What is Retool?

What Is Retool?

Retool is a low-code development platform designed specifically for building internal tools. Founded in 2017 by David Hsu in San Francisco, the company has raised over $445 million in funding (including a $200 million Series C in 2022). As of April 2026, Retool reports that thousands of companies use its platform, including Amazon, DoorDash, NBC Universal, and Brex.

How Retool Works

Retool provides a drag-and-drop interface with pre-built UI components (tables, forms, charts, buttons, modals, tabs, and more). Developers connect these components to data sources using SQL queries, REST/GraphQL API calls, or JavaScript, then bind query results to components. The result is a functional internal application built in hours rather than weeks.

Key Features

• 50+ UI components: Tables, forms, charts, maps, file uploaders, JSON explorers, and more
• 50+ data source integrations: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Snowflake, BigQuery, Salesforce, Stripe, Twilio, and REST/GraphQL APIs
• Retool Database: Built-in PostgreSQL database for apps that need their own data store
• Retool Workflows: Backend automation with scheduled jobs, webhooks, and multi-step logic
• Mobile apps: Build mobile-responsive internal tools
• Version control: Git-based versioning for team collaboration
• Granular permissions: Role-based access control per app, page, and component

Pricing (April 2026)

• Free: Up to 5 users, unlimited apps, Retool Database (5GB)
• Team: $10/standard user/month — unlimited users, version history, custom branding
• Business: $50/standard user/month — SSO, audit logs, environments, source control
• Enterprise: Custom pricing — on-premises deployment, HIPAA, SOC 2 Type II, dedicated support

Common Use Cases

Retool is used for building admin panels, customer support dashboards, order management interfaces, approval workflows, data entry tools, and reporting consoles. It targets engineering teams that need to build internal tools quickly without dedicating front-end resources.

Limitations

Retool is designed for internal tools, not customer-facing applications. It is not suitable for public websites, consumer mobile apps, or applications requiring custom branding beyond basic theming. Teams needing customer-facing low-code platforms may consider Bubble, Softr, or custom development instead.