What is Retool and Its Top Alternatives in 2025

By 2025, low-code platforms dominate app development, with nearly 65% of projects relying on them. Developers and businesses increasingly embrace these tools:

• 87% of enterprise developers actively use low-code platforms.

• 88% of organizations participate in low-code projects.

• 56% of companies rate their capabilities as advanced.

• Non-technical employees drive nearly 60% of custom app development outside IT departments.

Retool stands out as a preferred choice, simplifying workflows and enabling innovation.

What is Retool?

Overview of Retool

Retool is a low-code development platform that simplifies the process of building internal tools. It allows you to create custom applications by connecting directly to databases and APIs, eliminating the need for extensive coding. With its drag-and-drop interface, Retool empowers you to design user-friendly dashboards, automate workflows, and manage data efficiently. Whether you're a developer or a business professional, Retool provides the functionality to streamline operations and enhance productivity.

This platform supports integration with popular tools like dbt Cloud and Databricks, enabling you to set up scalable data infrastructure and perform advanced analytics. Retool also accommodates both SQL and Python, fostering collaboration across technical teams. Its versatility makes it a go-to choice for organizations aiming to digitize processes and replace outdated systems with modern software solutions.

Key Features of Retool

Retool offers a range of features that make it a powerful tool for rapid development:

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Build applications visually without writing extensive code.

• Database and API Integration: Connect to SQL databases, REST APIs, and other data sources effortlessly.

• Customizable Components: Use pre-built components like tables, charts, and forms to design applications tailored to your needs.

• Collaboration Tools: Work with your team in real-time to develop and refine applications.

• Support for Multiple Languages: Utilize SQL, Python, and JavaScript to add advanced functionality to your tools.

• Scalability: Create applications that grow with your business, whether you're managing internal tools or customer-facing software.

These features enable you to build everything from admin dashboards to interactive reporting tools. Retool's flexibility ensures that you can adapt it to various business requirements, making it a valuable asset for teams across industries.

Common Use Cases for Retool

Retool shines in scenarios where internal tools are essential for operational efficiency. Here are some common applications:

Retool also facilitates the creation of database CRUD tools, allowing broader access to data without heavy engineering involvement. You can use it to build admin dashboards for monitoring real-time metrics or custom CRM tools to manage customer relationships effectively. Additionally, Retool supports business process automation, helping you save time and resources.

In one documented case, a sales team used Retool to develop a mobile application, boosting productivity and improving decision-making. Another example involved launching a new software system in just 40 hours, replacing an outdated solution and meeting all client requirements. These success stories highlight Retool's ability to deliver impactful results across industries.

Pros and Cons of Retool

Advantages of Retool

Retool offers several benefits that make it a standout low-code platform for building internal tools. Its drag-and-drop interface allows you to create user-friendly applications quickly, even if you have limited coding experience. By connecting directly to databases and APIs, Retool simplifies data integration, enabling you to build functional tools without extensive backend setup.

One of Retool's key strengths lies in its ability to enhance efficiency. For example, it integrates code interpreter execution into the reasoning loop of large language models (LLMs), improving training efficiency and adaptive tool selection. This functionality makes Retool a valuable asset for teams aiming to streamline workflows and reduce development time.

Empirical data further highlights its advantages. Compared to traditional methods, Retool achieves a 67% accuracy rate on AIME2024 tasks, outperforming the 40% accuracy of conventional approaches. It also requires significantly fewer training steps—400 versus 1,080—demonstrating its efficiency in rapid development.

In enterprise environments, Retool has proven its value across various departments. For instance, marketing teams benefit from real-time data access and campaign performance tracking, leading to optimized efforts. Similarly, customer support teams experience faster response times and improved satisfaction ratings, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Limitations of Retool

Despite its strengths, Retool has some limitations. Its pricing model, based on per-user costs, can become expensive as your team grows. This makes it less suitable for organizations with tight budgets or large user bases. Additionally, while Retool supports JavaScript, SQL, and Python, its dev-first approach may pose a learning curve for non-technical users, limiting its appeal for no-code enthusiasts.

Retool also focuses primarily on frontend and logic layers, requiring external databases and APIs for full-stack development. This reliance on external systems can complicate scalability and performance, especially for public-facing applications. In contrast, some Retool competitors, like Momen, offer end-to-end solutions with built-in hosting and real-time infrastructure.

Best Use Case for Retool

Retool excels in building internal tools for developers. It is particularly effective for creating admin dashboards, CRUD tools, and support applications. Companies like Amazon and DoorDash use Retool to connect SQL databases and REST APIs to user interfaces, enabling rapid development of operational tools.

A notable example is Greenly, which used Retool to build a custom investment portfolio analysis dashboard and a 'Foodprint Calculator.' These applications showcase Retool's versatility in addressing unique business needs across industries like finance and food. Additionally, Retool templates, such as the Snowflake Dashboard and Google Sheets Dashboard, simplify data management and visualization, making it an ideal choice for teams focused on internal efficiency.

Top Retool Alternatives in 2025

Momen

Momen stands out as a robust alternative to Retool, especially for building modern, customer-facing applications. Unlike Retool, which focuses on internal tools, Momen offers an end-to-end stack that includes UI, database, authentication, logic, and hosting. This makes it an excellent choice for startups and developers aiming to create full-stack SaaS applications, marketplaces, or AI-powered workflows.

Key Features of Momen:

• No-Code-First Approach: Momen prioritizes a visual interface for building applications, with optional coding for advanced customization.

• End-to-End Stack: It provides everything you need, from frontend design to backend hosting, eliminating the need for external integrations.

• AI Tool Integration: Momen supports native AI tools like GPT and custom RAG workflows, making it ideal for AI-driven applications.

• Scalability: Built on modern infrastructure, Momen ensures real-time updates and serverless deployment for public-facing apps.

Why Choose Momen?

If you're looking to build scalable, customer-facing software without juggling multiple tools, Momen is a great choice. Its flat-rate pricing model is another advantage, offering generous free tiers and predictable costs as your app grows. For example, you can create a live MVP or a client dashboard on the free plan and upgrade only when you need advanced hosting or team collaboration.

Softr

Softr is another excellent alternative to Retool, particularly for users who prefer a no-code platform. It enables you to create web applications, internal tools, and portals without writing a single line of code. Softr's user-friendly interface and extensive template library make it accessible to non-technical users, while its robust features cater to more advanced needs.

Key Features of Softr:

• No-Code Development: Build applications visually without any coding knowledge.

• Pre-Built Templates: Choose from a wide range of templates to jumpstart your project.

• Integration with Airtable: Softr seamlessly connects with Airtable, allowing you to use it as a backend for your applications.

• User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive design ensures a smooth experience for beginners and professionals alike.

Why Choose Softr?

Softr is ideal for small businesses and teams that need to create internal tools or customer-facing portals quickly. Its great pricing and high user satisfaction ratings make it a popular choice. According to customer reviews, Softr has a rating of 4.8 out of 5, surpassing Retool's 4.6 rating. With over 300 reviews, it demonstrates strong market acceptance and reliability.

Noloco

Noloco is a rising star in the low-code development space, offering a unique blend of simplicity and power. It allows you to build internal tools and customer-facing applications with minimal effort. Noloco's focus on mobile responsiveness and real-time collaboration sets it apart from other Retool competitors.

Key Features of Noloco:

• Mobile-First Design: Create applications optimized for mobile devices without additional configuration.

• Real-Time Collaboration: Work with your team in real-time to build and refine applications.

• Customizable Components: Use pre-built components to design applications tailored to your needs.

• Integration Capabilities: Connect to various APIs and data sources effortlessly.

Why Choose Noloco?

Noloco is perfect for teams that prioritize mobile responsiveness and collaboration. Its low-code approach ensures rapid development, while its integration capabilities make it versatile for different use cases. The no-code market is expected to reach $52 billion by 2024, highlighting the growing demand for platforms like Noloco.

Noloco's ability to adapt to market trends and its focus on user-friendly design make it a strong contender among Retool alternatives.

Supabase + React (for devs)

Supabase combined with React offers a powerful solution for developers seeking flexibility and control in building applications. Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service platform that provides essential tools like authentication, database management, and real-time APIs. When paired with React, a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces, you gain the ability to create dynamic, scalable applications tailored to your needs.

Key Features of Supabase:

• PostgreSQL Database: Supabase uses PostgreSQL, a robust and scalable database system, as its foundation. You can manage data efficiently and perform complex queries with ease.

• Authentication: Built-in authentication simplifies user management, allowing you to implement secure login systems without additional tools.

• Real-Time APIs: Supabase enables real-time data synchronization, ensuring your applications stay updated without manual refreshes.

• Storage: You can store and manage files directly within Supabase, making it ideal for applications requiring media uploads or document management.

• Open Source: Supabase is entirely open-source, giving you full control over your backend and the ability to customize it to suit your requirements.

Why Choose Supabase + React?

This combination is perfect for developers who prefer coding over drag-and-drop interfaces. Supabase provides the backend infrastructure, while React handles the frontend, giving you complete control over your application's design and functionality.

For example, you can use Supabase's APIs to fetch data and display it dynamically in React components. This setup is ideal for building dashboards, e-commerce platforms, or SaaS applications where performance and customizability are critical. Supabase's real-time capabilities also make it a great choice for collaborative tools, such as live chat applications or project management software.

Tip: If you're transitioning from Retool or other low-code platforms, Supabase + React offers a more developer-centric approach. You can leverage Supabase's APIs to build custom solutions without relying on pre-built components.

Bubble

Bubble is a no-code platform that empowers you to build web applications visually, without writing code. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for designing, developing, and deploying applications, making it a popular choice among entrepreneurs and small businesses. Bubble's user-friendly interface and extensive customizability allow you to create applications tailored to your specific needs.

Key Features of Bubble:

• Visual Development: Bubble's drag-and-drop editor lets you design applications without coding, making it accessible to non-technical users.

• Custom Workflows: You can create complex workflows to automate processes and enhance functionality.

• Integrations: Bubble supports seamless integration with APIs, enabling you to connect your application to external services effortlessly.

• Hosting and Deployment: Bubble provides built-in hosting, allowing you to launch your application without worrying about server management.

• Scalability: Bubble's infrastructure supports scaling, ensuring your application can handle increased traffic as your business grows.

Why Choose Bubble?

Bubble is ideal for business owners and teams looking for a no-code solution to build applications quickly. Its focus on customizability ensures that your application doesn't feel generic, while its integration capabilities allow you to connect with external tools and services.

Bubble's effectiveness as a low-code solution is validated by user statistics:

• Rated 4.39/5 for technical performance, highlighting its reliability.

• Rated 4.38/5 for customizability, showing users value the ability to tailor their applications.

• Rated 4.34/5 for integrations, emphasizing the importance of seamless connectivity.

• Nearly 59% of users are business owners, demonstrating its appeal to entrepreneurs seeking user-friendly platforms.

Bubble's versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from marketplaces to SaaS products. For instance, you can use Bubble to create a customer portal, an e-commerce site, or even a social networking platform. Its great pricing and scalability further enhance its appeal, making it a strong contender among Retool alternatives.

Note: If you're looking for a no-code platform with high customizability and seamless integrations, Bubble is an excellent choice.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right platform for building internal tools or customer-facing applications depends on your specific needs and goals. Retool remains a strong contender in the low-code space, offering robust features for rapid development. However, its limitations, such as pricing and a developer-first approach, may not suit every organization. Exploring alternatives can help you find a solution that aligns better with your requirements.

When evaluating platforms, consider factors like scalability, ease of use, and integration capabilities. For instance, Momen provides an end-to-end stack for full-stack applications, while Softr excels in no-code simplicity. Noloco focuses on mobile responsiveness, and Supabase with React offers unmatched flexibility for developers. Bubble stands out for its customizability and user-friendly design, making it ideal for entrepreneurs.

Reflecting on market trends, the demand for low-code and no-code platforms continues to grow. Businesses increasingly rely on these tools to streamline operations and reduce development time. To make an informed decision, follow a structured approach: define your objectives, gather relevant data, and analyze it using the right tools. Platforms like NetSuite SuiteAnalytics can assist in this process by providing real-time reporting and customizable dashboards. These insights enable you to adapt quickly to changing needs and trends.

Keep in mind that no single platform fits all scenarios. Your choice should depend on your team's technical expertise, budget, and the complexity of your projects. By understanding your priorities and exploring the options available, you can select a software solution that drives efficiency and innovation in your organization.

Tip: Always test a platform's features through free trials or demos before committing. This hands-on experience helps you evaluate its suitability for your specific use case.

Retool remains a powerful low-code platform for building internal tools, but it may not fit every use case or budget. Its limitations in customization, extensibility, and pricing make exploring retool alternatives essential. Platforms like Appsmith, DronaHQ, and Budibase offer open-source flexibility, better security, and real-time streaming support. These alternatives cater to diverse needs, from internal dashboards to full-stack applications. Use the table below for a comprehensive comparison of features and concerns:

Tip: Evaluate your team's technical expertise and project goals to choose the best platform for your needs.

FAQ

1. What is the main purpose of Retool?

Retool helps you build internal tools quickly. It connects to databases and APIs, allowing you to create dashboards, workflows, and applications with minimal coding. This makes it ideal for streamlining business operations.

2. Who should use Retool?

Retool works best for developers and teams needing internal tools. If you manage data-heavy tasks or require custom dashboards, Retool can simplify your workflow. However, non-technical users may find it less intuitive.

3. How does Retool compare to its alternatives?

Retool excels in building internal tools but focuses on developers. Alternatives like Softr and Bubble cater to no-code users, while Momen offers full-stack capabilities. Your choice depends on your technical skills and project needs.

4. Can I use Retool for customer-facing applications?

Retool primarily supports internal tools. For customer-facing apps, platforms like Momen or Bubble provide better options. These alternatives offer end-to-end solutions, including hosting and scalability for public applications.

5. Is Retool suitable for small businesses?

Retool can benefit small businesses needing internal tools. However, its pricing may not suit tight budgets. Alternatives like Softr or Noloco offer more affordable options with similar functionality, especially for non-technical teams.

Tip: Always evaluate your project requirements and budget before choosing a platform. Many tools offer free trials to help you decide.

See Also

7 Essential No-Code Solutions for Founders Without Tech Skills

7 Outstanding Alternatives to Softr for Businesses This Year

10 Cutting-Edge AI Application Development Platforms to Discover

Top No-Code Platforms Ideal for Freelance Projects This Year

25 Must-Have Tools for SaaS Startups in 2025