# The 7 Best Retool Alternatives in 2026

- Tool: Tool Comparisons
- Last updated: August 2026

## TL;DR

For most teams leaving Retool over per-user pricing, the answer is open source: Appsmith is the best self-hostable internal-tools builder, with Budibase and Tooljet close behind. Glide and Softr are easier for non-developers building lighter apps and portals, UI Bakery is a hosted low-code pick, and Windmill suits script-heavy workflows. Prices and tiers are as of 2026.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best open-source Retool alternative?

Appsmith is the leading open-source, self-hostable choice, with broad database and API connectors and JavaScript throughout. Budibase and Tooljet are strong open-source options too — Budibase adds a built-in database, and Tooljet includes workflow automation. All three let you self-host and own the tool.

### Is there a Retool alternative for non-developers?

Yes. Glide and Softr are far easier for non-technical users. Glide turns spreadsheets and databases into polished apps, and Softr builds portals and internal tools on Airtable or Google Sheets. Both trade some of Retool's data and logic power for approachability.

### Why do teams look for Retool alternatives?

The most common reasons are per-user pricing that adds up at team scale, wanting an open-source or self-hostable tool they can own, and Retool feeling too developer-oriented. Practical quirks like setValue() being async and transformers not triggering queries also frustrate some builders.

### Which Retool alternative is cheapest?

Self-hosting Appsmith, Budibase, Tooljet or Windmill is effectively free apart from your own server costs, which usually beats Retool's per-user pricing at scale. Among hosted tools, Glide starts at $19/mo and UI Bakery often works out cheaper than Retool for larger teams.

### Can these tools connect to my database?

Yes. Appsmith and Tooljet have broad connector support for databases (Postgres, MySQL, Mongo) and REST/GraphQL APIs, similar to Retool. Budibase includes its own database plus external connectors, while Glide and Softr focus on spreadsheet-style data sources like Airtable and Sheets.

### Should I build internal tools myself or get help?

For straightforward dashboards and CRUD tools, these builders let a small team move fast. For complex, secure, or heavily integrated internal systems, the setup can get involved. If you'd rather not build and maintain it yourself, RapidDev can build internal tools and admin panels for you.

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Source: https://www.rapidevelopers.com/vs/retool-alternatives
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