Lovable
Retool
| Feature | Lovable | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $20/mo | Free / from $10/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | non-technical-founders, mvp-builders, solopreneurs, product-managers | engineering-teams, operations, data-teams, startups, enterprise |
| Founded | 2023 | 2017 |
| Full Stack Apps | ✓ | ✗ |
| Supabase Backend | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auth | ✓ | ✗ |
| Github Sync | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom Domains | ✓ | ✗ |
| Responsive Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api Integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drag Drop Ui | ✗ | ✓ |
| Database Connectors | ✗ | ✓ |
| Workflows | ✗ | ✓ |
| Self Hosting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rbac | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Lovable Pros
- Full-stack apps with auth and database
- Supabase integration built-in
- GitHub sync for version control
- Beautiful default UI with shadcn
✗ Lovable Cons
- No free tier available
- Can struggle with complex business logic
- Limited customization for advanced developers
✓ Retool Pros
- Fastest way to build internal tools
- Connects to any database or API
- Self-hostable for security
- Pre-built components save hours
✗ Retool Cons
- Only for internal tools — not customer-facing
- Can get expensive for large teams
- Learning curve for complex queries
The Verdict
Lovable is built for non technical founders and mvp builders, with a focus on full-stack-apps and supabase-backend. Retool targets engineering teams and operations and leads with drag-drop-ui and database-connectors.
On pricing, Retool is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $10/mo compared to $20/mo for Lovable. That $10/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Retool has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Lovable requires a paid subscription from day one.
Bottom line: Retool has a slight overall edge — but if full-stack apps with auth and database matters most to you, Lovable may still be the right call.