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Comparing Retool and Softr: Which Tool is Right for You?

Alex Hrymashevych Author by:
Alex Hrymashevych
Last update:
25 Jan 2026
Reading time:
~ 2 mins

Retool: An Overview

Retool is a cloud-based development platform designed to simplify the creation of internal tools. It supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for diverse development teams. Developed by Retool, it leverages advanced language models such as GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, and Llama 3, offering a robust 200k token context window. With zero data retention privacy mode and SOC2 Type II certification, Retool stands out for its security and compliance. Though it doesn’t support local inference or predictive edits, its agentic editing allows for single-file modifications. Retool offers a free tier and pricing that ranges up to $50 per month, with configuration managed through a .retoolrc file. However, migration requires setup, which may demand additional resources.

Pros

  • Supports advanced language models like GPT-5.
  • Zero data retention privacy mode.
  • SOC2 Type II certified.
  • Affordable pricing with a free tier.

Cons

  • No support for local inference.
  • Limited to single-file agentic editing.
  • Requires setup for migration.

Softr: A Comprehensive Tool

Softr offers a cloud-based platform tailored for building applications on top of data without coding. Supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux, it provides flexibility across various systems. Though it lacks support for language models, it features a 128k token context window. Softr adheres to a standard privacy policy and is SOC2 Type II certified, ensuring a secure environment for users. The platform facilitates single-file agentic editing and provides a free tier, with pricing extending up to $165 per month. Configuration is managed through a specific file, enhancing customization, but similar to Retool, migration necessitates setup, potentially increasing the initial time investment.

Pros

  • SOC2 Type II certified.
  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Free tier available.

Cons

  • No support for language models.
  • Requires setup for migration.
  • Standard privacy policy.

Comparison Table

Feature Retool Softr
Architecture Type cloud cloud
Supported Os Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Developer Retool Softr
Supported Llms GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Llama 3
Context Window 200k tokens 128k tokens
Agentic Editing Single-file only Single-file only
Terminal Access No No
Privacy Mode Zero Data Retention (ZDR) Standard Privacy Policy
Certifications SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) SOC2 Type II (Enterprise)
About Price Free – $50/mo Free – $165/mo
Config File .retoolrc Имя файла для промптинга (напр. .cursorrules).
Migration Requires setup Requires setup

Conclusion

Both Retool and Softr offer robust cloud-based solutions tailored for different needs. Retool excels with its support for advanced language models and enhanced privacy measures, while Softr provides a more straightforward, no-code platform for application building. Choosing between them depends on specific project requirements and budget considerations.