Retool has made app development accessible and easy for many. It’s a popular, low-code platform that transforms complex coding processes into streamlined workflows through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Even seasoned developers use it to experiment and showcase their expertise.
However, some app developers and interface designers have reservations about Retool’s recent shift to a subscription-based model. Others prefer platforms with more accessible and responsive customer support.
If you want to explore other low-code app development platforms, your search ends here. We’ve compiled the top 8 alternatives to Retool for app development.
We look at the features and pricing of each platform to help you find one that best matches your requirements.
- What Should You Look for in Retool Alternatives?
- Best Retool Alternatives to Use in 2024
- 1. Ply – Best for Software Augmentation
- 2. DronaHQ – Best Low Code Platform
- 3. Superblocks – Best to Build Internal Tools
- 4. OutSystems – Best Visual Development Environment
- 5. Appsmith – Best Open Source Alternative
- 6. Appian – Best for Low-Code Automation
- 7. UI Bakery – Best for UI
- 8. Microsoft Power Apps – Best for Standardized Data
- Other Software Development Tools
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for in Retool Alternatives?
Before diving into our top picks for Retool alternatives, here’s a curated list of features to guide you:
- Intuitive user experience: Seek alternatives with a user-friendly interface for a smooth and accessible app development journey. The platform should empower users across coding expertise levels with an easy-to-navigate experience
- Robust functionality: Look for tools that exceed your app development requirements. Drag-and-drop interfaces, versatile integrations, and support for diverse data sources are valuable features
- Tailored flexibility: The alternative should allow you to craft bespoke components, workflows, and interfaces, tailoring the development process to your project needs
- Scalability: Choose a platform that will accommodate the growing complexity and scale of your applications without compromising performance
- Collaboration capabilities: Opt for Retool alternatives that facilitate seamless teamwork, allowing multiple contributors to work concurrently using version control features
- Transparent pricing: Understand the cost implications of each alternative. Use free tiers or trial periods to look for platforms that align with your budget
- Fortified security measures: Prioritize options with advanced security features. The tool should comply with industry standards, especially when dealing with sensitive data
- Seamless integration capabilities: Choose a platform that integrates seamlessly with your preferred tools and services. This will ensure a cohesive workflow and seamless data exchange
- User-tested insights: Check the reviews. Real-world experiences from other users provide valuable perspectives on a platform’s strengths and potential pitfalls
Summarize this article for me pleaseBest Retool Alternatives to Use in 2024
Now that we know what to look for in Retool alternatives let’s check out the top 8 that hit the mark in 2024.
1. Ply – Best for Software Augmentation
Ply is a software augmentation platform that integrates customized solutions directly into existing apps. It is currently in its early beta phase.
Ply is known for using AI coding tools to complement your app features with contextual and easy-to-adopt solutions without coding expertise.
Ply best features
- Add buttons, custom features, and interfaces within your apps by using internal data
- Create notifications with custom, app-connected, post-click functionality
- Build a command bar to work with your business apps via a keyboard shortcut
- Personalize customer interactions by replacing conventional chats with data-fueled, in-app features
Ply limitations
- Beta software is not compatible with all hardware configurations or other software applications
Ply pricing
- Free: In the beta phase
Beta users can expect a discount after various pricing tiers are introduced.
Ply ratings and reviews
- G2: Not listed
- Capterra: Not listed
Ply is available to a limited group of users for testing and feedback. So, ratings and reviews are not publicly accessible at present.
2. DronaHQ – Best Low Code Platform
DronaHQ is a low-code application development platform that allows users to create, deploy, and manage business applications with minimal hand-coding and programming effort.
DronaHQ streamlines application development through an intuitive visual interface and prebuilt components.
DronaHQ best features
- Employ drag-and-drop components to design application interfaces easily
- Use prebuilt connectors to integrate data sources and third-party services seamlessly
- Design and automate business workflows compatible with multiple platforms
- Manage applications throughout their life cycles, ensuring reliable and scalable deployment
DronaHQ limitations
- Traditional coding necessary for complex customizations
- Inadequate optimization for real-time data processing
DronaHQ pricing
- User-based plans: Starts at $10/user per month
- Usage-based plans: Starts at $100/month
- Developer-only plans: Custom pricing
DronaHQ ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (37+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (10+ reviews)
3. Superblocks – Best to Build Internal Tools
Superblocks is a low-code platform for developers looking to easily create internal tool builders, workflows, and jobs quickly.
Superblocks focuses on speed, cost-effectiveness, and extensibility. Superblocks is enabling developers to create applications without extensive frontend expertise or learn languages like React, HTML, or CSS.
Superblocks best features
- Build tools 10x faster for a fraction of the cost, saving hundreds of developer hours
- Connect to different data sources using REST, GraphQL, or gRPC, promoting the integration of databases, third-party web apps, and internal APIs
- Automate workflows and schedule jobs by integrating data from various sources
- Create visually appealing interfaces through drag-and-drop components
Superblocks limitations
- Challenges with HTML migration
- Confusing sidebar navigation and UI builder
Superblocks pricing
- Free: For individual developers and small teams looking for an internal tools builder
- Pro
- $5/light user per month
- $15/standard user per month
- $49/creator per month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Superblocks ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (57+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not listed
4. OutSystems – Best Visual Development Environment
As a low-code application development platform, OutSystems covers the whole application lifecycle in a short development time. It allows organizations to quickly and efficiently build, deploy, and manage web and mobile applications.
The platform uses a visual development environment that enables developers to create applications with minimal hand-coding and manual programming.
OutSystems best features
- Accelerate application design, minimizing manual coding efforts for increased efficiency
- Deliver applications effortlessly on web, mobile, and desktop platforms, maintaining a unified development process
- Adapt to project size variations, ensuring suitability for both small-scale projects and large enterprise applications
OutSystems limitations
- Glitches in mobile app building
- High licensing costs
OutSystems pricing
- Single app: Free
- Multiple apps: Starts at $1,513 per month
- Large app portfolio: Custom pricing
OutSystems ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (991+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (376+ reviews)
5. Appsmith – Best Open Source Alternative
An open-source alternative to Retool , Appsmith is a web development framework that allows you to quickly build internal tools, dashboards, and business applications.
It stands out with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface that helps build user interfaces and connects to various databases and APIs to fetch and manipulate data.
Appsmith best features
- Create interfaces that are both attractive and functional without extensive coding or no code
- Streamline application development with prebuilt templates for common use cases
- Write custom JavaScript code to add custom logic or handle specific functionalities
Appsmith limitations
- Limited UI elements
- Challenging navigation between function calls in the backend
Appsmith pricing
- Free: For individual developers and small teams
- Business: $20/user per month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for large teams with diverse scale and support needs
Appsmith ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (25+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
6. Appian – Best for Low-Code Automation
Appian, a low-code automation platform, is noted for helping you develop unique applications rapidly.
Appian lets you create applications through a visual interface, reducing the need for extensive coding.
Appian streamlines the development process, making it faster and more accessible for users with varying levels of technical know-how.
Appian best features
- Design mobile-friendly applications to enhance user experience
- Integrate applications with other systems and data sources for seamless interoperability with your existing IT infrastructure
- Use analytics and reporting tools to monitor and analyze application performance for data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
Appian limitations
- Limited UI customization
- Inadequate support for code branching and merging
- Difficulty in managing configurations via API
Appian pricing
- Free: Appian Community Edition
- Application: Custom pricing for multiple user types
- Platform: Custom pricing for deploying many apps
- Unlimited: Custom pricing for unlimited apps
Appian ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (348+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (72+ reviews)
7. UI Bakery – Best for UI
UI Bakery is heavily focused on application development’s user interface (UI) aspect.
The platform is useful for individuals or teams with limited programming skills who want to create functional and visually appealing web applications.
UI Bakery best features
- Drag and drop components into dashboards
- Adjust the look and feel of dashboards without CSS
- Integrate your web app with any data source or third-party API without leaving the platform
- Build web apps on the server-side workflow automation using low code platform on top of one or multiple data sources
UI Bakery limitations
- Limited customization in prebuilt components
- Recurring UI bugs
- Lack of revision history (snapshots)
UI Bakery pricing
- Free: For up to five users
- Standard: $5/user per month; $10/developer per month
- Business: $10/user per month; $40/developer per month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
UI Bakery ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.9/5 (20+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
8. Microsoft Power Apps – Best for Standardized Data
Microsoft Power Apps is a suite of applications, connectors, and a data platform that provides a rapid application development environment to create custom internal apps for your business.
It is beneficial for offering a centralized and standardized data model to store and manage information.
MS Power Apps best features
- Streamline app development with drag-and-drop functionality, reducing the need for extensive coding skills
- Connect seamlessly with prebuilt connectors for smooth communication between Power Apps and external systems
- Maintain data integrity and consistency across applications by using the Common Data Service
MS Power Apps limitations
- Traditional development necessary for sophisticated applications
- Poor app responsiveness when handling large volumes of data
- Limited offline capabilities
- Limited custom coding
MS Power Apps pricing
- Developer plan: Free
- Power Apps Premium: $20/user per month
MS Power Apps ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (160+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (23+ reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseOther Software Development Tools
While Retool and similar platforms simplify coding processes, comprehensive platforms like ClickUp streamline your creative workflow, improve collaboration, and boost productivity.
ClickUp
ClickUp is a project management and productivity platform that is versatile and used for various purposes, including software development.
ClickUp effectively bridges the gap between development teams, offering all the essential features they need to manage projects efficiently.
With robust task management, Agile boards, and Gantt charts, ClickUp empowers developers to plan, track, and execute their work with a high degree of precision. Its integration with popular development tools ensures a smooth workflow, connecting version control systems.
Moreover, ClickUp’s customization options allow teams to tailor the platform to match their unique development processes.
But the platform isn’t just for technical teams. It fosters collaboration with non-technical teams in the same environment, which makes it ideal for software development, streamlined communication, efficient project execution, and overall success.
ClickUp AI helps generate summaries of tasks and threads and create action items based on the context of tasks. It is useful for copy editing and brainstorming, too.
ClickUp best features
- Create and manage tasks for different aspects of your software development project
- Organize your work using workspaces and projects, creating a hierarchical structure to manage all the phases of your software development process
- Build boards for tasks and projects using ClickUp ClickApps for work management. This is particularly useful for teams following Scrum or Kanban methodologies
- Monitor the time spent on each task and project to manage resources effectively
- Create custom fields, statuses, and workflows to match your specific software development process using ClickUp’s tools for software teams
ClickUp limitations
- Some new adopters note a steeper learning curve
- Limited customization options for specific features
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever: Ideal for small teams or those exploring ClickUp’s capabilities
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organizations
- ClickUp Brain: Available on all paid plans for $5/Workspace member/month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,201+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,948+ reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseNavigating Retool Alternatives for Streamlined App and Web Development
Exploring Retool alternatives is more than swapping one tool for another. It involves discovering a solution that brings multifaceted value.
As you think about your choices, consider going beyond mere app development to create an optimal workflow that will help you with higher efficiency.
ClickUp and its diverse feature set will help you achieve just that. Its software development, project management, and AI tools will further your app development process. So, try ClickUp today!
Remember, the finest tools address current challenges and open unforeseen possibilities! 🎉
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