Side by side
RetroTool vs SmartRetro
Both stand on retrospective software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Web
RetroTool brings discussion, voting and action tracking into a web-based retrospective tool. The free plan covers basic facilitation, while additional privacy and facilitator controls require paid plans.
Visit RetroTool Free plan Web
Choose SmartRetro if your team wants a structured retrospective process that carries action items into the next cycle and tracks recurring themes. Look at paid plans if the Free plan's team, retro, action-item, or retention limits do not fit; account separately for model-provider costs when using AI features.
Visit SmartRetroThe facts
| RetroTool | SmartRetro | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Web | Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Individual: $10 per team a month | Team: $49 a month |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | retrotool.io | smartretro.ai |
| On retrospective software | #22 of 31 | #26 of 31 |
RetroTool: what it does well
- Offers three retrospective templates.
- Supports private drafting and public cards.
- Includes dot and secret voting.
- Action points can have owners and due dates.
What to know first
- Free plan stores data for up to 12 months.
- Private invite-only retrospectives are paid-plan features.
- Company costs $20 a month per team.
SmartRetro: what it does well
- Structured formats include Start / Stop / Continue and Glad / Sad / Mad.
- Cards can be grouped and voted on.
- Action items have owners and statuses; unfinished work resurfaces.
- Repeated themes are detected across retrospectives.
- Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, according to SmartRetro.
What to know first
- The Free plan is limited to three retros per month and three members.
- Free plan data retention is 30 days.
- AI clustering and summaries require a customer-provided LLM key.
- Model-provider charges are paid separately.
Alternatives to RetroTool Alternatives to SmartRetro The whole list