Make vs Retool — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Make and Retool to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Make takes the lead with a 4.5 rating and is best for users who need more complex automation logic than zapier offers at a more affordable price.. Retool (4.3) is the better pick if you need engineering teams building internal admin panels, dashboards, and operational tools..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Make | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.5(312) | ★★★★ 4.3(178) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starter Price | $10.59/mo (Core, 10K ops) | $10/user/mo (Team) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web | web |
| Learning Curve | medium | medium |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Users who need more complex automation logic than Zapier offers at a more affordable price. | Engineering teams building internal admin panels, dashboards, and operational tools. |
| Verdict | recommended | recommended |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Make | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| Visual flowchart workflow builder | — | |
| Routers and conditional logic | — | |
| Iterators and aggregators | — | |
| Error handling | — | |
| 1,500+ app integrations | — | |
| Webhooks and HTTP modules | — | |
| Drag-and-drop UI builder | — | |
| Connect to any database or API | — | |
| SQL and JavaScript queries | — | |
| 100+ UI components | — | |
| Role-based permissions | — | |
| Mobile-responsive layouts | — |
Make
Pros
- ✓More powerful than Zapier for complex automation logic
- ✓Visual flowchart builder makes complex workflows understandable
- ✓More affordable than Zapier for high-volume, complex automations
Cons
- ✕Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- ✕Fewer app integrations than Zapier (1,500+ vs 6,000+)
- ✕Operation counting can be confusing initially
Retool
Pros
- ✓Dramatically faster than building internal tools from scratch
- ✓Connects to any database or API natively
- ✓Free tier for 5 users is enough for small teams
Cons
- ✕Not for customer-facing applications
- ✕Requires some technical knowledge (SQL/JavaScript)
- ✕Per-user pricing gets expensive for large teams
The Bottom Line
Both Make and Retool are solid tools in the No-Code & Automation space. Make edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and is the better choice for users who need more complex automation logic than zapier offers at a more affordable price.. However, if you prioritize engineering teams building internal admin panels, dashboards, and operational tools., Retool is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.