Retool

Retool is a low-code platform for building internal tools fast, connecting your databases and APIs to a rich set of prebuilt UI components.

Overview

Retool gives developers a visual builder for internal applications such as admin panels, dashboards, and operations tools. Instead of building CRUD interfaces from scratch, you drag in tables, forms, and charts, then wire them to queries against your databases, APIs, and third-party services. AI features can generate apps and workflows from prompts, and the platform now covers workflows, mobile, and AI apps in one environment. Fine-grained permissions and audit logging make it safe for enterprise teams.

Internal tools are often the most neglected code in a company, yet they run critical operations. Retool compresses the effort of building them by handling the UI layer with battle-tested components, leaving developers to write the queries and business logic that make each tool specific.

Its extensibility prevents the ceiling common to low-code tools: any component can run custom JavaScript, call arbitrary APIs, and interact with data sources directly. With workflows and AI apps now in the platform, teams consolidate internal tooling and automation in one place, with governance features that satisfy security reviews.

Setup is quick: connect a data source, drag in components, and the first working tool often lands within an afternoon. Permissions and auditing arrive as teams grow, so early prototypes can mature into supported internal products.

Key Features

• 100+ prebuilt components: tables, forms, charts, editors, and wizards
• Native connectors for Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB, REST, GraphQL, and SaaS tools
• JavaScript and Python anywhere, so nothing is boxed in by the visual layer
• Retool Workflows for scheduled jobs, alerts, and background automation
• AI app building with managed LLM access and embedding support
• SSO, granular permissions, audit logs, and self-hosted deployment

Pricing

Retool has a free plan for small teams and standard use. Paid plans are billed per user per month and add advanced permissions, audit logs, staging environments, and enterprise deployment options.

Who Is It For

Engineering teams at companies of all sizes that spend too much time building internal tooling. It is ideal for operations-heavy businesses that need many small admin tools quickly.

FAQ

Is Retool free to use?

Yes, a free plan covers up to five standard users; growing teams upgrade to paid per-user plans.

Does Retool offer an API?

Yes, Retool apps can call any REST or GraphQL API, and Retool exposes APIs for embedding apps and managing resources programmatically.

How does Retool compare to alternatives?

Retool is more developer-oriented than no-code builders and more polished out of the box than open-source Appsmith, with broader enterprise features at higher cost.