Best Retool Alternatives in 2026
Comprehensive Platform Comparison
Looking for Retool alternatives? This in-depth guide compares the top low-code platforms for building internal tools, analyzing pricing, features, security, and code ownership to help you make an informed decision.
What is Retool?
Understanding the platform before exploring alternatives
Platform Overview
Retool is a low-code development platform that enables businesses to rapidly create custom internal tools with minimal coding. Founded in 2017, it has become a leading solution for building admin panels, dashboards, and internal applications.
Drag-and-Drop Interface
Pre-built UI components like tables, forms, and charts for rapid development
Database Integration
Connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and 50+ data sources
Custom JavaScript
Write custom logic with JavaScript and SQL for complex workflows
Key Statistics
Important Considerations
- •Primarily designed for internal tools, not customer-facing apps
- •Pricing scales with user count, can become expensive for large teams
- •Limited mobile app capabilities (web-based interface, not native mobile)
The Low-Code Development Market in 2024
Global low-code market value in 2025, projected to reach $236.9B by 2035 (Future Market Insights)
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the low-code platform market through 2035
Of new applications will use low-code or no-code technologies by 2025 (Gartner)
Top Retool Alternatives
Detailed analysis of the leading platforms for building internal tools
Natively
AI-powered platform for building native mobile apps (iOS & Android)
Pricing
Best For
Teams building customer-facing mobile apps, startups needing App Store/Play Store deployment, and organizations wanting full code ownership with React Native
Key Differentiators
- •True native mobile apps
- •Supabase backend included
- •Built-in APK builder
- •Full source code export
Important Note:
Unlike Retool which focuses on web-based internal tools, Natively specializes in building native mobile applications for iOS and Android. If you need mobile apps that users download from app stores, Natively is the better choice.
Appsmith
Open-source low-code platform with 35,000+ GitHub stars
Pricing
Best For
Teams wanting full control with self-hosting, developers comfortable with open-source tools, and organizations requiring source code access
Key Differentiators
- •Large widget library
- •Granular permissions
- •Custom JavaScript everywhere
- •Docker deployment
Budibase
Open-source platform with auto-generated views and visual workflow builder
Pricing
Best For
Non-technical users needing rapid prototyping, teams wanting auto-generated CRUD interfaces, and organizations requiring workflow automation
Key Differentiators
- •Auto-generated screens
- •Visual workflow builder
- •Built-in BudibaseDB
- •Role-based access control
OutSystems
Enterprise-grade low-code platform for large-scale applications
Pricing
Best For
Large enterprises needing mission-critical applications, organizations with complex integration requirements, and teams building customer-facing apps at scale
Key Differentiators
- •Visual modeling tools
- •Cloud-native architecture
- •Mobile app support
- •Performance monitoring
Power Apps
Microsoft's low-code platform integrated with Microsoft 365
Pricing
Best For
Organizations already using Microsoft 365, teams needing SharePoint integration, and enterprises wanting AI-powered automation with Power Automate
Key Differentiators
- •Teams/SharePoint integration
- •Power Automate workflows
- •Dynamics 365 connectivity
- •Azure cloud services
Feature Comparison Matrix
Side-by-side comparison of key features across platforms
| Feature | Retool | Appsmith | Budibase | OutSystems | Power Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $10/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $60/creator/mo | Enterprise | $20/user/mo |
| Free Tier | Yes (5 users) | Yes (5 users) | Yes | Trial only | Trial only |
| Open Source | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Self-Hosting | Enterprise only | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Code Export | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Limited | Limited |
| Database Integrations | 50+ | 20+ | 15+ | 100+ | 50+ |
| Custom JavaScript | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Mobile Apps | Web only | Web only | Web only | ✅ | ✅ |
| Git Integration | Enterprise | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SSO/SAML | Enterprise | Business | Enterprise | ✅ | ✅ |
| Audit Logging | Business+ | Business | Premium | ✅ | ✅ |
| Learning Curve | Medium | Medium | Low | High | Low-Medium |
Pricing Breakdown
Understand the true cost of each platform at different scales
Natively
- 3 projects
- Full code export
- AI-powered development
Unlimited projects & apps
Priority support & features
Retool
- Up to 5 users
- Unlimited apps
- 500 workflow runs/mo
Standard users • End users: $5/mo
Audit logs, advanced permissions
Appsmith
- Up to 5 users
- Unlimited apps
- Community support
Source control, granular permissions
SSO, audit logs, SLA
Budibase
- Unlimited users
- Self-hosting
App users: $6/mo each
Air-gapped, SSO, SLA
Security & Compliance
Understanding security features and compliance certifications
Retool Security
SOC 2 Type II Certified
Independently audited for security, availability, and confidentiality (trust.retool.com)
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Granular permissions at app, query, and resource levels
SSO & MFA
SAML/OpenID Connect integration with major identity providers
Data Encryption
TLS 1.2+ in transit, AES-256 at rest for all stored data
Audit Logging
Immutable logs with SIEM integration (Business plan+)
Compliance Comparison
Self-Hosting for Maximum Security
For organizations with strict data residency requirements, open-source alternatives like Appsmith and Budibase offer self-hosting options:
- •Complete control over data location and infrastructure
- •Deploy on-premises or in your own cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure)
- •No data leaves your network
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Decision framework based on your specific needs
- You need to build internal tools quickly (admin panels, dashboards)
- Your team is comfortable with JavaScript and SQL
- You want a mature platform with extensive integrations (50+ databases)
- Budget allows for $10-50/user/month pricing
- You don't need source code export or self-hosting
- Cloud-hosted solution is acceptable for your security requirements
- You want open-source software with full code access
- Self-hosting is required for compliance or security
- You need Git-based version control and collaboration
- Budget is limited ($15/user is more affordable)
- You want a large, active community (35,000+ GitHub stars)
- You may need to customize the platform itself
- Your team includes non-technical users who need to build apps
- You want auto-generated CRUD interfaces to save time
- Visual workflow builder is important for your use case
- You need a built-in database (BudibaseDB) for rapid prototyping
- Low learning curve is a priority
- You want open-source with a growing community
- You're building mission-critical applications for 10,000+ users (OutSystems)
- You need full-stack capabilities including mobile apps (OutSystems)
- Your organization is heavily invested in Microsoft 365 (Power Apps)
- You require enterprise SLAs and dedicated support
- Budget is not a primary constraint (typically $2,000+/month)
- You need advanced AI-powered automation and insights
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Retool and its alternatives
What is Retool used for?
How does Retool work?
How much does Retool cost for teams?
Is Retool free?
What databases can Retool connect to?
What is the most secure alternative to Retool?
When should I use Retool vs coding from scratch?
How does Retool handle source control?
What AI features does Retool offer?
Can Retool build mobile apps?
Need Native Mobile Apps?
While Retool and its alternatives excel at internal tools, building native mobile apps for iOS and Android requires a different approach. Natively generates real React Native code that you fully own.