Both RETR and Polygon Research are browser-based platforms, but they are architected to solve entirely different business problems.
RETR focuses heavily on relationship intelligence and transactional list building. It is designed primarily for users who want to search for refinance leads, mine past transactions, or pull real estate agent and MLO production histories.
While useful for individual prospecting, RETR operates as a contact directory rather than an analytical engine. Because it relies heavily on non-permission-based agent/MLO contacts and borrower PII, organizations must often allocate significant resources to downstream compliance scrubbing (e.g., managing consent, privacy laws, and outreach rules) and data remediation. Analytically, it lacks strategic depth—it cannot differentiate between rate-and-term versus cash-out refinances, nor does it offer channel-level intelligence, fair lending tools, or peer benchmarking.
The pricing models of the two platforms reflect their different approaches to data access: Polygon offers unlimited analytical exploration, while RETR monetizes the extraction of contact lists.
RETR plans start at $182/month (billed annually) for individual users, but the platform relies heavily on a metered, credit-based system. Base users are restricted to a 300-credit monthly export cap, requiring additional purchases to scale usage. Furthermore, accessing loan officer contact data is walled off behind an additional $100/month "LO Recruit" add-on. Trials are also restricted by export limits, and enterprise evaluation processes can be complex.
Polygon Research operates on a transparent SaaS model designed for unmetered exploration. Public plans start at $120/month (Polygon Pulse) and $130/month (Polygon Vision), with straightforward annual or monthly billing. There are no restrictive contracts, no hidden add-ons, and no export credits—all plans include unlimited querying and data exports. Users receive immediate platform access via a free trial, ensuring that your investment scales with your organization's analytical needs, not your download volume.
"Polygon Research is the gold standard for HMDA data. Their tools are easy to use, their data updates are the fastest in the industry, and their team is exceptionally resourceful. If you need clarity and speed in mortgage data, this is the team to work with."
"When I need to quickly evaluate a specific loan segment, I use Polygon Pulse. MBS Pivot’s loan-level originations data across all three agencies makes it easy to scope analysis to precise ranges—such as loans under $125,000—without friction."
"The team at Polygon Research is outstanding. Their training helped me master data wrangling and analysis, giving me the confidence to 'meet the moment' as a mortgage analyst. Highly recommended for anyone looking to level up their data game."
"HMDAVision is our premier source for HMDA data. The platform is fast, accurate, and easy to use. It’s essential for tracking lender rankings and volumes, allowing us to quickly turn raw data into actionable insights for our clients."
"HMDAVision goes beyond compliance to offer a whole new perspective on your lending activity and market impact. It’s an essential tool for any serious lender looking to turn data into a powerful narrative for both fair lending and marketing."
