Retool is “Internal Tool Builder”
RapidNative is “AI Mobile App Builder”
Retool is the gold standard for internal web tools.
But when you need a real mobile app in the App Store — not just a tool inside Retool's container — you need a different approach. RapidNative builds native iOS and Android apps from plain English. No JavaScript. No SQL. Just your idea.
Retool Excels at:
Internal admin panels- Business dashboards
- Data management tools
- Workflow automation
- Back-office applications
RapidNative Excels at:
Consumer-facing mobile apps- Branded iOS and Android apps
- App Store distribution
- Customer-facing experiences
- Standalone mobile products
Retool Mobile has limitations.
Retool's mobile offering is a secondary feature, not the core product. Here's what reviewers and users report:
From Bold Tech (Retool experts)
"Retool also offers a mobile app builder, but its functionality is much more limited than the web app builder. The mobile interface can handle simple tasks, such as uploading receipts or filling out basic forms, but advanced features are often unavailable or poorly implemented in the mobile environment."
App Store review
"The app is very slow and sometimes login is very difficult. Have been struggling to log in since 5 days now."
App Store review
"Bugs that destroy our reputation in front of customers and employees. The most recent bug runs queries over 25 times. We have automated emails being sent out over 20 times!"
The pattern
Retool Mobile is a secondary feature added to a web-first platform. The mobile experience doesn't match the quality of their core web product.
The bigger issue
Retool Mobile apps run inside Retool's container app. Your users must download "Retool Mobile" from the App Store, then access your app inside it. It's not your own branded app.
Container App vs.
Your Own App
App Store presence
Retool Mobile
Users download "Retool Mobile"
RapidNative
Users download YOUR app
Branding
Retool Mobile
Retool's app icon, your content inside
RapidNative
Your icon, your name, your brand
User experience
Retool Mobile
Log into Retool, then find your app
RapidNative
Open your app directly
Discovery
Retool Mobile
Cannot be found by searching your name
RapidNative
Searchable in App Store / Google Play
Credibility
Retool Mobile
Looks like a tool, not a product
RapidNative
Looks like a real product
White label
Retool Mobile
Limited
RapidNative
Full control
If you're building for customers, partners, or the public, you need your own app.
Technical Requirements
JavaScript required
Retool
Yes
RapidNative
No
SQL required
Retool
Yes (for full potential)
RapidNative
No
Technical background
Retool
Developer-level
RapidNative
None required
Learning curve
Retool
Hours to days
RapidNative
Minutes
How you build
Retool
Drag-and-drop + code
RapidNative
Plain English prompts
Retool's own documentation says:
"Basic knowledge of JavaScript and SQL will allow you to unlock Retool's full potential."
RapidNative:
Describe your app in plain English. The AI writes the code.
Feature Comparison
Primary focus
Retool
Internal tools (web)
RapidNative
Mobile apps
Mobile support
Retool
Secondary feature
RapidNative
Core product
AI generation
Retool
Assist feature (limited)
RapidNative
Full prompt-to-app
App distribution
Retool
Container app
RapidNative
Your own App Store listing
Code export
Retool
No (proprietary)
RapidNative
Yes (React Native + Expo)
Code ownership
Retool
Locked in platform
RapidNative
100% yours
Database connections
Retool
70+ native connectors
RapidNative
Via Supabase, APIs
Offline mode
Retool
Yes (mobile)
RapidNative
Yes (Expo capabilities)
Barcode scanning
Retool
Yes
RapidNative
Yes (via Expo)
Push notifications
Retool
Yes
RapidNative
Yes
Custom UI
Retool
Limited (grid-based)
RapidNative
Full control
Code Ownership & Use Cases
With Retool
Your apps live inside Retool's platform- No code export
- If you leave Retool, you rebuild from scratch
- Vendor lock-in
With RapidNative
- Export complete React Native + Expo code
- Run it anywhere
- Any developer can modify it
- No lock-in
Retool Sweet Spot
- Warehouse inventory dashboard (internal)
- Customer support admin panel
- Order management system (for your ops team)
- Employee attendance tracker
- Data entry forms for field workers
RapidNative Sweet Spot
- Consumer mobile app (fitness, social, productivity)
- Customer-facing booking app
- Mobile app startup MVP
- Branded companion app for your product
- Field service app (distributed as your own app)
This matters. If your business depends on the app, you should own the code.
Pricing Comparison
Free
Retool
$0 (up to 5 users)
RapidNative
$0 (5 daily credits)
Starter / Team
Retool
$10/user/month
RapidNative
$20/month (flat)
Pro / Business
Retool
$50/user/month
RapidNative
$49/month (flat)
Enterprise
Retool
Custom
RapidNative
Custom
Pricing model
Retool
Per user (scales with team)
RapidNative
Per generation (flat fee)
Retool charges per user — costs grow as your team grows. RapidNative charges for generation, not users. Once you export your code, unlimited users at no extra cost.
When to Use Each
Quick Summary
Best for
Retool
Internal tools, admin panels
RapidNative
Mobile apps, consumer products
Mobile approach
Retool
Secondary feature, container app
RapidNative
Primary focus, your own app
Technical skill
Retool
JavaScript + SQL required
RapidNative
Plain English prompts
Code ownership
Retool
No export
RapidNative
Full export
Pricing model
Retool
Per user
RapidNative
Per generation
App Store presence
Retool
Your app inside "Retool Mobile"
RapidNative
Your own branded app
Retool for internal tools. RapidNative for mobile apps.
Common Questions
Not exactly. Retool is for internal tools with heavy database integration. RapidNative is for building standalone mobile apps. They serve different purposes, though there's some overlap in field/mobile apps.
Ready to build a real mobile app?
Not a tool inside someone else's container. Your app. Your brand. Your App Store listing.
147,000+ prompts received. No credit card required.