In This Comparison
72% of organisations have adopted AI in at least one business function
Source: McKinsey 2025
40-60% reduction in operational costs with AI automation
Source: McKinsey 2025
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Retool | Tooljet |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | Cloud and paid | Open-source |
| Pricing | $10/user/mo | $20/user/mo (cloud) |
| Components | Extensive library | Good library |
| Best For | Polished internal tools | Self-hosted internal tools |
| Self-Hosting | Enterprise only | Free self-hosting |
Retool
- Open Source
- Cloud and paid
- Pricing
- $10/user/mo
- Components
- Extensive library
- Best For
- Polished internal tools
- Self-Hosting
- Enterprise only
Tooljet
- Open Source
- Open-source
- Pricing
- $20/user/mo (cloud)
- Components
- Good library
- Best For
- Self-hosted internal tools
- Self-Hosting
- Free self-hosting
Winner by Category
Best for Polish
RetoolMore refined components and better documentation
Best for Openness
TooljetOpen-source with free self-hosting option
Best for Components
RetoolLarger and more polished component library
Our Recommendation
Choose Retool for the most polished internal tool building experience. Pick Tooljet for open-source flexibility and free self-hosting.
“The best tool depends on what you are building and how you work. There is no universal winner. Pick the one that fits your workflow and budget, then ship something.”
When to Choose Each Tool
Choose Retool
Want the most polished internal tool builder
Choose Tooljet
Need open-source with self-hosting
Overview
Retool and Tooljet are both platforms for building internal business tools like admin panels, dashboards, and data management interfaces. Retool is the market leader with a polished interface and extensive component library. Tooljet is an open-source alternative that can be self-hosted for free, making it attractive for teams that need control over their infrastructure.
Open-Source Advantage
Tooljet's open-source model means you can inspect the code, contribute features, and host it on your own infrastructure at no cost. This is significant for organisations with data residency requirements or those who want to avoid vendor lock-in. Retool offers self-hosting only on enterprise plans, making Tooljet the accessible choice for self-hosted deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tooljet as good as Retool?
Tooljet is capable but not as polished. Retool has more components, better documentation, and a more refined editing experience.
Can I self-host Retool?
Only on enterprise plans. Tooljet can be self-hosted for free using Docker or Kubernetes.
Which has better database connections?
Both connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, REST APIs, and more. Retool supports slightly more data sources out of the box.
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