Adobe ColdFusion vs Retool comparison

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Adobe ColdFusion

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

Adobe ColdFusion and Retool are app development products. ColdFusion excels in efficient data integration and support, while Retool stands out for its intuitive experience and advanced features, making it a preferred choice for feature-rich applications.

Features: Adobe ColdFusion offers rapid development capabilities with built-in tools ideal for robust backend operations, seamless enterprise-grade integrations, and comprehensive tool suites. Retool simplifies custom application creation with its strong focus on visualization, flexibility, and integration with various data sources, supported by customizability and simplicity.

Room for Improvement: Adobe ColdFusion could enhance its modern development features, user interface design, and support for emerging web standards. Retool could expand its on-premises deployment options, enhance offline functionality, and improve customization for complex backend workflows.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Adobe ColdFusion offers versatile deployment options for both on-premises and cloud environments, supported by strong customer service. Retool provides a flexible cloud-based model focusing on ease of use, with excellent customer service prioritizing quick resolution and efficiency.

Pricing and ROI: Adobe ColdFusion has a lower initial setup cost with strong ROI for long-term projects, benefiting cost-sensitive organizations. Retool, with higher initial costs, justifies through reduced workload and rapid prototyping, offering substantial time and resource savings.

To learn more, read our detailed Adobe ColdFusion vs. Retool Report (Updated: September 2025).

Adobe ColdFusion vs. Retool

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Helped 869,566 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Adobe ColdFusion

Ranking in Rapid Application Development Software

29th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Low-Code Development Platforms (27th)

Retool

Ranking in Rapid Application Development Software

16th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Rapid Application Development Software category, the mindshare of Adobe ColdFusion is 0.7%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Retool is 0.9%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Rapid Application Development Software Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Retool	0.9%
Adobe ColdFusion	0.7%
Other	98.4%

Rapid Application Development Software

Featured Reviews

RakibulIslam

Sr. Software Engineer at Wipro Limited

An easy-to-setup tool that can be used to automate repetitive tasks

Currently, they have some legacy connectors with different tools, and they are creating native connectors. For example, AEM was only using HTTP or SMTP connections. However, now, AEM also has a native connector. In Adobe Workfront, if we use those connectors, we can push data through them. Previously there were no in-built connectors for Power BI and the dashboard. Now I see that connectors are there in Adobe ColdFusion though I have not used them yet. Previously when I was trying to create some data, it was very difficult to get real-time data from Workfront. I would like to say that it could be an area of improvement if it was possible to get real-time data, and we can create some connectors like the ones on Power BI or Tableau. Now we have the option with which we can schedule a time, like one or two hours, five times a day, allowing us to push the data with Power BI or an external tool. However, with real-time data, it's really difficult now. For ColdFusion, since I do not have that much expertise, I would say that whatever issue I face, I will resolve them. For that, I would like to get real-time data using the tool. Hence, I would like to get a real-time dashboard all the time.

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Anees Shoukat

Full Stack PHP/Python AWS Developer at Binary Port

Built-in features streamline data processing and integration

Retool provides built-in features with all processing happening within the platform, which is a significant advantage. The platform is easy to use without requiring the installation of different libraries. Various features are available through drag and drop and UI-based interactions. The tool allows data retrieval through queries and displays information directly. It offers data tools that grab information based on specified queries and draws everything on screen. If a table is needed, it efficiently lists down the table data. Data manipulation happens through queries. We simply specify the table and required query, and the results are displayed immediately. Permissions are required for access. When we grant access from AWS, Retool can access the data. Without proper permissions, access is restricted. We can provide view-only access in Retool while maintaining view, edit, and delete capabilities in the main system. This allows us to control access for sales personnel and external data viewing. The platform provides an extensive range of graphs and visualization options.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We save enormous amounts of time in development using this tool."

"Apart from providing a mature, reliable, consistent platform, Adobe also offers outstanding customer service and product support."

"This tool was very easy learn, yet powerful enough to manage many sites on a single instance."

"I find it to be the easiest server-side technology for website development. It easily integrates with virtually everything– from web APIs to NoSQL databases to RSS and XML services."

"No need to import libraries from outside the environment."

"The ability to write SQL queries was very helpful as we did not need to bother our DBAs in writing stored procedures for simple tasks."

"I would like to say that its best feature is its different kinds of connectors. We have lots of in-built connectors."

"My client has been able to improve productivity with the use of the tool. The solution has them develop several tools that addressed their specific needs. They have become more efficient and safe with the use of the product."

"Retool provides us with the opportunity to save time and be more efficient."

"There are several key aspects to Retool that make it stand out. Firstly, its extensive range of components makes integration straightforward. Secondly, its support for SQL and JavaScript allows for the implementation of complex logic, which is particularly beneficial for developers like yourself with experience in .NET development."

"We can create the dashboards quickly."

"Retool can be used with many applications as it is language independent; anyone can use it easily and create various visualizations regardless of their programming knowledge—this is the main reason I recommend it."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is connectivity with APIs and other databases."

"Retool's most valuable features are its drag-and-drop components and the ability to customize them extensively."

"The most valuable feature of Retool is the workflow because I can integrate multiple features, such as RESTful API, JavaScript API, or different databases on the same dashboard."

"Retool provides built-in features with all processing happening within the platform, which is a significant advantage."

More Retool pros

Cons

"Installation of the server software was formidable due the number of configurable options."

"Previously when I was trying to create some data, it was very difficult to get real-time data from Workfront."

"The solution needs to improve its adaption capability with a third-party company. I want to see more communities or open knowledge resources with the tool."

"There is not much third party authenticators in this solution"

"Need to be able to Be able to inject Python, Java, Groovy, or PHP code into a CFML page."

"ColdFusion’s third-party authentication is currently limited to just a couple of companies, like Google and Facebook, and a few third-party SAML authenticators. From my personal perspective, adding LinkedIn and Microsoft would greatly benefit me."

"The components are changed frequently, which is very irritating."

"Retool could enhance support, including efforts to establish support centers in Europe, which was lacking previously. However, the community is still in the growth phase, leading to potential delays in receiving responses to queries."

"One area for improvement in Retool is expanding its library support to include a broader range of third-party JavaScript libraries."

"AI tools, features, and machine learning capabilities should be added as they would be helpful in the future."

"The part where we can add some custom logic or custom plugins could be better."

"The solution lacks inbuilt customization to customize bar charts."

"AI tools, features, and machine learning capabilities should be added as they would be helpful in the future."

"There are restrictions on the front-end side."

More Retool cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"If you really want to save money, there is a free open source CFML engine (former Railo, now Lucee) out there."

"It is a very effective solution and worth the price."

"The tool's pricing is high but it's totally worth the investment."

"I don't know Retool's current pricing, but it cost around $12 per month earlier."

"For me, I'm in India right now, and we have Retool's subscription for one team member for $10 per month."

"The pricing is very expensive. It costs for each user, for automated users, open-end users, et cetera."

"For new users, evaluate the scale of their administrative needs as Retool provides excellent free services for smaller setups, but larger deployments might require transitioning to a paid plan."

"The tool is a little bit expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Government

17%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

16%

Comms Service Provider

14%

Outsourcing Company

10%

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Retool?

For new users, evaluate the scale of their administrative needs as Retool provides excellent free services for smaller setups, but larger deployments might require transitioning to a paid plan.

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What needs improvement with Retool?

The platform already provides many features, and additional features aren't necessary for medium-level usage. Only very high-level requirements might necessitate more features. AI tools, features, ...

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What is your primary use case for Retool?

In Retool, I have designed graphs and data tools to implement rules-based functionality. Instead of implementing these features in our platform, we created them through Retool because we only provi...

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Comparisons

Microsoft Azure App Service vs Adobe ColdFusion

Compared 31% of the time

Microsoft Power Apps vs Adobe ColdFusion

Compared 30% of the time

Studio Creatio vs Adobe ColdFusion

Compared 20% of the time

Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs Adobe ColdFusion

Compared 19% of the time

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Streamlit vs Retool

Compared 60% of the time

Pega Platform vs Retool

Compared 17% of the time

AWS App Studio vs Retool

Compared 13% of the time

ToolJet vs Retool

Compared 11% of the time

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Product Reports

Rapid Application Development Software

Download Adobe ColdFusion product report

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Overview

Adobe ColdFusion is a powerful server-side programming language for website and internal solution development. It is rapid application development (RAD) product that is easy to learn, well maintained, easily scalable in a clustered environment, stable, and can be integrated with various services.

The solution has helped organizations improve productivity and efficiency by developing tools that address specific needs and becoming safer using the product. Adobe ColdFusion is an excellent choice for organizations looking for a powerful and easy-to-use server-side programming language.

Adobe

Retool enables rapid construction of internal tools with minimal coding, streamlining workflows across HR, customer support, and compliance. Praised for its drag-and-drop interface, extensive component library, and SQL support, it boosts organizational efficiency by automating tasks and enhancing data management.

Sample Customers

Inspirus, Promisan, Webapper, Giva, Frontech Solutions Inc, Digicon, ITX Corp, Wall Street Magnate, SimulTV, ten24 Digital Solutions, Prospective Medical Data International Inc, Alcatel-Lucent

Information Not Available

Adobe ColdFusion vs. Retool