Bolt.new Overview
Bolt.new is a robust cloud-based development platform designed for seamless integration across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developed by Bolt, it supports large language models (LLMs) like Claude 3 and legacy-v1, offering a vast context window of 200k tokens. With a focus on agentic editing, Bolt.new allows for multi-file editing, providing full terminal access. Despite not offering predictive edits, this tool is ideal for users seeking a comprehensive development environment. Privacy is maintained under a standard privacy policy, and it boasts SOC2 Type II certification for enterprise security. The platform offers a free tier with options for professional upgrades, and configuration is managed through the .boltrc file. Initial setup is required for migration.
Pros
- ✓ Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
- ✓ Full terminal access
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certified
- ✓ Multi-file agentic editing
Cons
- ✕ No predictive edits
- ✕ Requires setup for migration
Retool Overview
Retool is a versatile cloud-based platform that supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is developed by Retool and is compatible with advanced LLMs such as GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, and Llama 3. Offering a context window of 200k tokens, Retool focuses on single-file agentic editing without terminal access. It stands out with its Zero Data Retention privacy mode, ensuring no user data is stored, and is SOC2 Type II certified. Retool offers a free tier along with premium plans up to $50 per month. Configuration is managed through the .retoolrc file, and setup is necessary for migration.
Pros
- ✓ Supports advanced LLMs like GPT-5 and Claude 4.5
- ✓ Zero Data Retention privacy mode
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certified
- ✓ Free tier available
Cons
- ✕ No terminal access
- ✕ Single-file agentic editing
Comparison Table
| Feature | Bolt.new | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | cloud | cloud |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Bolt | Retool |
| Supported Llms | Claude 3, legacy-v1 | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Llama 3 |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Single-file only |
| Terminal Access | Full | No |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free/Pro | Free – $50/mo |
| Config File | .boltrc | .retoolrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both Bolt.new and Retool offer strong cloud-based development environments with their unique strengths. Bolt.new excels in providing full terminal access and multi-file editing, making it ideal for more complex projects. Retool, on the other hand, offers advanced LLM support and a strong privacy mode with no data retention, catering to users prioritizing data security. The choice between the two depends on specific user needs regarding functionality and privacy.