Quick Comparison
| Feature | NextRetro | Miro |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (Free Plan) | Free forever | Free for 3 boards |
| Purpose-Built for Retros | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (general whiteboard) |
| Real-time Voting | ✅ Included | ⚠️ Via plugins/workarounds |
| Anonymous Cards | ✅ Native support | ❌ Not available |
| Phase Management | ✅ Built-in workflow | ❌ Manual |
| Export to Jira | ✅ Direct export | ⚠️ Limited |
| Setup Time | < 30 seconds | 5-10 minutes |
| No Signup for Participants | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Learning Curve | Low | Medium-High |
| Best For | Sprint retrospectives | General collaboration |
Overview
When it comes to running sprint retrospectives, teams often debate between NextRetro (a purpose-built retrospective tool) and Miro (a versatile digital whiteboard). While both enable team collaboration, they serve different primary purposes.
NextRetro is specifically designed for agile retrospectives with built-in voting, phase management, and facilitator controls. Miro is a general-purpose whiteboard tool that can be adapted for retrospectives but requires more setup and manual workflow management.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
1. Real-Time Collaboration
NextRetro:
- Every card, vote, and comment syncs instantly
- Optimized for 5-50 participants
- Low latency, built for team ceremonies
- No refresh needed
Miro:
- Real-time cursor tracking and edits
- Handles larger groups (100+)
- More general collaboration features (sticky notes, drawings, frameworks)
- Can feel overwhelming for simple retros
Winner: Tie - both excel at real-time collaboration, but for different use cases.
2. Voting System
NextRetro:
- Built-in dot voting with customizable vote limits
- Anonymous voting option
- Hide/reveal votes for facilitator control
- Vote counts displayed clearly per card
- Export votes with results
Miro:
- Requires third-party plugins or manual dot stickers
- No native voting system
- Manual tallying needed
- No anonymous voting
- Workarounds involve screenshots or external tools
Winner: NextRetro - purpose-built voting is significantly faster and more reliable.
3. Privacy & Anonymous Mode
NextRetro:
- Full anonymous mode (hide author names)
- Facilitator can toggle anonymity
- Anonymous voting option
- Privacy-first design for psychological safety
Miro:
- All edits show user names/cursors
- No native anonymous mode
- Requires workarounds (guest accounts)
- Less suitable for sensitive feedback
Winner: NextRetro - critical for honest retrospective feedback.
4. Phase & Workflow Management
NextRetro:
- Built-in phases: Collect → Group → Vote → Discuss
- Facilitator locks (prevent editing during phases)
- Phase timers included
- Guided workflow for consistent retros
Miro:
- No phase management
- Manual facilitation required
- No built-in timers (use external)
- Flexible but requires discipline
Winner: NextRetro - structured workflow keeps teams on track.
5. Templates
NextRetro:
- 17+ retrospective-specific templates
- Start Stop Continue, 4Ls, Sailboat, Mad Sad Glad, etc.
- Pre-configured columns and prompts
- Templates include facilitation guides
Miro:
- 1,000+ templates (many non-retro)
- Several retro templates available
- Highly customizable
- Community-created templates
Winner: Miro for variety, NextRetro for retro-specific quality.
6. Export & Integrations
NextRetro:
- Export to PDF (formatted for action items)
- Export to Markdown
- Direct Jira integration (coming soon)
- Confluence export
- Simple, focused exports
Miro:
- Export as PDF, Image, CSV
- Jira, Confluence, Slack integrations
- Microsoft Teams integration
- 100+ app integrations
- More complex export options
Winner: Miro - more integration options, but NextRetro exports are cleaner for retros.
7. Ease of Use & Learning Curve
NextRetro:
- Minimal UI, focused on retros
- 30-second setup (no account needed for participants)
- Intuitive for first-time users
- No training required
Miro:
- Powerful but complex interface
- Requires account for all participants
- Steeper learning curve
- May overwhelm teams just wanting simple retros
Winner: NextRetro - drastically faster to get started.
8. Pricing
NextRetro:
- Free Plan: Unlimited boards, participants, voting, export
- Pro Plan: $20/month (coming soon) - workspaces, custom templates, integrations
- No credit card required for free tier
- No participant limits
Miro:
- Free Plan: Up to 3 editable boards, unlimited viewers
- Starter: $8/user/month (billed annually)
- Business: $16/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- Costs scale with team size
Winner: NextRetro - free plan is more generous for dedicated retro use.
Pricing Breakdown
NextRetro Total Cost
| Team Size | NextRetro Free | NextRetro Pro (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 people | $0/month | $20/month (unlimited users) |
| 10 people | $0/month | $20/month (unlimited users) |
| 25 people | $0/month | $20/month (unlimited users) |
Miro Total Cost
| Team Size | Miro Free | Miro Starter | Miro Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 people | $0 (3 boards only) | $40/month | $80/month |
| 10 people | $0 (3 boards only) | $80/month | $160/month |
| 25 people | $0 (3 boards only) | $200/month | $400/month |
Annual billing prices shown (monthly billing is 20-30% more expensive for Miro)
Pros & Cons
NextRetro Pros ✅
- Purpose-built for retrospectives
- No signup required for participants
- Built-in voting and anonymous mode
- Free plan with no limits
- Fast setup (< 30 seconds)
- Facilitator controls for structured retros
- Clean exports focused on action items
NextRetro Cons ❌
- Limited to retrospectives (not a general whiteboard)
- Fewer integration options (for now)
- Smaller template library than Miro
- No advanced drawing/diagramming tools
- Newer product (smaller community)
Miro Pros ✅
- Versatile for many use cases beyond retros
- Massive template library
- Extensive integrations (Jira, Slack, Teams, etc.)
- Advanced collaboration features
- Large community and resources
- Infinite canvas for complex sessions
- Video/audio chat built-in
Miro Cons ❌
- Requires account for all participants
- No native voting system for retros
- No anonymous mode
- Steeper learning curve
- More expensive for dedicated retro use
- Overwhelming UI for simple ceremonies
- Manual workflow management
Use Case Recommendations
Choose NextRetro if:
- ✅ You primarily run sprint retrospectives
- ✅ You want participants to join without signing up
- ✅ You need anonymous feedback for psychological safety
- ✅ You want built-in voting and phase management
- ✅ Your team values simplicity and speed
- ✅ You want a free tool with no board limits
- ✅ You need structured facilitation tools
Choose Miro if:
- ✅ You need a multi-purpose collaboration tool
- ✅ You run workshops beyond retrospectives
- ✅ You require extensive integrations
- ✅ Your team already uses Miro for other work
- ✅ You need advanced drawing/diagramming
- ✅ You value infinite canvas flexibility
- ✅ You have budget for paid collaboration tools
Can You Use Both?
Many teams use NextRetro for focused retrospectives and Miro for broader workshops and brainstorming. This gives you:
- Best-in-class retro experience with NextRetro's voting and workflow
- General whiteboard flexibility with Miro for other ceremonies
- Cost optimization by keeping Miro usage for non-retro work
Migration: Switching from Miro to NextRetro
If you're considering switching from Miro to NextRetro for retrospectives:
Step 1: Export your Miro retro board as PDF/CSV
Step 2: Create a NextRetro board with a matching template
Step 3: Manually transfer past action items (one-time effort)
Step 4: Use NextRetro for all future retros
Estimated migration time: 15-30 minutes per historical board
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NextRetro faster than Miro for retrospectives?
Yes. NextRetro's purpose-built design means you can create a board and start a retro in under 30 seconds. Miro requires more setup time (creating frames, adding voting mechanisms, setting up columns).
Can I use NextRetro offline?
NextRetro requires an internet connection for real-time collaboration. Miro also requires connectivity for real-time features.
Which tool has better mobile support?
Both work on mobile browsers. Miro has dedicated mobile apps. NextRetro is mobile-responsive but optimized for desktop facilitation.
Can I import my Miro retro boards into NextRetro?
Not directly (yet). You'll need to manually recreate boards, but the process is fast with NextRetro's templates.
Does NextRetro have video chat like Miro?
No. NextRetro focuses on the retro board itself. Most teams use Zoom, Meet, or Teams for video and NextRetro for the board.
Final Verdict
For dedicated sprint retrospectives: NextRetro wins on speed, simplicity, voting, and cost.
For multi-purpose collaboration: Miro wins on flexibility, integrations, and versatility.
Bottom line: If retrospectives are your primary use case and you value a streamlined experience, NextRetro is the better choice. If you need one tool for everything (retros, brainstorming, design workshops, etc.), Miro's versatility justifies the complexity and cost.
Try NextRetro Free
Ready to run faster, more focused retrospectives? Create a free NextRetro board in under 30 seconds - no signup required for participants.
Last Updated: January 2026
Reading Time: 8 minutes
