Imagine a development environment where building internal tools takes hours instead of weeks, where developers and business teams collaborate seamlessly, and where deployment happens with just a few clicks. That's the promise that drew many to Retool—a powerful internal tools platform that revolutionized how companies build custom applications.
But like any tool, Retool has its limitations. The very flexibility that makes Retool powerful can lead to maintenance challenges. The learning curve for non-technical users remains steep. And as organizations scale, the per-seat pricing model starts to strain budgets significantly.
Whether you’re a Retool enthusiast seeking additional flexibility or a newcomer looking for the best fit, this guide will introduce you to the top Retool alternatives in 2024. We'll explore platforms that offer similar functionality to Retool without the complexity, solutions that prioritize ease of use, and alternatives that won't break the bank.
What are some limitations of Retool?
While Retool has earned its place as a leader in the internal tools space, it's not without its drawbacks. Here are some of the key limitations that drive users to seek alternatives:
1. Pricing
Retool’s per-user pricing model can quickly become a financial burden for growing teams. While the platform is undoubtedly powerful, it may not provide the most cost-effective solution for startups or businesses with tight budgets.
The Business plan starts at $50 per user per month, billed annually, and Enterprise plans can cost significantly more. These costs scale linearly with team size, regardless of actual usage, which can lead to higher-than-expected expenses.
2. Steep learning curve for non-developers
Although Retool is low-code, many users still need some technical knowledge to fully leverage its capabilities. For non-developers, this can be a barrier, especially as the interface can be challenging for non-technical team members to navigate effectively.
Retool’s development-centric approach often limits participation from business users, who may find it difficult to make even simple changes. In addition, routine updates or modifications frequently require developer intervention, creating bottlenecks for tasks that could otherwise be managed by non-technical users.
3. Performance issues at scale
Retool excels at straightforward projects, but teams managing highly complex workflows or large datasets might experience performance issues or find its UI limiting. Teams working at scale may notice several challenges:
- Data-heavy applications often experience slower load times, impacting usability.
- Handling large datasets can strain the platform and lead to performance bottlenecks.
- Many operations rely on resource-intensive client-side processing, which can affect responsiveness.
- The platform offers limited optimization options for managing complex queries or intricate data interactions.
4. Complex setup and maintenance
While Retool provides extensive customization options, this flexibility can lead to complications during setup and ongoing maintenance. Teams looking for simpler, out-of-the-box solutions may find Retool overwhelming.
Retool’s advanced features frequently require significant JavaScript knowledge, creating barriers for non-technical contributors. Citizen developers may struggle to contribute effectively, reducing the potential for collaboration across teams.
The extensive customization options can also create a heavy maintenance burden, particularly when dealing with frequent updates or scaling requirements.
5. Limited collaborative features
Retool offers only basic collaboration tools compared to modern development and project management platforms, which can hinder teamwork and productivity.
The platform provides limited options for review and approval processes, complicating quality assurance for complex applications. For example, version control is relatively basic and lacks the sophistication of modern dev tools like Git.
Retool lacks real-time collaboration tools, such as simultaneous editing or live updates, making it harder for teams to work together efficiently. As such, implementing multi-developer workflows in Retool can be challenging, especially for larger teams needing seamless coordination.
What makes the best Retool alternative?
When Retool doesn't fully meet your team's needs, it's time to look for an alternative. The best Retool alternative should serve as not just a replacement, but an upgrade to your internal tools development process.
To identify the best Retool alternatives, we considered the following criteria:
- Ease of Use: User-friendly low-code or no-code platforms that minimize the need for technical expertise.
- Integrations: Ability to connect seamlessly with databases, APIs, and third-party apps.
- Scalability: Tools with the infrastructure to grow with your team’s needs.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Transparent pricing that fits varying budgets, preferably value-driven vs. seat-based.
- Customization: Flexible solutions that allow for tailored development workflows.
- Performance: Smooth operation even with large datasets or intricate processes.
- Support: Responsive technical support with comprehensive documentation, an active under community, and regular platform updates.
6 Top Retool alternatives to choose from in 2025
Before we dive into the details of each alternative, let's take a look at a comparison table that highlights the key features and differences between Retool and its top alternatives:
Now, let's explore each of these alternatives in detail:
1. Softr
Softr is a no-code platform that simplifies the creation of internal tools, customer portals, and web apps. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and integration with Airtable and Google Sheets make it a favorite among non-technical users and small-to-medium teams.
Key features:
- No-code builder with intuitive, drag-and-drop interface
- Ready-to-use building blocks for common functionalities
- Built-in user authentication and management
- Native Airtable and Google Sheets integration
- Custom domains and white-labeling
- Responsive design out-of-the-box
- Powerful access control and permissions
Pros:
- Extremely quick setup and deployment
- No technical expertise required
- Budget-friendly, predictable flat-fee pricing
- Strong community support
Cons:
- Less flexibility than code-based solutions for highly complex workflows
- Limited advanced customization options
- Fewer database integration options than Retool
Pricing:
Softr’s pricing plans are simple, with tiers to fit all budgets and team needs.
- Free Plan: 1 published app, 10 app users, 2 user groups.
- Basic: $49/month (3 apps, 20 users, Kanban + Payment views, embed externally).
- Professional: $139/month (Unlimited apps, 100 users, 5 user groups, white labelling, advanced features like e-signature, conditional forms, charts, calendars, comments).
- Business: $269/month (Unlimited apps, 2500 users, unlimited user groups, SSO, etc.).
- Enterprise: Custom pricing (SAML SSO, dedicated success manager, team training)
2. Appsmith
Appsmith is an open-source, low-code platform ideal for developers building internal tools. With its strong API and database integrations, it provides flexibility for creating self-hosted solutions with highly customizable workflows.
It's ideal for teams that need control over their development environment while maintaining ease of use.
Key features:
- 40+ pre-built widgets for creating custom dashboards and tools
- Integrations with Git, REST APIs, GraphQL, and database connectors
- AI-powered apps connected to any LLM
- Customizable automation workflows
- Custom JS code support
- Access control and audit logs
Pros:
- Open-source with active community
- Self-hosting option available
- Free to use with paid options for advanced features
- Extensive customization capabilities
- Regular feature updates
Cons:
- Setup complexity for self-hosted version
- Requires technical knowledge for full functionality
- UI can require a learning curve for non-technical users
- Cloud version has fewer enterprise features
Pricing:
Appsmith employs usage-based pricing at a rate of $0.40 per hour of usage.
- Free: For individual developers and small teams (unlimited users)
- Business Cloud: $40 per 100 hours of usage (granular access controls, workflows, custom branding, versioning, audit logs, priority support, etc.)
- Enterprise: From $2,500/month for 100 users (Managed cloud hosting, enterprise SSO, multiple/custom environments, custom integrations, etc.)
3. ToolJet
ToolJet is an open-source platform that combines low-code simplicity with developer-oriented features. Its customizable widgets and broad integration support make it ideal for building internal dashboards and tools.
Key features:
- Visual drag-and-drop application builder with pre-built and custom widgets
- 40+ built-in components
- Integrations with a wide range of APIs and databases
- Real-time collaborative editing and comments
- Custom theming with responsive design
- Multi-page applications
- Version control
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Active open-source community support
- Competitive pricing
- Support extensive customization
Cons:
- Fewer components than Retool
- Less intuitive than other low-code platforms
- Limited documentation for advanced use cases
- Smaller ecosystem
Pricing:
ToolJet offers different pricing options depending on whether customers choose cloud hosting or self-hosting.
- Basic: (Cloud or self-hosted available) Free for unlimited applications with 5 tables and 10k rows on ToolJet DB
- Business: (Cloud or self-hosted) $24/builder/month + $8/end user/month (unlimited ToolJet tables and rows, multi-environments, Git sync, white labelling, granular access control)
- Flexible: (Self-hosted) $99/month per application + $0/month per user (extra features incur additional costs)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
4. Budibase
Budibase is a no-code/low-code platform that focuses on automation and quick deployment of internal tools. It’s especially well-suited for small teams or startups looking to streamline workflows without technical expertise.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop GUI with pre-built components for common internal tools
- Self-hosting and cloud hosting options
- Workflow builder for multi-step automations triggered by user actions or external events
- External data connectors to over 30 data sources
- Reusable code snippets
- Role-based access control
Pros:
- Modern intuitive UI
- Easy set-up
- Affordable hosted plans
- Flexible deployment options
- Open-source with strong community
Cons:
- Limited scalability for large teams
- Lacks advanced customization features
- Limited third-party integrations
Pricing:
- Free: $0 for unlimited apps, data sources, and automations, with user limits.
- Premium: $50 per app creator/month + $5/app user/month (No user limit, white labelling, reusable code snippets, backups, and email support)
- Enterprise: Greater security, control and support at custom pricing with volume discounts (includes audit logs, user groups, white-glove support, etc.)
5. DronaHQ
DronaHQ is a low-code platform built for teams looking to create mobile and web-based internal tools. It excels at bridging the gap between technical customization and non-technical usability.
Key features:
- Pre-built UI components for responsive web and mobile apps
- Visual development environment with drag-and-drop interface
- Extensive template library
- Workflow automation and logic builder
- Integration with APIs, databases, and third-party services
Pros:
- Little technical knowledge required to create apps
- Suitable for small-scale and large-scale applications
- Excellent for mobile-friendly internal apps.
- Wide range of integration options
- Rich documentation and live support options
Cons:
- Learning curve for highly complex app features
- Pricing can become steep for advanced use cases
Pricing:
DronaHQ has flexible pricing, allowing customers to choose the pricing model that gives them the best ROI. Options include user-based, usage-based, or developer only licenses, with additional options for cloud-hosted or self-hosted environments.
User-based pricing:
- Starter: $10/user/month (only available in cloud-hosted option: unlimited web and mobile apps, version release and history, connect apps to any database or API, with reusable queries)
- Business: $25/user/month (App catalogs, themes, data environments, custom domain and white labelling, etc.)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing (Custom data connectors, granular permissions, audit logs, offline access for mobile apps, premium support, etc.)
Usage-based pricing:
- Starter: $100/month for 25,000 tasks or $250/month for 50,000 tasks
- Business: $500/month for 125,000 tasks or $1000/month for 250,000 tasks on cloud-hosted plans; $1500/month for 300,000 tasks for self-hosted plans
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
6. UIBakery
UIBakery UI Bakery offers a no-code/low-code platform that focuses on building sleek, highly customizable internal tools. Ideal for teams that prioritize visual quality and rapid development, it’s known for its modern interface and ability to handle complex designs.
Key features:
- Visual, drag-and-drop builder with extensive customization options
- Integrations with REST APIs and GraphQL
- Responsive components for both web and mobile apps
- Dynamic theming
- Version control
- Real-time collaboration
- Role-based access
Pros:
- Excellent user interface
- Strong focus on design and customization
- Mix of no-code and low-code for technical and non-technical users
- Rich support and community resources
Cons:
- Limited integration options
- Pricing can be high for teams
- Can have a steeper learning curve for non-technical users
Pricing:
UI Bakery employs user-based pricing; prices listed are annual plans and are applicable to either cloud or self-hosted licenses.
- Free: $0 per user and developer for up to 5 users (Unlimited apps, pages, client actions, data sources, 1000 scheduled actions per month)
- Standard: $5/month/user + $10/month/developer (User roles, app and data source environments, release history, chat and email support)
- Business: $10/month/user + $40/month/developer (Public apps, custom themes, custom user roles, audit logs)
- Business Unlimited: $250/month + $40/month/developer (Unlimited seats, public apps, custom themes, audit logs)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing (Git version-control, custom SSO, embedded apps, white-labelling, dedicated support)
What's the right Retool alternative for you?
Choosing the right alternative to Retool depends on your team’s unique needs, technical expertise, and budget constraints. By understanding what each platform excels at, you can select the tool that best aligns with your goals and processes.
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide which platform might be the best fit:
Choose Softr if:
- You need a no-code platform with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
- Your team values simplicity and minimal setup time.
- You want an affordable, predictable pricing model.
Choose Appsmith if:
- Your team has developers who can leverage its open-source flexibility.
- You need strong API and database integration capabilities.
- You’re looking for a highly customizable solution.
Choose Tooljet if:
- You need a balance of simplicity and power.
- Real-time collaboration and multi-user permissions are essential.
- You want an active open-source community.
- You prefer a gentler learning curve.
Choose Budibase if:
- Your team values automation and workflow efficiency.
- You need a budget-friendly tool for small-to-medium teams.
Choose DronaHQ if:
- You need to build mobile-friendly internal tools or cross-platform apps.
- Your team requires robust workflow automation.
Choose UIBakery if:
- You need sleek, highly customizable internal tools with a modern UI.
- Your team values a balance of no-code and low-code flexibility.
- Design customization is a top priority.
Softr stands out for teams looking to build powerful internal tools without the complexity and cost associated with Retool. With its intuitive interface, extensive feature set, and predictable pricing, Softr offers a compelling solution for organizations of all sizes. Whether you're building an internal dashboard, customer portal, or data-driven application, Softr provides the tools you need to get up and running quickly.
Ready to experience the difference? Try Softr for free today and see how quickly you can transform your internal tools development process.
Frequently asked questions about Retool
What is the best Retool alternative for your business?
It all depends on what you’re looking to achieve, the nature of your team and the sort of internal tool you are developing.
Whether you’re a developer that wants to use a no-code platform to bypass the heavy-lifting of hard-coding your internal tools yourself, or a solopreneur with no technical skills that doesn't want to hire a developer just yet, there’s a solution out there for you.
Using the list above, you’ll be able to pick the best solution for your needs. We recommend you give Softr a try.
How to start building internal tools without code?
The easiest way to get started is to start building internal tools using Softr. Using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you’ll be able to turn your Airtable and Google Sheets data into web apps easily, without technical knowledge.
Where to find free internal tools templates?
Head to Softr’s internal tools page to find a range of internal tools templates: sales CRM portal, employee directory, editorial calendar, event planner, etc. If you want more, head to our dedicated template page to find templates ranging from Client Portals to Internal Tools, Marketplaces, Online Communities, Resource Directories, Websites, or Dashboards.
What is Softr
Softr is the easiest way to turn your data into powerful business apps—no code required. Connect to your spreadsheet or database, customize layout and logic, and share with your team or clients.
Join 700,000+ users worldwide, building client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, project management systems, inventory management apps, and more—all without code.
Join 700,000+ users worldwide, building client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, project management systems, inventory management apps, and more—all without code.
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Thierry Maout
Thierry is a content marketer based in France. He has extensive experience writing about B2B SaaS, automation, and user onboarding. Originally from France, he has lived and worked in Ireland, the US, Germany, the UK and Canada as well as collaborated with companies from all over the world including UserGuiding, Make (formerly Integromat), and others. Thierry has a Bachelor's degree in International Affairs from Le Havre University (France) as well as a Master's degree in Law, Economics, and Management from the Institute of Evolutionary Science of Montpellier (France). Passionate about education and the no-code movement, Thierry has been featured in publications such as UX Collective and The Startup on Medium. A frequent Softr collaborator (freelance-based), he’s also a former startup co-founder and has, among others, co-founded and managed growth at Fairwai.
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