UI Bakery vs Retool vs Superblocks: Which is Better in 2025?

Choosing between UI Bakery, Retool, and Superblocks depends on your team's needs for flexibility, governance, and developer control. 

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UI Bakery is easy to get started with, but less customizable for advanced use cases. Retool stands out for its integration breadth and templates, though pricing and lock-in can be drawbacks. Superblocks takes an AI-native, enterprise-grade approach with full-code extensibility and built-in governance for teams that need more control.

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In this article, we’ll cover: 

• A brief overview of UI Bakery vs Retool vs Superblocks
• A detailed feature breakdown across UI, integrations, automation, deployment, and more
• Guidance on how to choose the right platform based on your team’s needs

Let's start with a quick comparison.

UI Bakery vs Retool vs Superblocks: Quick overview

Before we go into details, let’s start with a quick side-by-side comparison of UI Bakery, Retool, and Superblocks:

A brief background on UI Bakery, Retool & Superblocks

Before we get into the comparisons, here’s a quick background of what each platform is all about:

UI Bakery

UI Bakery is a low-code platform designed to help teams quickly build internal tools with a clean UI and solid data connectivity. It leans into visual app development, letting users drag-and-drop components, connect to APIs or databases, and write a bit of JavaScript for custom logic.

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The learning curve is gentle. While it doesn’t offer deep custom component integration out of the box, it’s fast, intuitive, and gets the job done for most CRUD-heavy apps.

Retool

Retool is one of the most widely used internal tool builders. It offers a polished drag-and-drop editor, a huge library of prebuilt components, and out-of-the-box integrations that help teams move quickly.

Superblocks

Superblocks is an AI-native enterprise app development platform for building internal software quickly. It provides a multimodal approach to building that includes a visual editor, a code mode using React, and Clark, an AI agent that helps you build apps using natural language. 

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Everything is wrapped in a centralized governance layer that plugs into your SSO, RBAC, and audit systems. Superblocks also gives you control over where and how your apps run, with an open-source agent for secure in-network data access. 

Feature-by-feature comparison

Now that we know the basics of each platform, let’s compare them feature by feature:

UI builder & UX

• UI Bakery

UI Bakery offers 70+ built-in UI components (tables, forms, charts, etc.) for designing interfaces. There is a theme editor for basic styling and a responsive layout mode, so you can adjust the design for different screen sizes (e.g., mobile view) if needed.

• Retool

Retool’s UI builder has 100+ components to choose from, from simple buttons to complex tables with pagination, filtering, and inline editing. It also lets you customize the logic behind each component using JavaScript, which is super handy if you like working close to the metal.

• Superblocks

Superblocks offers a UI building experience that starts with AI and scales to full-code customization. You can describe the UI you want in natural language, and Clark will instantly scaffold the interface, connect data sources, and structure the layout. It’s a fast way to go from idea to working prototype, regardless of technical skill.

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From there, the Visual Editor gives teams a drag-and-drop interface to refine the UI. It includes 100+ enterprise-grade components — forms, tables, charts, maps, and more. Developers can then drop into full code mode via the Enterprise React framework. This makes Superblocks a uniquely flexible option for teams that want both visual simplicity and complete customization.

Backend integration & logic

• UI Bakery

UI Bakery supports integration with a variety of databases and APIs. It offers 30+ native integrations out of the box. You can define queries visually or write them manually, and bind results to UI components. It supports JavaScript for data transformation, conditional logic, and triggering actions in response to user interactions. More advanced workflows can be built using “Actions,” which are multi-step logic blocks with built-in error handling and branching.

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Server-side execution is limited. Everything runs in the browser unless you explicitly build Automations (UI Bakery’s backend workflow feature).

• Retool

Retool is often praised for its integration breadth. It can connect to nearly anything with a REST or GraphQL API, and also provides a growing library of native integrations for common services. If there isn’t a pre-built connector, you can use REST/GraphQL or even run SQL queries directly via a generic database connector.

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JavaScript is used throughout Retool for data transformation and logic control. It can be embedded directly in component properties, used to conditionally display UI, or to handle events.

• Superblocks

Superblocks supports integration with over 50+ native integrations spanning SQL & NoSQL databases, data warehouses, cloud storage, SaaS APIs (Salesforce, etc.), and even AI services (LLMs). 

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For logic, Superblocks allows users to build multi-step actions that combine SQL, JavaScript, Python, and REST calls. Each step in a flow can transform data, call APIs, or trigger other parts of the app. Depending on the configuration, backend logic can be run either in the cloud or on the on-prem agent.

Hosting & deployment

• UI Bakery

You can use UI Bakery as a cloud service (hosted by UI Bakery) or deploy it on your own infrastructure (they offer a self-hosted version). 

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There’s no built-in staging environment or branching support, so larger teams may need to manage testing and promotion processes manually. Apps are served as single-page web apps. UI Bakery doesn’t support edge caching or mobile app deployment natively.

• Retool

The cloud version is fully managed and is the default for most new users. For enterprises, Retool offers a self-hosted edition with Docker and Kubernetes support.

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Retool provides basic Git integration for app versioning on higher-tier plans by enabling the export/import of app JSON configurations. It also allows multiple environments (e.g., dev, staging, prod).

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Mobile apps in Retool can be deployed as actual mobile applications. There’s no built-in CDN layer for global distribution.

• Superblocks

Superblocks is fully managed with options to connect to your data securely via the on-prem agent. The agent is highly customizable since it’s open source, and it essentially acts as a bridge between Superblocks (UI and logic definitions in the cloud) and your protected resources.  

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Apps are deployed with a one-click process and distributed via Superblocks’ global edge network, which helps reduce latency for geographically distributed teams. Every deployment generates a preview environment, and the platform supports Git-based version control with branching, commits, and pull request workflows. 

Open source

• UI Bakery

UI Bakery is a proprietary platform. Its source code is not open to the public, and you cannot get the full source of the UI Bakery builder or runtime. 

• Retool

Retool is also fully closed-source. The builder, runtime, and infrastructure are proprietary, and the core platform cannot be accessed or modified. Apps built in Retool are stored as JSON configuration and can be versioned or exported, but there is no code export that allows running the app outside the Retool environment.

• Superblocks

While the platform itself is not fully open-source, the On-premise Agent is open-source and available on GitHub. Additionally, Superblocks offers code export for applications. That means if your team builds an internal app in Superblocks and later wants to own and host the code independently, you can export it as a standard React project with backend logic included.

Security & governance

• UI Bakery

UI Bakery covers most of the core security features needed for internal tools. It supports Single Sign-On (SSO) with providers like Google, Azure AD, and Okta, along with role-based access control (RBAC) and audit logs. Self-hosting gives teams full control over infrastructure and data locality, which can help meet regulatory or compliance requirements.

• Retool

Retool supports SSO integration, two-factor authentication (2FA), granular permissions, and audit logs of user activity. It also supports SCIM provisioning for automatically managing users via your identity provider and environment-based permissions.

Most of these features are not available on the lower-tier plans. For example, access control (user roles) is only available from the Team plan upward.

• Superblocks

Superblocks provides centralized governance that includes SSO/SCIM integration, RBAC with custom roles, and audit logging. Permissions can be applied at multiple levels: per app, per environment, and down to specific data actions or workflows.

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All audit logs can be streamed to your SIEM or analytics tools for monitoring. Security-sensitive teams can also use the open-source on-premise agent, which ensures that all database and API calls happen inside the organization’s network.

Automation & jobs

• UI Bakery

UI Bakery’s Automations let teams create backend workflows that run independently of the UI. These can be triggered manually, on a schedule (cron-style), or via webhooks. Each automation can include multiple steps, such as database queries, API calls, and custom JavaScript execution.

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Logic inside automations runs server-side (as opposed to typical app logic, which runs in the browser), giving you more control over execution timing and security. 

• Retool

Retool’s Workflows support scheduled tasks, API-triggered jobs, and multi-step flows that include branching, loops, and conditional logic. Each step in a workflow can run SQL, make HTTP requests, or execute JavaScript. These workflows are executed server-side, separate from the main UI.

• Superblocks

Superblocks includes Workflows and Scheduled Jobs as a first-class part of the platform. These are designed for building backend tasks that can run on demand, on a schedule, or via event-driven triggers. Workflows can contain steps written in SQL, Python, JavaScript, or REST calls, allowing for flexible orchestration of internal processes. Jobs are executed on the Superblocks platform or via the on-premise agent to give teams control over where sensitive data is processed.

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Read more: Low-code Automation: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide for 2025

Pricing & scalability

• UI Bakery

UI Bakery’s pricing is per user or developer per month. The Free plan allows up to 5 users, with unlimited apps and up to 1,000 scheduled jobs, webhooks, or server executions per month.

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Paid plans start at $5/month per user and $10/month per developer and add support for more users and user roles. Uniquely, UI Bakery offers an unlimited seats option, which allows unlimited end-users for a fixed price of $250/month for unlimited users and $40/month per developer. The Enterprise plan is required for features like Git version control, custom SSO, and dedicated support.

• Retool

Retool’s pricing is also per user and split into two roles: “Standard” (builder) users and “End” users (available on higher plans). The Free plan supports up to 5 users, includes unlimited web and mobile apps, and caps workflows at 500 per month.

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On the Team plan (the first paid tier), builders are priced at $10/month per builder and end-users at $5/month per user (billed annually). The Business plan moves up to $50/month per builder and $15/month per end-user, with added features like audit logs, custom roles, and environment management. 

• Superblocks

Superblocks’ pricing uses a similar model, with pricing per Creator (developer) and End-user. It has a Free plan for up to 5 users, which includes unlimited apps, workflows, and scheduled jobs.

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Paid plans start at $49 per creator/month and $15 per end-user/month. This includes features like user roles, audit logs, and reusable modules. Compared to UI Bakery, Superblocks includes more enterprise-grade features in its base plan.

Customization & developer experience

• UI Bakery

Developers can write custom JavaScript for data transformations, input validation, or conditional logic. They can also define reusable functions in shared JS files or import external JS libraries to extend functionality further. 

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Custom components run in an isolated iframe, which can make it tricky to have them talk to the rest of your app. UI Bakery does support Git integration for version control and safer collaboration between developers.

• Retool

Retool allows JavaScript almost everywhere and lets developers embed custom HTML, CSS, or JS where needed. Apps can be modularized using reusable components, and teams can build custom React components via its newer component APIs.

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Retool also supports Git-based version control (Business plan and up) and offers development workflows with multiple environments. 

• Superblocks

One huge plus for developers is that the app is essentially a React application under the hood. You can edit the underlying React codebase if you need to extend functionality beyond what the visual builder allows. 

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Developers can also integrate with Git for version control, branching, and pull request workflows. Changes are tracked and deployable through a structured CI/CD-like process.

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To reduce the time spent on building, Clark AI can generate initial app drafts then you can fine-tune. Even for developers, this offers a productivity boost by automating the boilerplate.

UI Bakery Reviews: What people are saying

It helps to hear from real users. Based on reputable sources like G2 and Capterra, here are the pros and cons that users frequently mention for UI Bakery:

Pros

What users love about UI Bakery:

• Easy and intuitive UI building: Users love the drag-and-drop interface and how quickly they can prototype and build interfaces.
• Complete set of widgets: It comes with a comprehensive library of components to cover most needs.
• Self-hosting and installation: Many highlight the ease of self-hosting. UI Bakery can be installed on your own server with minimal fuss.

Cons

Where users see room for improvement:

• Limited customization in some areas: The custom component iframe issue is a con for those who need it. If you require a deeply interactive custom module, UI Bakery’s approach could be limiting
• Documentation gaps: A user pointed out that documentation can be a bit thin on edge cases – for example, on self-host config topics
• Learning curve for advanced features: While basics are easy, a few users noted there is a bit of a learning curve to master all features

Retool Reviews: What people are saying

Retool has a large user base and lots of buzz. Based on user feedback on G2 and Capterra, here are the common highs and lows:

Pros

What users love about Retool:

• Rapid development speed: Users repeatedly mention how quickly they can go from idea to working app in Retool.
• Extensive integrations: Retool can connect to just about anything. Users love the wide selection of integrations and the ease of hooking up databases, APIs, and other services.
• Community and maturity: Retool has a large community. There are plenty of tutorials, forum Q&As, and community-built plugins/modules.

Cons

Where users see room for improvement:

• Cost at scale: The pricing is a sticking point for some teams. While free for small teams, as you grow, costs ramp up on a per-user basis.
• Customization limits (UI & UX): Although Retool covers most internal use cases, a few users desire more UX customization. Tweaking the layout beyond certain grid-based constraints requires workarounds.
• Lock-in concerns: Apps are stored as configuration within the Retool ecosystem, so migrating off the platform would require rebuilding your tools elsewhere.

Superblocks Reviews: What people are saying

Finally, here’s what we found from Superblocks’ user reviews on G2 and TrustRadius:

Pros

What users love about Superblocks:

• All in on tooling platform: Users of Superblocks frequently note that it lets their teams consolidate and eliminate scattered scripts or tools. This speaks to the platform’s ability to handle a wide variety of use cases (internal apps, scripts, workflows) in one place.
• AI Assistance (Clark): Users find that being able to generate most of the app through an AI conversation is a massive boost in productivity
• Enterprise-ready features: Superblocks has all the security/governance features built into it (SSO, RBAC, audit logs, on-prem agent). 
• Open architecture (No lock-in): A significant pro is openness, which allows users to export code or run the open-source agent.
• Performance & scaling (Edge deploy): The global deployment and modern stack mean apps perform well for distributed teams. There’s less worry about latency for international users, thanks to the CDN edge caching.

Cons

Where users see room for improvement:

• No fully on-prem deployment option yet: While Superblocks offers a hybrid model with its open-source on-premise agent, the full platform (including the builder and runtime) cannot yet be deployed entirely on-prem.

UI Bakery vs Retool vs Superblocks: How to choose

Choose UI Bakery if:

• You’re a small to mid-sized team looking for an affordable, easy-to-use internal tool builder with just enough flexibility to add custom code when needed.
• Your team needs to self-host without DevOps overhead. UI Bakery’s one-click Docker deployment is one of the simplest options available.

Consider UI Bakery alternatives if you want a more code-forward builder.

Choose Retool if:

• You need to build internal tools quickly and connect to a wide variety of databases, APIs, and third-party services.
• You want access to a mature, widely adopted platform with strong documentation and community support.

Consider Retool competitors if you want a more open builder or are on a budget.

Choose Superblocks if:

• You’re an enterprise or fast-growing company that needs maximum flexibility, full-code extensibility, and tight alignment with your existing software development lifecycle.
• Data security and compliance are non-negotiable, and you want a platform that’s easy to govern without fully self-hosting it.
• You want to enable both developers and semi-technical users by combining AI scaffolding, visual building, and real code.
• Vendor lock-in is a concern, and you want the ability to export your full app as working code.

Consider Superblocks alternatives if you want a fully on-prem builder.

Try Superblocks for free

All three platforms simplify the internal tool development. But if you're looking for a future-proof, AI-augmented platform that offers enterprise-level governance and nearly limitless extensibility, Superblocks offers the most complete package. It’s the best choice when you want to build internal software the right way with security, code quality, and scalability from the start.

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We address these needs with a complete suite of features:

• Multiple ways to build: Scaffold apps with AI, then refine visually, or in raw code.
• Full-code extensibility: Build with JavaScript, Python, SQL, and React, connect to Git, and deploy with your existing CI/CD pipeline. 
• Integration with your existing systems: This works with your existing stack, including databases, SaaS tools, warehouses, and any system with an API.‍
• Built-in integrations with popular AI models: Integrate OpenAI, Anthropic, and others to power AI workflows and assistants.‍
• Centralized governance: Enforce RBAC, authentication, and security policies from a single control plane.‍
• Standardized UI components: Build consistent apps using reusable elements aligned with your design system.‍
• Full portability: Export your app as raw React code and run it independently.‍
• Centralized audit logs: Every edit, run, and update is tracked in centralized logs for compliance and oversight.‍
• Fits into existing SDLCs & DevOps pipelines: Supports automated testing, CI/CD integration, version control (Git), and staged deployments so you can manage changes.‍
• Incredibly simple observability: Receive metrics, traces, and logs from all your internal tools directly in Datadog, New Relic, Splunk, or any other observability platform.

If you’d like to see how these features can help your business stay flexible and in control, explore our Quickstart Guide, or better yet, try it for free.

Frequently asked questions 

What’s the biggest difference between Retool and UI Bakery?

Retool offers broader integration support and more flexibility with JavaScript throughout the app, making it a strong choice for developer-heavy teams. UI Bakery, on the other hand, prioritizes simplicity and lower cost, with a cleaner UI and faster onboarding for smaller teams that want just enough customization.

Is Retool open source?

No, Retool is a closed-source platform. While it allows some customization and offers self-hosted deployment, the underlying codebase is proprietary.

Which platform is better for internal tools: UI Bakery or Retool?

UI Bakery is better suited for small to mid-sized teams that need fast, simple dashboards. Retool is more powerful for complex apps that need to integrate with a wide range of data sources and APIs

Which tool is easier for non-developers to use?

UI Bakery has a clean, intuitive interface that makes it approachable for non-developers, especially for basic dashboards and CRUD apps. That said, Superblocks is becoming increasingly accessible thanks to the new AI features. With Clark, users can describe what they want in plain language, like “create a dashboard with a revenue chart and customer table, and generate a working app scaffold instantly.” 

Which platform scales better for enterprise teams?

Retool and Superblocks are both built with enterprise features in mind — RBAC, SSO, audit logging, and version control. Superblocks has an edge in governance flexibility, hybrid deployment, and long-term portability thanks to its open-source agent and full code export.

Can I self-host Appsmith or Retool?

Yes. Both Appsmith and Retool offer self-hosted deployment options using Docker or Kubernetes.

Which platform supports backend automation and job scheduling?

Retool, UI Bakery, and Superblocks all support backend automation. Retool has Workflows, UI Bakery offers Automations, and Superblocks includes Workflows & Scheduled Jobs. Superblocks stands out by supporting multi-language logic (SQL, Python, JS).