Retool

AI Coding

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What is Retool

Retool eliminates months of development cycles for internal tools. It's an AI-powered platform that turns natural language descriptions into production-ready applications, workflows, and agents that work with your data, your systems, and your rules.

Your internal software ships in minutes, not months. Describe what you need in natural language and Retool's AI AppGen generates functional components and logic. Connect any database, API, vector store, or LLM while maintaining enterprise-grade security. From admin panels to AI agents, the platform handles complexity so teams focus on solving business problems.

The value is measurable: DoorDash saved $6M and 36,000+ hours, Ramp saved $8M and 20,000+ hours, OrangeTheory reduced dev time 10x across 1,600 studios. Over 10,000 companies from startups to Fortune 500 run their business on Retool because it delivers production-grade internal software without the engineering bottlenecks.

Retool Features

AI AppGen generates apps from natural language prompts. Describe requirements and Retool translates inputs into functional components and logic schema-aware and contextually grounded.
AI Agents with autonomous capabilities including web search, tool integration, and multi-step reasoning. Build intelligent agents that execute complex workflows without constant human guidance.
Connect to everything: databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, BigQuery, DynamoDB, Snowflake), APIs (REST, GraphQL, SOAP), vector stores, and LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Cohere, AWS, Azure). Optimize cost and performance with the best model for every use case.
Drag-and-drop canvas with 100+ pre-built components including tables, forms, charts, and AI-specific UI elements. Real components that work, not mockups.
Full code customization with integrated IDE. Write, edit, and debug JavaScript and Python directly. Insert custom code anywhere without platform restrictions.
Workflows automate backend processes with scheduled triggers, webhooks, and event-driven execution. Handle data processing, integrations, and business logic without building infrastructure.
Mobile apps for iOS and Android with offline mode, push notifications, biometric authentication, and white-label options. Build once, deploy everywhere.
Source control integration with Git for version control, branch management, and team collaboration. Standard developer workflows with CI/CD support.
Enterprise security with SAML/OpenID Connect SSO, granular permissions, audit logging, and role-based access control. Deploy in your cloud or Retool's infrastructure.
Self-hosting options deploy Retool in private networks with full control over data and infrastructure. On-premises, private cloud, or hybrid deployments available.
Database included with unlimited rows and tables. Visual database editor, connection strings, and schema migrations built-in.
Environments system manages development, staging, and production with independent configurations and data sources.

Best Use Cases

Operations teams building admin panels and CRUD apps. Replace fragile spreadsheets with robust applications connected to real databases.
Data teams creating interactive dashboards beyond traditional BI. Build apps that read and write data using SQL with real-time updates.
AI and ML teams building model performance monitors, content moderation tools, and document processing workflows. Integrate LLMs with production-grade reliability.
Support teams managing customer data and tickets. DoorDash saved $6M building custom support tools that triage issues and track resolutions.
Finance operations processing invoices and approvals. Ramp saved $8M automating financial workflows with Retool applications.
Healthcare organizations scaling patient management. UTMB Health achieved 10x increase in patients treated with custom clinical tools.
Enterprise IT reducing development time. OrangeTheory cut dev time 10x across 1,600 studios replacing vendor lock-in with flexible internal tools.

Pros and Cons of Retool

Pros of Using Retool

AI AppGen ships functional apps from text descriptions in minutes. Proven $6M+ savings by DoorDash and Ramp demonstrate real ROI.
Universal connectivity to databases, APIs, vector stores, and LLMs. No custom integration development needed for standard sources.
100+ pre-built components eliminate frontend boilerplate. Tables, forms, charts, and AI-specific UI elements work out of the box.
Full code access with integrated IDE. Write JavaScript and Python anywhere without platform restrictions when customization needed.
Enterprise security included at all tiers. SAML SSO, audit logs, and granular permissions without premium lock-in.
Source control integration maintains standard developer workflows. Git, CI/CD, testing, and debugging work as expected.
Self-hosting option keeps sensitive data in private infrastructure. Deploy in your cloud with full control.
Environments system manages dev, staging, and production cleanly. Independent configurations prevent deployment mistakes.
Mobile apps included without separate platform. Build once for iOS and Android with offline support and biometric auth.

Considerations to Keep in Mind

Learning curve for non-technical users building complex apps. While AI generation helps, understanding data relationships and logic still required.
AI prompting credits limited by plan tier. Free has 100 monthly credits, Team gets 200, with unlimited currently available but subject to change.
Standard users cost more than end users. Pricing differentiation means builders pay higher rates than app consumers.
Workflow runs capped on lower tiers. Free limited to 500 runs monthly, Team at 5,000, requiring Business for unlimited automation.
Self-hosting only on Enterprise plans. Managed cloud deployment mandatory for Free, Team, and Business tiers.
Custom branding requires Enterprise. White-labeling not available on lower pricing tiers.
Mobile offline mode and push notifications only on paid plans. Free tier lacks advanced mobile features.

Pricing and Plans

Retool offers four plans with differentiated pricing for builders versus end users.

Free tier: $0/month with up to 5 users, unlimited web and mobile apps, 500 workflow runs monthly, 5GB data storage, 20 agent hours monthly, and 100 AI prompting credits per user. Perfect for testing and small teams.
Team plan: €9/month per standard user (€5 per end user) with unlimited apps, 5,000 workflow runs monthly, staging environment, app release versions, and 200 AI prompting credits per user. Best for growing teams.
Business plan: €46/month per standard user (€14 per end user) with audit logging, rich permission controls, portals and embedded apps, unlimited environments, unlimited modules, and 200 AI prompting credits per user. Most popular for teams needing control.
Enterprise: custom pricing with SAML/OpenID SSO, source control integration, custom branding, independent workspaces, platform APIs, volume discounts, dedicated support, and 400 AI prompting credits per user. For organizations operating at scale.

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External user pricing: 0-50 free, 51-250 at €7.33/month, 251-500 at €5.41/month, 500+ at €3.60/month with bulk discounts available.

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Why Developers Love Retool

AI AppGen ships production apps from text in minutes.
Universal connectivity eliminates custom integration development.
Full code access maintains developer control and flexibility.
Standard workflows with Git and CI/CD integrate existing processes.
Proven ROI with measurable savings from Fortune 500 companies.