New Relic vs Retool: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
New Relic positions itself as "all-in-one observability with generous free tier" while Retool goes after "low-code platform for building internal tools" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. They take different commercial approaches — New Relic uses a usage-based-based model and Retool a freemium approach, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. New Relic (founded 2008) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while Retool (2017) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| New Relic | Retool | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 80/100 | 80/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | All-in-one observability with generous free tier | Low-code platform for building internal tools |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | New Relic | Retool |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure monitoring | Yes | No |
| APM/tracing | Yes | No |
| Log management | Yes | No |
| Synthetic monitoring | Yes | No |
| Dashboards | Yes | No |
| Drag-and-drop builder | No | Yes |
| Database connections | No | Yes |
| API integrations | No | Yes |
| JavaScript logic | No | Yes |
| Pre-built components | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing New Relic means going without Drag-and-drop builder, Database connections, API integrations (which Retool offers). Choosing Retool means losing Infrastructure monitoring, APM/tracing, Log management. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Retool (501-1,000 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. New Relic (1,000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose New Relic if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose Retool if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is New Relic or Retool better?
New Relic scores 80/100 compared to Retool's 80/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — New Relic excels at ease of use (8/10) while Retool scores 8/10.
How much does New Relic cost compared to Retool?
New Relic starts at free (free tier available). Retool starts at free (free tier available). New Relic is the more affordable option.
Does New Relic or Retool have a free plan?
Yes, both New Relic and Retool offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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