Looking to choose between UI Bakery and Retool for building internal tools? This comprehensive comparison breaks down the key differences between these popular low-code platforms, focusing on data handling, dashboard creation, and ease of use.
Data Handling and Integration
Retool
Retool excels in data handling and integration, making it a strong choice for operating in-house data[1][4]. It offers:
- Powerful integration with external data sources, including APIs, databases, and cloud services
- Support for SQL/NoSQL databases and services like Firebase, MongoDB, and PostgreSQL
- Real-time data syncing between the UI and data sources
UI Bakery
While not as extensive as Retool, UI Bakery also provides solid data handling capabilities[1][2]:
- Connects UI to data sources and APIs for real-time syncing
- Supports integration with databases, cloud services, and APIs
- Offers custom JavaScript options for more complex data operations
For operating in-house data, Retool has a slight edge due to its more extensive integration options and powerful data-handling features.
Dashboard Creation and Data Visualization
Retool
Retool offers robust features for creating dashboards with charts[3][4]:
- Wide range of pre-built components, including various chart types
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy dashboard assembly
- Custom JavaScript support for advanced chart customization
UI Bakery
UI Bakery also provides strong capabilities for dashboard creation[1][2]:
- Modern and trendy UI design, which may be preferable for some users
- Drag-and-drop interface with a variety of components, including charts
- Custom React components for additional flexibility
Both platforms are capable of creating impressive dashboards with charts. UI Bakery may have a slight advantage in terms of visual appeal, while Retool offers more customization options through JavaScript.
User Experience and Learning Curve
Retool
- More suitable for users with some technical experience
- Offers greater customization options, especially with JavaScript knowledge
- May have a steeper learning curve for non-technical users[4]
UI Bakery
- Generally easier to use, especially for beginners
- Provides a good balance between ease of use and customization
- More accessible to non-technical users[2]
Real-World Experience with UI Bakery
Setting Up with Supabase Integration
UI Bakery is a great experience. I used Supabase as the underlying project and connected it to the PostgreSQL database created in Supabase, allowing me to perform admin visualization tasks. It took me two days to create a service and deploy it to the admin. I created CRUD operations for each service component in the admin and even added business metrics.
CRUD Operations and Admin Features
UI Bakery makes it easy to create, update, and delete rows and columns related to each table. This makes it easy to implement CRUD operations, which is a significant advantage for admin use cases. I believe this feature covers all the drawbacks.
Pricing and Limitations
UI Bakery has some limitations when it comes to using it for free. However, by upgrading to the pro mode, you gain more freedom to create your admin. You can create pages with public URLs and easily control user access for each screen. However, I had some reservations about this aspect. I questioned whether it was necessary to be locked into a paid plan to access these features. If the project becomes more complex or has specific requirements, it might be more beneficial to build a separate admin or utilize open-source admin solutions.
Data Visualization Capabilities
UI Bakery offers a range of components, but it may require additional effort to ensure visibility of metrics and dynamically create charts. To visualize the desired data, separate queries and integrations may be necessary. However, creating charts that fully meet specific needs, such as grouping by a single column in a stacked bar chart, may require customization using ECharts functionality. While achievable, this level of customization may cause some challenges when using UI Bakery.
Final Verdict
But overall, I am satisfied with the results. I was able to create a service and deploy it to the admin in two days. I created CRUD operations for each service component in the admin and even added business metrics. I accomplished all of this using Supabase and UI Bakery.