Introduction to Bubble
Bubble is a powerful cloud-based tool developed to streamline the application building process for users across Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports a variety of language models, including Claude Opus 4.5, OpenAI GPT-4o, GPT-5, and Hugging Face models, providing a robust environment for development. With a generous context window of 200k tokens, Bubble facilitates significant data processing capabilities. The tool is ideal for users who prefer single-file agentic editing, although it does not offer terminal access or predictive edits. Privacy is assured through a standard privacy policy, and enterprise users benefit from SOC2 Type II certification. Bubble offers a free tier, with pricing options up to $199 per month, making it accessible for both individual developers and enterprises.
Pros
- ✓ Supports a wide range of language models.
- ✓ Generous context window of 200k tokens.
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification.
- ✓ Free tier available.
Cons
- ✕ No terminal access.
- ✕ No predictive edits.
- ✕ Requires setup for migration.
Introduction to Retool
Retool is a versatile cloud-based development tool available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports advanced language models such as GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, and Llama 3, offering robust capabilities for developers. Similar to Bubble, Retool provides a context window of 200k tokens and supports single-file agentic editing. However, it distinguishes itself with a Zero Data Retention (ZDR) privacy mode, ensuring enhanced data security. Retool is SOC2 Type II certified and offers a free tier, with subscription options starting at $50 per month, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses looking for high security and flexibility.
Pros
- ✓ Zero Data Retention privacy mode.
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification.
- ✓ Supports advanced language models.
- ✓ Cost-effective pricing.
Cons
- ✕ No terminal access.
- ✕ No predictive edits.
- ✕ Requires setup for migration.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Bubble | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | cloud | cloud |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Bubble | Retool |
| Supported Llms | Claude Opus 4.5, OpenAI GPT-4o, GPT-5, Hugging Face models | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Llama 3 |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Single-file only | Single-file only |
| Terminal Access | No | No |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free – $199/mo | Free – $50/mo |
| Config File | .bubbleconfig | .retoolrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both Bubble and Retool offer comprehensive development platforms with strong support for language models and significant privacy credentials. While Bubble provides a broader range of supported models, Retool stands out with its Zero Data Retention policy and more affordable pricing. The choice between them should depend on specific needs, such as budget, privacy concerns, and model support.