Retool vs WaveMaker comparison

Retool and WaveMaker are both solutions in the Rapid Application Development Software category. Retool is ranked #19 with an average rating of 7.8, while WaveMaker is ranked #32. Retool holds a 1.4% mindshare in RADS, compared to WaveMaker’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Retool users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of WaveMaker users who would recommend it.

Retool

Read 12 Retool reviews

2,228 Views
1,381 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

WaveMaker

Read 4 WaveMaker reviews

1,617 Views
1,164 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Retool

WaveMaker

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

WaveMaker and Retool compete in the low-code application development market, with Retool having an edge due to its robust features and flexible integrations, especially for complex enterprise needs.

Features: WaveMaker provides rapid prototyping and an easy drag-and-drop interface, enabling fast app development. It supports simple integrations, making it ideal for quick, straightforward solutions. Retool offers customization and a wide array of pre-built components, which are essential for complex data integrations and custom scripts.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: WaveMaker allows straightforward deployment with options for cloud-based solutions and is known for personalized, responsive customer support. Retool offers both cloud and on-premise deployments, with extensive documentation and a strong community support network, which is beneficial for complex deployment scenarios.

Pricing and ROI: WaveMaker presents an appealing pricing model with lower upfront costs, focusing on cost efficiency and high ROI for those needing rapid solutions. Retool may have higher initial costs but provides a robust ROI through its capacity to manage complex scenarios and its adaptability for future growth potential.

To learn more, read our detailed Rapid Application Development Software Report (Updated: June 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Rapid Application Development Software

June 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Retool

Ranking in Rapid Application Development Software

19th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

AI Software Development (21st)

WaveMaker

Ranking in Rapid Application Development Software

32nd

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Low-Code Development Platforms (32nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2026, in the Rapid Application Development Software category, the mindshare of Retool is 1.4%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of WaveMaker is 1.4%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Rapid Application Development Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Retool	1.4%
WaveMaker	1.4%
Other	97.2%

Rapid Application Development Software

Featured Reviews

Yannick LE GAL

IT consultant for healthcare sector at Freelancer

Has provided a quick way to build mobile apps and could improve usability for non-technical users

The best features Retool offers include the ability to quickly create a mobile app and use this mobile app in a native mobile app for Android. I found the process of creating and deploying those mobile apps for Android with Retool to be smooth as the documentation is very good, and I found answers and examples to create a mobile app. I can access a debug mode in the mobile app which was really convenient to make tests and find what can be improved, where I have a problem, and how to correct it. Retool positively impacted my organization as the proof of concept we built gave us a way to convince power users and key users before developing the real software. It was a way to maintain the launch date of the project, which helped speed up the project timeline and save resources.

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it_user576294

Business Software Developer at a tech services company

This is a RAD tool to build business apps, tables, and forms.

It needs a desktop version for developers with license type CE. I would like to have the possibility to have a CE that lets me migrate from SQL Server Express, Access, and OpenOffice Base and keep all UI front-end development in just one system. In short, the 6.7 was good enough. The question is: Will there always be a desktop version CE that will let me work with, for example, five users for free, and then start to pay from user six, or in my case, three users? Right now, I do not see WaveMaker in this field, and there are others points to ask for from a desktop.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We can create the dashboards quickly."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is connectivity with APIs and other databases."

"Retool provides us with the opportunity to save time and be more efficient."

"The stability is okay."

"Retool provides built-in features with all processing happening within the platform, which is a significant advantage."

"There are several key aspects to Retool that make it stand out. Firstly, its extensive range of components makes integration straightforward. Secondly, its support for SQL and JavaScript allows for the implementation of complex logic, which is particularly beneficial for developers like yourself with experience in .NET development."

"The most valuable feature of Retool is the workflow because I can integrate multiple features, such as RESTful API, JavaScript API, or different databases on the same dashboard."

"Retool positively impacts our organization by saving costs compared to using other data repositories, and teams prefer Retool for daily tasks that perform customizations to showcase web pages or link their data backend, making it more efficient and cost-effective than other software available in the market."

More Retool pros

"It is a Rapid Application Development (RAD) tool to build business apps that lets you work with many diverse data stores and build tables and forms easily."

Cons

"One area for improvement in Retool is expanding its library support to include a broader range of third-party JavaScript libraries."

"Retool could enhance support, including efforts to establish support centers in Europe, which was lacking previously. However, the community is still in the growth phase, leading to potential delays in receiving responses to queries."

"AI tools, features, and machine learning capabilities should be added as they would be helpful in the future."

"In the mobile app development, you have to use JavaScript to interact with components, and for non-technical users, it's already too technical, so Retool has to add some integrated solutions."

"Retool should add more resource integration."

"The components are changed frequently, which is very irritating."

"Retool, being a low-code/no-code platform, could improve by allowing users, particularly non-technical users, to use it more easily."

"The UI of Retool could be improved, as I am not fond of the current design, and there should be a platform for learning how to use Retool efficiently, especially since our software team customizes it for their needs, leaving the operational team with limited knowledge on how to customize it."

More Retool cons

"It needs a desktop version for developers with license type CE."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I don't know Retool's current pricing, but it cost around $12 per month earlier."

"For new users, evaluate the scale of their administrative needs as Retool provides excellent free services for smaller setups, but larger deployments might require transitioning to a paid plan."

"The tool is a little bit expensive."

"The pricing is very expensive. It costs for each user, for automated users, open-end users, et cetera."

"For me, I'm in India right now, and we have Retool's subscription for one team member for $10 per month."

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

21%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Comms Service Provider

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	4

No data available

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Retool?

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Retool is that it is straightforward but somewhat pricey compared to other industry leaders such as Sentry and others. I feel it is an eigh...

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What needs improvement with Retool?

I do not have specifics on how Retool can be improved because we are using it for internal tool building only. Regarding needed improvements, perhaps Retool can focus on not building customer-facin...

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What is your primary use case for Retool?

We started using Retool last September, so it has been more than nine months now. Our main use case for Retool is an internal operations dashboard built in Retool for our AI agents. Whenever we shi...

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Retool

June 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Rapid Application Development Software

June 2026

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Also Known As

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Pramati

Overview

Retool enables rapid construction of internal tools with minimal coding, streamlining workflows across HR, customer support, and compliance. Praised for its drag-and-drop interface, extensive component library, and SQL support, it boosts organizational efficiency by automating tasks and enhancing data management.

Retool

WaveMaker is a platform designed to simplify app development by enabling rapid creation and deployment of scalable applications using a low-code environment.

WaveMaker stands out with its advanced capabilities tailored for developers aiming to speed up delivery timelines. It offers a robust environment that supports the full application lifecycle from prototyping to deployment. By leveraging its low-code capabilities, businesses can streamline development processes and reduce time-to-market. The platform integrates with numerous backend services, allowing seamless data management and collaboration among development teams, enhancing coding flexibility and innovation.

What are WaveMaker's most valuable features?

Low-Code Development: Facilitates quick application creation using visual interfaces.
Custom Code Generation: Offers flexibility to integrate custom code where necessary.
Third-Party Integration: Supports integration with a variety of backend services.
Responsive Design: Automatically adjusts layout for multiple device types.
Workflow Automation: Simplifies process automation to enhance productivity.

Which benefits should you consider when evaluating?

Increased Time Efficiency: Reduces development cycles with rapid prototyping capabilities.
Cost Reduction: Minimizes expenses related to traditional development methods.
Scalability: Supports growth by accommodating expanding app requirements.
Ease of Collaboration: Facilitates teamwork thanks to built-in tools and integrations.

WaveMaker is particularly beneficial in industries like banking and telecommunications, where rapid deployment and integration with existing systems is critical. Its ability to support scalable applications and automate workflows makes it a preferred choice for enterprises looking to modernize legacy systems while encouraging continuous innovation.

WaveMaker

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Vanenburg, Flanagan

Buyer's Guide

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June 2026

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