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Appsmith vs Retool
Retool is a commercial low-code platform with a focus on pre-built connectors and a hosted SaaS model, while Appsmith is open-source and self-hostable.
Which to pick
Pick Appsmith if you want…
- Open-source low-code internal tools
- Community-driven internal tool builder
- Open-source code (appsmithorg/appsmith on GitHub, Apache-2.0 license)
- Integrations with Snowflake, GraphQL or Salesforce (on Appsmith's list, not Retool's)
Pick Retool if you want…
- Low-code internal tool builder with governance
- Integrations with PostgreSQL, Stripe or GitHub (on Retool's list, not Appsmith's)
Appsmith: Open-source platform with similar low-code UI for internal apps
Side by side
- What it is
- Appsmith:Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform to build internal tools and custom apps faster.
- Retool:Retool lets you build, deploy, and manage internal tools that connect directly to databases, APIs, and LLMs.
- Best for
- Appsmith:Open-source low-code internal tools
- Retool:Low-code internal tool builder with governance
- Who it’s for
- Appsmith:Developers and teams building internal dashboards, admin panels, and workflow apps.
- Retool:Product teams, engineers, and analysts building internal apps quickly
- Pricing
- Appsmith:Freemium
- Retool:Freemium
- Plans
- Appsmith:Free $0 · Business $15 per month per user · Enterprise $2,500 per month · Community Free
- Retool:Free $0 · Team $10 per builder/month · Business $50 per builder/month
- Open source
- Appsmith:Yes, 40,983 GitHub stars
- Retool:—
- Works with
- Appsmith:Snowflake, GraphQL, Salesforce, Google SSO, Okta, Auth0, Active Directory
- Retool:PostgreSQL, Stripe, Okta, Active Directory, GitHub, Segment, Google Analytics
Appsmith features
- Drag-and-drop UI builder. Assemble responsive interfaces with widgets, then customize them in JS/HTML/CSS.
- Full JavaScript customization. Add logic, manipulate data, and import external libraries using a built-in IDE.
- Broad data connectivity. Connect to any database, SaaS service, or REST/GraphQL API, including LLMs.
- Git version control & CI/CD. Sync apps to Git, manage branches, and deploy automatically with CI pipelines.
- Enterprise security & governance. Role-based access, SAML/OIDC SSO, SCIM provisioning, audit logs, SOC 2 Type II compliance.
- Self-hosting & air-gapped options. Run Appsmith on your own infrastructure for secure internal data access.
- Embeddable apps with shared logins. Embed public or private apps inside existing products using shared authentication.
- AI-assisted development. Copilot prompts generate widget code and workflow logic for faster prototyping.
Retool features
- Unified app builder. Create production-ready internal apps via a visual UI or AI-generated prompts.
- AI agents integration. Use MCP server or CLI to build apps with AI agents and deploy within Retool.
- Direct data connections. Connect securely to any database, API, or LLM with existing permissions.
- Governance & security. Built-in auth, RBAC, audit logs, and SSO for enterprise compliance.
- Workflow automation. Design and run automated workflows with triggers, steps, and scheduling.
- Mobile & offline support. Deploy native iOS/Android/PWA apps with offline mode and push notifications.
- Reusable modules & themes. Share components, queries, and visual themes across apps.
- Versioning & source control. Track releases, revert changes, and integrate with Git.
Appsmith vs Retool FAQ
Is Appsmith or Retool free?+
Appsmith has a free plan; paid plans start at $2500/month (Enterprise). Retool has a free plan and paid plans.
Is Appsmith or Retool open source?+
Appsmith is open source (appsmithorg/appsmith on GitHub, Apache-2.0 license). DevHunt has no public source repository on record for Retool.
Do Appsmith and Retool integrate with the same tools?+
Partly. Both list Okta and Active Directory. Appsmith also lists Snowflake, GraphQL, Salesforce, Google SSO and 1 more; Retool also lists PostgreSQL, Stripe, GitHub, Segment and 1 more.
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.