Retool

retool.com
No-Code/Low-Code
Weekend Project

Build internal software better, with AI

How to Replace Retool

Overview

Retool is a low-code platform that enables developers and teams to build internal software applications 10x faster using AI-powered generation, visual components, and connections to any database or API. It combines AI AppGen capabilities with traditional app building through drag-and-drop canvas, code editing, and workflow automation to create business-critical applications without extensive boilerplate code.

Features

51 features across 18 categories

AI(8)

Agent EvaluationsAIPremium

Evaluate and test agents to optimize performance and decision-making

Agent ObservabilityAIPremium

Monitor and track agent behavior to understand performance and efficiency

Agent TuningAIPremium

Control parameters like temperature and max iterations of a wide array of model choices

AgentsAIPremium

AI-powered digital workers that use LLMs to complete tasks, make decisions, and automate labor-intensive workflows

AI AppGenAI

Generate apps from natural language prompts that are schema-aware, contextually grounded, and fully editable

AI Prompting CreditsAI

100 monthly AI prompting credits per user on Free plan, unlimited on Team plan and above

Chat InterfaceAI

Go from prompt to production - describe what you want to build and Retool translates inputs into functional components and logic

Multiple LLM SupportAI

Support for multiple AI models with the ability to use customer-managed keys from different model providers

Also in: monday.com, Notion, Airtable

Access Control(1)

External User AccessPremium

Allow partners, clients, or vendors outside your organization to access apps with secure login portals or public access

Also in: Kubernetes Dashboard, Lacework, LastPass

Analytics(2)

Interactive Dashboards

Create business intelligence dashboards and admin panels for data visualization and analysis

Usage AnalyticsPremium

Monitor usage across all apps and users to understand consumption patterns

Also in: Hugging Face, Notion, Smartsheet

Application Features(1)

Portals and Embedded AppsPremium

Create secure login portals and embed authenticated apps into business software

Also in: Upstash

Application Type(2)

Mobile AppsPremium

Build native mobile apps and deploy on iOS, Android, or as a PWA with support for offline mode and push notifications

Web Apps

Build browser-based applications with unlimited web apps across all plans

Automation(6)

Custom Error Handling

Trigger custom error messages and set automatic retry policies in the event of a workflow failure

Schedule Trigger

Run your workflow on a set schedule

Webhook Trigger

Trigger event-based workflows with a webhook event or API call

Workflow Runs

Execute workflows with 500 runs/month on Free tier, 5,000 on Team and Business tiers, additional runs available for purchase

Workflow Steps

Unlimited workflow steps representing blocks on the canvas that transform, read from, or write to your data

Workflows

Build and run modern internal software with automated workflows triggered by schedules, webhooks, or custom events

Also in: monday.com, Notion, Airtable

Branding(2)

Custom BrandingPremium

Customize headers, sign-up and login pages, email invites, and more in app presentation mode

Full White-labelingPremium

Fully white-label apps and launch your own branded app to iOS and Android app stores

Also in: Lightspeed POS, Lessonly, Setmore

Configuration(1)

Environment Configuration VariablesPremium

Easily define and reference environment-specific values and secrets across Retool

Data(3)

Connection StringsPremium

Get external access to the PostgreSQL database via connection strings

Schema MigrationsPremium

Migrate schema changes between environments with isolated tables for each environment

SQL Query Builder

Build apps that read and write from data sources using SQL

Data Storage(2)

Database Capacity

Built-in PostgreSQL database with up to 5GB storage capacity on Free plan, unlimited on paid plans

File Storage

5GB of file storage capacity included in Free plan

Development(7)

Code Editor

Full customization in code - write, edit, and debug directly in the IDE and insert custom code anywhere

Custom React ComponentsPremium

Create and use custom React components in your Retool applications

Modules

Reuse groups of components and queries between Retool applications

Platform APIsPremium

Programmatically manage your Retool projects with full access to all API scopes

Query Library

Build, share, and reuse queries for any database or API with Retool's IDE

Source ControlPremium

Use branch-based editing processes that are compatible with Git for version control

Staging Resource EnvironmentPremium

Test your app against a staging resource before switching to production

Integration(2)

Analytics IntegrationPremium

Send analytics data to Segment, Google Analytics, and other analytics trackers

Multi-database Integration

Connect to every source your business relies on - databases, APIs, vector stores, and LLMs

Mobile(2)

Offline ModePremium

Read and write data even when not connected to the internet on mobile apps

Push NotificationsPremium

Get built-in support for writing, customizing, and subscribing mobile users to push notifications

Monitoring(1)

Error MonitoringPremium

Error monitoring and observability for Enterprise deployments

Security(7)

Agent Access ControlAIPremium

Restrict agent and tool access with robust RBAC controls

Audit LoggingPremium

Track every query run against your databases and APIs, as well as user actions taken in Retool

Biometric AuthenticationPremium

Protect access to apps using on-device facial or fingerprint recognition

Custom SSOPremium

Integrate with Okta, Active Directory, or any other SAML or OpenID SSO provider

Orchestrated GovernancePremium

Trigger custom logic in response to events in Retool, like org invitations or password reset requests

Resource Environment PermissionsPremium

Restrict and manage user access to dev/staging/prod environments

Rich Permission ControlsPremium

Grant data-level and role-based permissions for granular control over app and data access

Team Management(1)

Flexible WorkspacesPremium

Set up independent Workspaces for teams to manage their own apps, permissions, resources, connections, and Git repos

UI Building(2)

App ThemesPremium

Keep apps consistent with visual themes across applications

Canvas Builder

Drag, drop, and shape complex UIs with real components, experiment with flow, and see structure as you build

Version Control(1)

App Release VersionsPremium

Create and manage releases for your app and revert to any previous state in its history

Pricing

Free

Free
  • Unlimited web & mobile apps
  • 500 workflow runs/month
  • 5GB of database capacity
  • 5GB of file storage
  • Up to 5 users
  • Up to 20 hours/month of Agents
  • 100 monthly AI prompting credits per user

Team

$90/mo per builder, $9/mo per internal user
  • Everything in Free, plus...
  • 5,000 workflow runs/month
  • Staging resource environment
  • App release versions
  • More than 5 users
  • Additional Agent hours available
  • Unlimited AI prompting credits for a limited time

Business

$90/mo per builder, $15/mo per internal user
  • Everything in Team, plus...
  • Audit logging
  • Rich permission controls
  • Portals and embedded apps
  • Unlimited resource environments
  • Unlimited modules
  • Access to external user pricing

Enterprise

Custom
  • Everything in Business, plus...
  • SAML / OpenID Connect SSO
  • Source control
  • Error monitoring and observability
  • Full white-labeling
  • Independent workspaces
  • Platform APIs and workflow triggers
  • Volume-based discounts
  • Dedicated support

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Retool

Monthly$90/mo
Yearly$1.1k/yr
5-Year Total$5.4k

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~4 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 YearSave $840
SaaS
$1.1k
DIY
$240
3 YearsSave $2.5k
SaaS
$3.2k
DIY
$720
5 YearsSave $4.2k
SaaS
$5.4k
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 51 features at very easy complexity.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a Retool alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 51 features.

Buy Retool

Better Value
Monthly cost$900/mo
3-year total$32,400
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$24,000
Maintenance$360/mo
3-year total$36,960
Dev time~2 months

Buying Retool saves ~$4,560 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 51 features and a BuildScore of 5/5. Actual costs vary.

Integrations

7 known integrations

Active DirectoryGitGoogle AnalyticsOktaOpenID ConnectSAMLSegment