Developers and technical teams building internal tools, since it expects SQL queries, API connections and occasional JavaScript rather than pure drag-and-drop.

Does Retool support AI?

Yes. Retool AI adds AI actions and agent building, letting internal tools call models to draft text, classify records or run multi-step tasks.

What can Retool connect to?

Most SQL databases, REST and GraphQL APIs, and many SaaS data sources, which lets one tool combine several backends.

Retool is more flexible and developer-focused for internal tools with real logic; Glide is no-code and better for non-technical app building.

Can Retool be self-hosted?

Yes. Retool offers self-hosting for teams that need data to stay in their own infrastructure, at the cost of maintaining that environment.

Platform · workspace nocode

Retool

Build internal tools fast by wiring databases and APIs to drag-and-drop UI

est. 2017United StatesAI ecosystem: high2 AI tools fit

Visit Retool→retool.com

The verdict

Retool helps developers assemble internal tools by connecting databases and APIs to pre-built UI components. It now includes AI actions and agent building on top.

What it is

Retool gives developers a library of UI components and connects them to SQL databases, REST and GraphQL APIs, so an admin panel or ops dashboard comes together in hours not weeks. You write queries and small JavaScript snippets where needed, which makes it far more flexible than purely no-code builders. AI actions and agents let tools call models as part of a workflow. The cost is audience: it assumes SQL and API comfort, so non-technical users will struggle where a block-based builder would suit them better.

Strengths

Connects directly to SQL databases and REST or GraphQL APIs as a real backend
JavaScript snippets allow logic that pure no-code tools cannot express
A large component library means admin panels and dashboards assemble quickly

Trade-offs

Assumes SQL and API knowledge, so non-developers face a steep climb
Per-user and usage pricing can rise quickly across a larger team
Self-hosting for data control adds infrastructure to maintain

Best for

Custom internal tools that must query real databases and APIs with meaningful logic

Not for

Non-technical users wanting a fully no-code builder, or simple customer-facing apps

AI tools that fit Retool

Scored on how well each tool actually works with Retool — integration depth, workflow fit, and real adoption. Higher is better.

ChatGPT

AI Coding Assistant

7.3

HubSpot

AI-powered CRM

6.3

See the full AI tool guide for Retool→

The AI ecosystem

Connects to most SQL databases, REST/GraphQL APIs and many SaaS data sources; AI actions and agents call LLMs inside tools.

Public API

Pricing

Free tier; paid plans (Team, Business, Enterprise) priced per user/usage (roughly from the low tens of dollars per user per month upward). Enterprise custom.

Free

up to 5 users
core features

Team

$10/mo

per standard user
version control

Business

$50/mo

per standard user
modules
staging

Enterprise

Custom

SSO
audit logs
scale

What people build with it

internal admin toolsops dashboardsdatabase front-endsapi-driven appsai actions in tools

Frequently asked

Who is Retool for?: Developers and technical teams building internal tools, since it expects SQL queries, API connections and occasional JavaScript rather than pure drag-and-drop.
Does Retool support AI?: Yes. Retool AI adds AI actions and agent building, letting internal tools call models to draft text, classify records or run multi-step tasks.
What can Retool connect to?: Most SQL databases, REST and GraphQL APIs, and many SaaS data sources, which lets one tool combine several backends.
Retool or Glide?: Retool is more flexible and developer-focused for internal tools with real logic; Glide is no-code and better for non-technical app building.
Can Retool be self-hosted?: Yes. Retool offers self-hosting for teams that need data to stay in their own infrastructure, at the cost of maintaining that environment.