Enterprise-ready Retool alternative
ToolJet lets you build apps with natural language in minutes. AI-native. Open-source. Fully secure.
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Why ToolJet is the best alternative to Retool
Looking for a Retool alternative that fits enterprise needs? ToolJet delivers everything Retool does and even more, with AI-native automation, enterprise-grade security, and flexible deployment across any infrastructure.Here is why global teams are switching:
AI-native platform
Built AI-first from day one, not bolted on. Transforms natural language into production-ready apps with UI, backend logic, and data connections automatically configured.
Build instantly, zero learning curve
Describe what you need in natural language, and ToolJet builds it. No training, no complex configurations. Your team builds enterprise apps from day one, technical or not.
Your data, your infrastructure
Self-host on-premise, in your VPC, or air-gapped; available across all plans. Open-source core lets you audit code and verify security yourself, ensuring SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO 27001 compliance.
Talk to engineers, not chatbots
Direct access to our engineering team via a dedicated Slack with 24/7 SLA support. When you need help, you talk to the people who built the product.
ToolJet vs Retool: Feature comparison
Why is ToolJet the better Retool alternative?
A detailed feature-by-feature comparison table
Feature comparison
See how ToolJet outperforms Retool software for enterprise app development. An AI-native, secure, and scalable alternative to Retool built for large teams.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- AI-native platform
Built from the ground up
Designed AI-first with natural language generation integrated into every aspect of app building from day one.
AI features added recently
Added AI capabilities to an existing visual builder, resulting in limited AI functionality that feels like an add-on.
- Natural language app building
Full app generation
Transforms your descriptions into complete, production-ready applications with UI, backend logic, and data connections.
Limited query generation
Offers AI assistance primarily for query generation, still requiring manual app configuration and component setup.
- AI query builder
Yes
Supports AI-assisted query building for SQL, REST API calls, and GraphQL using natural language prompts.
Yes
Provides AI query generation capabilities for databases and APIs with similar natural language support.
- AI agent builder
Yes
Includes native AI agent capabilities for building autonomous workflows directly within the platform.
Yes (Workflows)
Provides AI agent functionality through their separate Workflows product for automated task execution.
- Multi-LLM support
OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini+, others
Supports a wide range of LLM providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, and more, for flexibility.
OpenAI, others
Primarily focused on OpenAI integration with limited support for alternative LLM providers.
ToolJet is AI-native, built to generate full apps from natural language. Retool AI adds automation but still needs manual setup. ToolJet offers faster delivery and easier scaling, making it the stronger Retool alternative.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
Yes
Maintains SOC 2 Type II compliance with independently audited security controls for enterprise requirements.
Yes
SOC 2 Type II certified, ensuring that stringent security and privacy standards are met for enterprise customers.
- GDPR compliance
Yes
Fully GDPR compliant with built-in controls for data privacy, user consent, and data portability requirements.
Yes
GDPR compliant platform providing necessary data protection controls for European Union regulations.
- ISO 27001 compliance
Yes
ISO 27001 certified with validated information security management systems meeting global best practices.
Yes
ISO 27001 certified, demonstrating commitment to international information security standards and controls.
- Data encryption
TLS, AES-256-GCM
Uses TLS for data in transit and AES-256-GCM for data at rest, providing robust encryption standards.
TLS 1.2+, AES-256
Implements TLS 1.2+ for transit and AES-256 for data at rest, ensuring enterprise-grade encryption.
- Audit logging
Yes
Includes comprehensive audit logging across all plans for complete visibility into user actions and changes.
Business+ plansc
Restricts audit logs to Business and Enterprise tiers, limiting security monitoring for teams on lower plans.
- Role-based access control
Advanced RBAC
Provides advanced role management with custom permission sets for flexible access control across your organization.
Granular RBAC
Offers granular control over resources and actions with detailed permission configurations for enterprise security.
Both meet SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR standards, but ToolJet includes full security controls across all plans. Retool software reserves advanced options for higher tiers. ToolJet gives enterprises more control and transparency.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Self-hosting options
Yes
Offers self-hosting across all plans, including on-premise and VPC deployments, with full control over your data.
VPC/Enterprise only
Restricts self-hosting to VPC and Enterprise customers only, requiring significant investment for deployment control.
- Cloud hosting
Yes
Provides fully managed cloud hosting with automatic scaling, backups, and maintenance handled by the vendor.
Yes
Offers managed cloud infrastructure with enterprise-grade reliability, automatic updates, and performance optimization.
- On-premise deployment/Self-hosting
Air-gapped support
Supports air-gapped deployments for highly regulated industries with complete network isolation requirements.
Enterprise only
Restricts on-premise deployments to Enterprise customers with complex installation and infrastructure requirements.
- Multi-environment support
Yes
Enables you to create and manage multiple environments for safe development and testing workflows before production.
Yes
Provides environment management capabilities allowing you to separate development, staging, and production deployments.
ToolJet supports self-hosted, cloud, and air-gapped deployments. Retool software limits self-hosting to enterprise plans. ToolJet offers greater flexibility for teams that need control over their data and infrastructure.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Drag-and-drop builder
Yes
Provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for building application layouts with pre-built components.
Yes
Offers a visual drag-and-drop builder with an extensive component library for rapid UI development.
- Visual builder
Yes
Offers a visual development environment where you can see changes in real-time as you build applications.
Yes
Provides an immediate preview of changes in the visual builder with real-time rendering of components.
- Code editor support
Python/JavaScript
Supports both Python and JavaScript for backend logic and frontend customization with full code flexibility.
JavaScript/SQL
Focuses on JavaScript and SQL for custom logic, with Python available in their separate Workflows product.
- Version control integration
GitSync
Offers GitSync for seamless version control integration with GitHub, GitLab, and other Git providers.
Git integration
Provides Git integration with similar capabilities for tracking changes, code review, and team collaboration.
- CI/CD integration
Yes
Supports CI/CD workflows, allowing you to automate testing and deployment processes for production applications.
Yes
Enables CI/CD integration for automated deployments, testing, and release management across environments.
- Database connections
70+ data sources
Supports 70+ native database and data source connectors for comprehensive integration coverage.
data sources
Offers a wide range of integrations covering the most common enterprise databases and data sources.
- API Integrations
REST/GraphQL
Provides robust support for REST and GraphQL APIs with built-in authentication and request builders
REST/GraphQL
Offers comprehensive REST and GraphQL API integration with advanced authentication and data transformation options.
- Custom connectors
Yes
Create custom connectors in JavaScript or Python to integrate any API; no waiting for official support.
Limited
Supports custom resource types but needs a complex setup and offers limited flexibility compared to custom connectors.
- Secrets and credentials management
Intuitive management
Securely manage API keys, credentials, and secrets with an easy interface; built-in encryption and environment-based storage ensure data safety without complexity.
Complex configuration
Needs multiple menu navigations and resource setup knowledge, making credential management challenging for new users.
- Developer experience
Optimized workflow
Combines AI assistance with standard dev patterns. The intuitive UI and instant previews help developers stay focused on logic.
Steep learning curve
Offers many features, but a dense interface and complex setup extend onboarding time for new teams.
- Layout flexibility
Flexible grid with overlap
Enables pixel-level positioning and overlapping elements for fully custom, complex layouts.
Rigid grid system
Uses a rigid grid system where components snap to set positions, reducing control over custom layouts.
- Complex application support
Enterprise-scale complexity
Easily manages multi-step workflows, nested relationships, and complex logic, with no restrictions on app structure.
Yes
Supports intricate applications, though performance and maintainability can suffer at high complexity.
ToolJet combines AI generation with full Python and JavaScript customization. Retool software focuses more on manual setup for developers. ToolJet balances ease of use with advanced flexibility for diverse teams.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Performance with large datasets
Optimized for scale
Handles 100,000+ rows with no lag. Built-in pagination, virtual scrolling, and query optimization maintain high performance.
Performance degradation
Performance can degrade on large datasets, requiring solutions such as server-side pagination.
- Workflow automation hosting
Self-host everything
Run workflows alongside apps in the same self-hosted setup, avoiding reliance on external services or added infrastructure.
Requires additional services
Runs on Retool’s infrastructure or demands separate deployment; self-hosting involves complex third-party setup and management.
ToolJet handles large datasets and workflows smoothly with built-in optimizations. Retool software performs well but can slow at scale. ToolJet is better suited for enterprise workloads.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Learning curve
Minutes to productivity
Use natural language to start building immediately. AI manages complexity, enabling users to create apps.
Weeks of training
Significant training is needed; teams may take weeks to become productive on the platform.
- Ease of use
Intuitive for all skill levels
Supports both technical and non-technical users with a clear UI, AI guidance, and structured workflows.
Developer-centric
Designed for developers, business users, and less technical team members may struggle with the interface.
ToolJet enables instant productivity with a simple interface for all skill levels. Retool software is powerful but requires more onboarding. ToolJet delivers faster results with less complexity.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Free tier available
2 builders, 50 end users
Offers 2 builder seats with 50 end users at no cost, perfect for small teams to get started.
5 users
Provides 5 total users in their free tier, but both builders and end users count toward this limit.
- Pricing model
Per builder ($19-199), custom enterprise pricing
Charges per builder with unlimited end users, making it cost-effective for applications with many users.
Per user ($10-50+), custom enterprise pricing
Charges per user (both builders and end users), which can become expensive as your application scales
- Open source
Yes
Maintains an open-source core allowing you to audit code, contribute features, and customize the platform.
No
Closed-source proprietary software with no access to the underlying code for security audits or customization.
- External user scaling
Unlimited end users included
Scale to customers and vendors at no additional cost. Share applications with thousands of external users without worrying about per-user fees eating into your budget.
Pay per user
Charges per end user, make it prohibitively expensive to scale applications to customers, partners, or large vendor networks. Costs multiply rapidly with external users.
Retool pricing increases per user, while ToolJet charges per builder with unlimited end users. ToolJet’s builder-based model makes it easier and more predictable to scale.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- SSO support
SAML/OIDC
Starts with the Team plan, offering SAML and OIDC SSO with Okta, Auth0, and Azure AD.
SAML/OIDC - starts from enterprise plan
Available only in the Enterprise plan, supports SAML/OIDC SSO with enterprise identity providers.
- Custom branding
Yes
Includes custom branding features across paid plans, allowing you to white-label applications with your brand.
Enterprise only
Restricts white-labeling and custom branding to Enterprise customers only, limiting brand customization options.Based
- 24/7 support
Engineering support
Provides direct engineering support for critical issues, ensuring quick resolution with technical expertise.
Enterprise plans
Offers 24/7 support exclusively to Enterprise plan customers, limiting access for teams on lower tiers.
- Enterprise SLA
Yes
Offers enterprise-grade SLAs with uptime guarantees and defined response times for critical issues.
Yes
Provides formal SLAs for enterprise customers with guaranteed uptime and priority support response times.
ToolJet offers SSO, custom branding, and 24/7 engineering support on lower plans. Retool software restricts these to enterprise tiers. ToolJet provides stronger enterprise flexibility and support accessibility.
ToolJet
Retool
- AI-native platform
- AI-native platform
Built from the ground up
Designed AI-first with natural language generation integrated into every aspect of app building from day one.
- AI-native platform
AI features added
Added AI capabilities to an existing visual builder, resulting in limited AI functionality that feels like an add-on.
- Natural language app building
- Natural language app building
Full app generation
Transforms your descriptions into complete, production-ready applications with UI, backend logic, and data connections.
- Natural language app building
Limited query generation
Offers AI assistance primarily for query generation, still requiring manual app configuration and component setup.
- AI query builder
- AI query builder
Yes
Supports AI-assisted query building for SQL, REST API calls, and GraphQL using natural language prompts.
- AI query builder
Yes
Provides AI query generation capabilities for databases and APIs with similar natural language support.
- AI agent builder
- AI agent builder
Yes
Includes native AI agent capabilities for building autonomous workflows directly within the platform.
- AI agent builder
Yes (Workflows)
Provides AI agent functionality through their separate Workflows product for automated task execution.
- Multi-LLM support
- Multi-LLM support
OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini+, others
Supports a wide range of LLM providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, and more, for flexibility.
- Multi-LLM support
OpenAI, others
Primarily focused on OpenAI integration with limited support for alternative LLM providers.
ToolJet
Retool
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
Yes
Maintains SOC 2 Type II compliance with independently audited security controls for enterprise requirements.
Yes
SOC 2 Type II certified, ensuring that stringent security and privacy standards are met for enterprise customers.
- GDPR compliance
Yes
Fully GDPR compliant with built-in controls for data privacy, user consent, and data portability requirements.
Yes
GDPR compliant platform providing necessary data protection controls for European Union regulations.
- ISO 27001 compliance
Yes
ISO 27001 certified with validated information security management systems meeting global best practices.
Yes
ISO 27001 certified, demonstrating commitment to international information security standards and controls.
- Data encryption
TLS, AES-256-GCM
Uses TLS for data in transit and AES-256-GCM for data at rest, providing robust encryption standards.
TLS 1.2+, AES-256
Implements TLS 1.2+ for transit and AES-256 for data at rest, ensuring enterprise-grade encryption.
- Audit logging
Yes
Includes comprehensive audit logging across all plans for complete visibility into user actions and changes.
Business+ plansc
Restricts audit logs to Business and Enterprise tiers, limiting security monitoring for teams on lower plans.
- Role-based access control
Advanced RBAC
Provides advanced role management with custom permission sets for flexible access control across your organization.
Granular RBAC
Offers granular control over resources and actions with detailed permission configurations for enterprise security.
ToolJet
Retool
- Self-hosting options
Yes
Offers self-hosting across all plans, including on-premise and VPC deployments, with full control over your data.
VPC/Enterprise only
Restricts self-hosting to VPC and Enterprise customers only, requiring significant investment for deployment control.
- Cloud hosting
Yes
Provides fully managed cloud hosting with automatic scaling, backups, and maintenance handled by the vendor.
Yes
Offers managed cloud infrastructure with enterprise-grade reliability, automatic updates, and performance optimization.
- On-premise deployment/Self-hosting
Air-gapped support
Supports air-gapped deployments for highly regulated industries with complete network isolation requirements.
Enterprise only
Restricts on-premise deployments to Enterprise customers with complex installation and infrastructure requirements.
- Multi-environment support
Yes
Enables you to create and manage multiple environments for safe development and testing workflows before production.
Yes
Provides environment management capabilities allowing you to separate development, staging, and production deployments.
ToolJet
Retool
- Drag-and-drop builder
Yes
Provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for building application layouts with pre-built components.
Yes
Offers a visual drag-and-drop builder with an extensive component library for rapid UI development.
- Visual builder
Yes
Offers a visual development environment where you can see changes in real-time as you build applications.
Yes
Provides an immediate preview of changes in the visual builder with real-time rendering of components.
- Code editor support
Python/JavaScript
Supports both Python and JavaScript for backend logic and frontend customization with full code flexibility.
JavaScript/SQL
Focuses on JavaScript and SQL for custom logic, with Python available in their separate Workflows product.
- Version control integration
GitSync
Offers GitSync for seamless version control integration with GitHub, GitLab, and other Git providers.
Git integration
Provides Git integration with similar capabilities for tracking changes, code review, and team collaboration.
- CI/CD integration
Yes
Supports CI/CD workflows, allowing you to automate testing and deployment processes for production applications.
Yes
Enables CI/CD integration for automated deployments, testing, and release management across environments.
- Database connections
70+ data sources
Supports 70+ native database and data source connectors for comprehensive integration coverage.
data sources
Offers a wide range of integrations covering the most common enterprise databases and data sources.
- API Integrations
REST/GraphQL
Provides robust support for REST and GraphQL APIs with built-in authentication and request builders
REST/GraphQL
Offers comprehensive REST and GraphQL API integration with advanced authentication and data transformation options.
- Custom connectors
Yes
Create custom connectors in JavaScript or Python to integrate any API; no waiting for official support.
Limited
Supports custom resource types but needs a complex setup and offers limited flexibility compared to custom connectors.
- Secrets and credentials management
Intuitive management
Securely manage API keys, credentials, and secrets with an easy interface; built-in encryption and environment-based storage ensure data safety without complexity.
Complex configuration
Needs multiple menu navigations and resource setup knowledge, making credential management challenging for new users.
- Developer experience
Optimized workflow
Combines AI assistance with standard dev patterns. The intuitive UI and instant previews help developers stay focused on logic.
Steep learning curve
Offers many features, but a dense interface and complex setup extend onboarding time for new teams.
- Layout flexibility
Flexible grid with overlap
Enables pixel-level positioning and overlapping elements for fully custom, complex layouts.
Rigid grid system
Uses a rigid grid system where components snap to set positions, reducing control over custom layouts.
- Complex application support
Enterprise-scale complexity
Easily manages multi-step workflows, nested relationships, and complex logic, with no restrictions on app structure.
Yes
Supports intricate applications, though performance and maintainability can suffer at high complexity.
ToolJet
Retool
- Performance with large datasets
Optimized for scale
Handles 100,000+ rows with no lag. Built-in pagination, virtual scrolling, and query optimization maintain high performance.
Performance degradation
Performance can degrade on large datasets, requiring solutions such as server-side pagination.
- Workflow automation hosting
Self-host everything
Run workflows alongside apps in the same self-hosted setup, avoiding reliance on external services or added infrastructure.
Requires additional services
Runs on Retool’s infrastructure or demands separate deployment; self-hosting involves complex third-party setup and management.
ToolJet
Retool
- Learning curve
Minutes to productivity
Use natural language to start building immediately. AI manages complexity, enabling users to create apps.
Weeks of training
Significant training is needed; teams may take weeks to become productive on the platform.
- Ease of use
Intuitive for all skill levels
Supports both technical and non-technical users with a clear UI, AI guidance, and structured workflows.
Developer-centric
Designed for developers, business users, and less technical team members may struggle with the interface.
ToolJet
Retool
- Free tier available
2 builders, 50 end users
Offers 2 builder seats with 50 end users at no cost, perfect for small teams to get started.
5 users
Provides 5 total users in their free tier, but both builders and end users count toward this limit.
- Pricing model
Per builder ($19-199), custom enterprise pricing
Charges per builder with unlimited end users, making it cost-effective for applications with many users.
Per user ($10-50+), custom enterprise pricing
Charges per user (both builders and end users), which can become expensive as your application scales
- Open source
Yes
Maintains an open-source core allowing you to audit code, contribute features, and customize the platform.
No
Closed-source proprietary software with no access to the underlying code for security audits or customization.
- External user scaling
Unlimited end users included
Scale to customers and vendors at no additional cost. Share applications with thousands of external users without worrying about per-user fees eating into your budget.
Pay per user
Charges per end user, make it prohibitively expensive to scale applications to customers, partners, or large vendor networks. Costs multiply rapidly with external users.
ToolJet
Retool
- SSO support
SAML/OIDC
Starts with the Team plan, offering SAML and OIDC SSO with Okta, Auth0, and Azure AD.
SAML/OIDC
Available only in the Enterprise plan, supports SAML/OIDC SSO with enterprise identity providers.
- Custom branding
Yes
Includes custom branding features across paid plans, allowing you to white-label applications with your brand.
Enterprise only
Restricts white-labeling and custom branding to Enterprise customers only, limiting brand customization options.Based
- 24/7 support
Engineering support
Provides direct engineering support for critical issues, ensuring quick resolution with technical expertise.
Enterprise plans
Offers 24/7 support exclusively to Enterprise plan customers, limiting access for teams on lower tiers.
- Enterprise SLA
Yes
Offers enterprise-grade SLAs with uptime guarantees and defined response times for critical issues.
Yes
Provides formal SLAs for enterprise customers with guaranteed uptime and priority support response times.
AI and Development
Security and compliance
Deployment and hosting
Development features
Scalability and performance
User experience
Pricing and access
Enterprise features
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- AI-native platform
- AI-native platform
Built from the ground up
Designed AI-first with natural language generation integrated into every aspect of app building from day one.
- AI-native platform
AI features added recently
Added AI capabilities to an existing visual builder, resulting in limited AI functionality that feels like an add-on.
- Natural language app building
- Natural language app building
Full app generation
Transforms your descriptions into complete, production-ready applications with UI, backend logic, and data connections.
- Natural language app building
Limited query generation
Offers AI assistance primarily for query generation, still requiring manual app configuration and component setup.
- AI query builder
- AI query builder
Yes
Supports AI-assisted query building for SQL, REST API calls, and GraphQL using natural language prompts.
- AI query builder
Yes
Provides AI query generation capabilities for databases and APIs with similar natural language support.
- AI agent builder
- AI agent builder
Yes
Includes native AI agent capabilities for building autonomous workflows directly within the platform.
- AI agent builder
Yes (Workflows)
Provides AI agent functionality through their separate Workflows product for automated task execution.
- Multi-LLM support
- Multi-LLM support
OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini+, others
Supports a wide range of LLM providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, and more, for flexibility.
- Multi-LLM support
OpenAI, others
Primarily focused on OpenAI integration with limited support for alternative LLM providers.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
Yes
Maintains SOC 2 Type II compliance with independently audited security controls for enterprise requirements.
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
Yes
SOC 2 Type II certified, ensuring that stringent security and privacy standards are met for enterprise customers.
- GDPR compliance
- GDPR compliance
Yes
Fully GDPR compliant with built-in controls for data privacy, user consent, and data portability requirements.
- GDPR compliance
Yes
GDPR compliant platform providing necessary data protection controls for European Union regulations.
- ISO 27001 compliance
- ISO 27001 compliance
Yes
ISO 27001 certified with validated information security management systems meeting global best practices.
- ISO 27001 compliance
Yes
ISO 27001 certified, demonstrating commitment to international information security standards and controls.
- Data encryption
- Data encryption
TLS, AES-256-GCM
Uses TLS for data in transit and AES-256-GCM for data at rest, providing robust encryption standards.
- Data encryption
TLS 1.2+, AES-256
Implements TLS 1.2+ for transit and AES-256 for data at rest, ensuring enterprise-grade encryption.
- Audit logging
- Audit logging
Yes
Includes comprehensive audit logging across all plans for complete visibility into user actions and changes.
- Audit logging
Business+ plansc
Restricts audit logs to Business and Enterprise tiers, limiting security monitoring for teams on lower plans.
- Role-based access control
- Role-based access control
Advanced RBAC
Provides advanced role management with custom permission sets for flexible access control across your organization.
- Role-based access control
Granular RBAC
Offers granular control over resources and actions with detailed permission configurations for enterprise security.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Self-hosting options
- Self-hosting options
Yes
Offers self-hosting across all plans, including on-premise and VPC deployments, with full control over your data.
- Self-hosting options
VPC/Enterprise only
Restricts self-hosting to VPC and Enterprise customers only, requiring significant investment for deployment control.
- Cloud hosting
- Cloud hosting
Yes
Provides fully managed cloud hosting with automatic scaling, backups, and maintenance handled by the vendor.
- Cloud hosting
Yes
Offers managed cloud infrastructure with enterprise-grade reliability, automatic updates, and performance optimization.
- On-premise deployment/Self-hosting
- On-premise deployment/Self-hosting
Air-gapped support
Supports air-gapped deployments for highly regulated industries with complete network isolation requirements.
- On-premise deployment/Self-hosting
Enterprise only
Restricts on-premise deployments to Enterprise customers with complex installation and infrastructure requirements.
- Multi-environment support
- Multi-environment support
Yes
Enables you to create and manage multiple environments for safe development and testing workflows before production.
- Multi-environment support
Yes
Provides environment management capabilities allowing you to separate development, staging, and production deployments.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Drag-and-drop builder
Yes
Provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for building application layouts with pre-built components.
- Drag-and-drop builder
Yes
Offers a visual drag-and-drop builder with an extensive component library for rapid UI development.
- Visual builder
- Visual builder
Yes
Offers a visual development environment where you can see changes in real-time as you build applications.
- Visual builder
Yes
Provides an immediate preview of changes in the visual builder with real-time rendering of components.
- Code editor support
- Code editor support
Python/JavaScript
Supports both Python and JavaScript for backend logic and frontend customization with full code flexibility.
- Code editor support
JavaScript/SQL
Focuses on JavaScript and SQL for custom logic, with Python available in their separate Workflows product.
- Version control integration
- Version control integration
GitSync
Offers GitSync for seamless version control integration with GitHub, GitLab, and other Git providers.
- Version control integration
Git integration
Provides Git integration with similar capabilities for tracking changes, code review, and team collaboration.
- CI/CD integration
- CI/CD integration
Yes
Supports CI/CD workflows, allowing you to automate testing and deployment processes for production applications.
- CI/CD integration
Yes
Enables CI/CD integration for automated deployments, testing, and release management across environments.
- Database connections
- Database connections
70+ data sources
Supports 70+ native database and data source connectors for comprehensive integration coverage.
- Database connections
data sources
Offers a wide range of integrations covering the most common enterprise databases and data sources.
- API Integrations
- API Integrations
REST/GraphQL
Provides robust support for REST and GraphQL APIs with built-in authentication and request builders
- API Integrations
REST/GraphQL
Offers comprehensive REST and GraphQL API integration with advanced authentication and data transformation options.
- Custom connectors
- Custom connectors
Yes
Create custom connectors in JavaScript or Python to integrate any API; no waiting for official support.
- Custom connectors
Limited
Supports custom resource types but needs a complex setup and offers limited flexibility compared to custom connectors.
- Secrets and credentials management
- Secrets and credentials management
Intuitive management
Securely manage API keys, credentials, and secrets with an easy interface; built-in encryption and environment-based storage ensure data safety without complexity.
- Secrets and credentials management
Complex configuration
Needs multiple menu navigations and resource setup knowledge, making credential management challenging for new users.
- Developer experience
- Developer experience
Optimized workflow
Combines AI assistance with standard dev patterns. The intuitive UI and instant previews help developers stay focused on logic.
- Developer experience
Steep learning curve
Offers many features, but a dense interface and complex setup extend onboarding time for new teams.
- Layout flexibility
- Layout flexibility
Flexible grid with overlap
Enables pixel-level positioning and overlapping elements for fully custom, complex layouts.
- Layout flexibility
Rigid grid system
Uses a rigid grid system where components snap to set positions, reducing control over custom layouts.
- Complex application support
- Complex application support
Enterprise-scale complexity
Easily manages multi-step workflows, nested relationships, and complex logic, with no restrictions on app structure.
- Complex application support
Yes
Supports intricate applications, though performance and maintainability can suffer at high complexity.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Performance with large datasets
- Performance with large datasets
Optimized for scale
Handles 100,000+ rows with no lag. Built-in pagination, virtual scrolling, and query optimization maintain high performance.
- Performance with large datasets
Performance degradation
Performance can degrade on large datasets, requiring solutions such as server-side pagination.
- Workflow automation hosting
- Workflow automation hosting
Self-host everything
Run workflows alongside apps in the same self-hosted setup, avoiding reliance on external services or added infrastructure.
- Workflow automation hosting
Requires additional services
Runs on Retool’s infrastructure or demands separate deployment; self-hosting involves complex third-party setup and management.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Learning curve
- Learning curve
Minutes to productivity
Use natural language to start building immediately. AI manages complexity, enabling users to create apps.
- Learning curve
Weeks of training
Significant training is needed; teams may take weeks to become productive on the platform.
- Ease of use
- Ease of use
Intuitive for all skill levels
Supports both technical and non-technical users with a clear UI, AI guidance, and structured workflows.
- Ease of use
Developer-centric
Designed for developers, business users, and less technical team members may struggle with the interface.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- Free tier available
- Free tier available
2 builders, 50 end users
Offers 2 builder seats with 50 end users at no cost, perfect for small teams to get started.
- Free tier available
5 users
Provides 5 total users in their free tier, but both builders and end users count toward this limit.
- Pricing model
- Pricing model
Per builder ($19-199), custom enterprise pricing
Charges per builder with unlimited end users, making it cost-effective for applications with many users.
- Pricing model
Per user ($10-50+), custom enterprise pricing
Charges per user (both builders and end users), which can become expensive as your application scales
- Open source
- Open source
Yes
Maintains an open-source core allowing you to audit code, contribute features, and customize the platform.
- Open source
No
Closed-source proprietary software with no access to the underlying code for security audits or customization.
- External user scaling
- External user scaling
Unlimited end users included
Scale to customers and vendors at no additional cost. Share applications with thousands of external users without worrying about per-user fees eating into your budget.
- External user scaling
Pay per user
Charges per end user, make it prohibitively expensive to scale applications to customers, partners, or large vendor networks. Costs multiply rapidly with external users.
ToolJet
Retool
ToolJet
Retool
- SSO support
- SSO support
SAML/OIDC
Starts with the Team plan, offering SAML and OIDC SSO with Okta, Auth0, and Azure AD.
- SSO support
SAML/OIDC - starts from enterprise plan
Available only in the Enterprise plan, supports SAML/OIDC SSO with enterprise identity providers.
- Custom branding
- Custom branding
Yes
Includes custom branding features across paid plans, allowing you to white-label applications with your brand.
- Custom branding
Enterprise only
Restricts white-labeling and custom branding to Enterprise customers only, limiting brand customization options.Based
- 24/7 support
- 24/7 support
Engineering support
Provides direct engineering support for critical issues, ensuring quick resolution with technical expertise.
- 24/7 support
Enterprise plans
Offers 24/7 support exclusively to Enterprise plan customers, limiting access for teams on lower tiers.
- Enterprise SLA
- Enterprise SLA
Yes
Offers enterprise-grade SLAs with uptime guarantees and defined response times for critical issues.
- Enterprise SLA
Yes
Provides formal SLAs for enterprise customers with guaranteed uptime and priority support response times.
Why enterprises choose ToolJet over Retool
ToolJet gives enterprise teams more flexibility, security, and support, making it the trusted Retool alternative.
Scale without limits
Deploy to unlimited users across teams, customers, and vendors, with predictable licensing even as you scale from 500 to 5,000. Build apps 10x faster with AI, turning 8 hours of work into just 30 minutes.
Flexibility and control
Open-source transparency with enterprise flexibility. Verify security, extend features freely, and avoid vendor lock-in. Self-host or choose managed cloud; your platform, your control.
24/7 support
Direct access to the engineering support team. No tiered systems or chatbots. Talk directly to the team that built the product for expert resolution at any hour.
Talk to our experts and discover why leading enterprises choose ToolJet as their trusted Retool alternative.
No credit card required
14-day free trial
Deploy in your cloud
Frequently asked questions about ToolJet vs Retool
Get clear answers to the most common questions about ToolJet, the AI-native, security-first Retool alternative built for enterprise teams. Learn how ToolJet compares to Retool software, pricing, integrations, AI capabilities, and deployment options.
1. How does ToolJet compare to other Retool alternatives?
2. Can I migrate from Retool to ToolJet?
3. Why choose ToolJet over traditional Retool alternatives?
4. How does ToolJet's AI ensure data security?
5. What if I need features beyond AI generation?
6. How does pricing compare to other Retool alternatives?
7. Can I self-host ToolJet like Retool self-hosted?
8. What integrations and data sources does ToolJet support?
9. How does ToolJet perform with large datasets?
10. Which AI models does ToolJet support?
11. What enterprise-grade security and compliance features are included?
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Office address
ToolJet Solutions Inc 1160 Battery St, Suite 100, San Francisco, California, 94111
Contact us
hello@tooljet.com
support@tooljet.com
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Copyright © 2025 ToolJet Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.
AI-powered apps,
built with AI
built with AI
Competitors
Services & support
Integration
Office address
ToolJet Solutions Inc, 1160 Battery St, Suite 100, San Francisco, California, 94111
Contact us
Copyright © 2025 ToolJet Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.