allows for custom code, so it is not no-code only
  • The Free plan may be limiting for teams needing paid-tier capabilities
Our verdict

Bubble brings app interfaces, workflows, database management, authentication, privacy controls, API connections, hosting, and mobile publishing into a visual no-code environment. It is aimed at founders, agencies, developers, and teams…

Read the review →

Retool brings app generation, data connections, and deployment into one platform for developers, business engineers, analysts, and operations teams. Users can describe an application in natural language, then refine its interface with…

Read the review →
  1. BubbleApp Generation 9.3Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. RetoolApp Generation 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Bubble — where it wins

    • Combines visual editing, workflows, databases, and privacy rules
    • Supports native iOS and Android app building and publishing
    • Includes API connections, authentication, and version control

    Where it doesn't

    • Native mobile building and publishing is described as beta
    • Starter begins at $59/month with annual billing
    • The free plan is limited to a development version

  • Retool — where it wins

    • Generates app interfaces from natural-language prompts
    • Connects to databases and REST, GraphQL, and gRPC APIs
    • Supports cloud or VPC deployment for web and mobile apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Team and Business prices shown are tied to annual billing
    • Visual building still allows for custom code, so it is not no-code only
    • The Free plan may be limiting for teams needing paid-tier capabilities
  • Bubble9.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A broad visual app builder for web and mobile, with workflows, data, and publishing tools.

    Visit BubbleFull verdict →
  • Retool8.8/10 · Free plan

    A flexible app builder for teams that need internal web and native mobile tools.

    Visit RetoolFull verdict →

More comparisons

All app generation comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update