Retool

What is Retool?

Features of Retool

• Drag-and-Drop Builder: Build internal tools using a variety of pre-built components like tables, charts, and forms.

• Integration Library: Connect to different databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB) and APIs (REST, GraphQL) for data handling.

• Custom Code: Enhance functionality with JavaScript for more advanced customizations.

• Mobile Apps: Create native iOS and Android apps using drag-and-drop components.

• External Apps: Embed Retool applications in external business apps with flexible authentication and access controls.

• Managed Database: Use Retool’s managed Postgres database for persistent data storage.

• AI Integration: Built-in AI features to connect to external AI models and a managed vector database for unstructured text.

• Self-Hosting: Option to self-host Retool using Docker or Kubernetes.

Pros of Retool

• Easy Frontend Building: The drag-and-drop editor makes frontend development a breeze for data engineers and semi-technical users.

• Extensive Integration Library: Easily connect to a wide range of databases and APIs.

• Granular Access Control: Use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to decide who can access your tools.

• Version Control: Keep everything organized by syncing with Git and managing app versions effortlessly.

• Automation: Simplify your business processes with automated workflows.

• Ready-to-Use Templates: Quickly get started with various templates and reusable UI components.

• Free Forever Plan: Enjoy exploring with limited features at no cost.

Cons of Retool

• Pricing Policy: The pricing model, which depends on the number of end-users, can get expensive.

• Code Dependency: It relies a lot on code for even simple data transformations and logic.

• Limited Frontend Experience: It's not the best choice for building full, responsive frontend web apps.

• Single-Screen Web Apps: It only supports single-screen web apps, so you'll need multiple one-page applications for navigation.

• No Multi-Page Apps: It has limited capabilities for creating multi-page apps.

• Integration Gaps: It doesn't connect to platforms like Zapier.

• Compliance Issues: It's not compliant with HIPAA and GDPR.

• Public App Sharing: The free plan doesn't allow public app sharing; you need to pay for each app viewer.

• Automation Interface: There's no separate interface for setting up automation.

• Custom SSO: This feature is only available in the enterprise plan.

Alternatives to Retool

• Appsmith: An open-source low-code platform that makes it easy for developers to create custom internal tools.

• Budibase: Includes a built-in database and supports various SQL and NoSQL databases, ideal for small teams with a free plan.

• UI Bakery: Features an easy-to-use drag-and-drop UI builder and automation tools, emphasizing design flexibility.

• Superblocks: A strong choice for medium and large organizations, providing a programmable IDE for developers.

Retool is for you if

• You're a developer or part of an IT team looking to quickly create custom internal tools.

• You have a good grasp of SQL and JavaScript to make the most of Retool.

• You need to connect to different databases and APIs for data handling.

Retool might not be the best fit if

• You don't have a technical background or coding skills.

• You need to build full, responsive frontend web apps.

• You need a platform that complies with HIPAA and GDPR standards.

Retool FAQs

How does Retool integrate with databases?

Can I use Retool without coding knowledge?

Does Retool support mobile app development?

Is Retool secure for enterprise use?

What makes Retool unique compared to other low-code platforms?