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Retool

By Retool

4.6 out of 5 stars

How would you rate your experience with Retool?

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Retool Pros and Cons: Top Advantages and Disadvantages

Quick AI Summary Based on G2 Reviews

Generated from real user reviews

Users find Retool's ease of use exceptional, allowing quick app development with minimal coding effort. (131 mentions)
Users appreciate the seamless integration of code and UI in Retool, enabling rapid development of efficient web applications. (59 mentions)
Users value the intuitive functionality of Retool, enabling swift app development with minimal coding effort. (54 mentions)
Users love the easy creation process in Retool, transforming ideas into functional applications effortlessly. (52 mentions)
Users value the seamless integration in Retool, enabling efficient connections to tools and data for rapid app development. (50 mentions)
Users love the easy integrations of Retool, enabling quick data connections and efficient app building. (49 mentions)
Users find the missing features in Retool restrict their ability to customize and fully utilize the platform. (35 mentions)
Users find the learning curve steep, as mastering unit testing and scripting can be quite challenging. (33 mentions)
Users find limited customization options in Retool, which can hinder specific needs during component configuration. (28 mentions)
Users find the learning difficulty challenging, particularly with advanced features and some confusing UI elements. (24 mentions)
Users experience performance issues with Retool, noting latency, slowness with data load, and clunky code editing. (24 mentions)

Top Pros or Advantages of Retool

1. Ease of Use
Users find Retool's ease of use exceptional, allowing quick app development with minimal coding effort.
See 131 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Juan Pablo R.
JR

Juan Pablo R.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Build dashboards and applications as easy as 1,2,3."

What do you like about Retool?

The power to build powerful applications with very little code. It's intuitive to use and with basic SQL you can do so many things.

Tony T.
TT

Tony T.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Fast and Reliable way to build internal tools"

What do you like about Retool?

It's very simple and easy to use. Everything is just drag and drop with a little Javascript and you will have your app running. Retool saved us a lot

2. Features
Users appreciate the seamless integration of code and UI in Retool, enabling rapid development of efficient web applications.
See 59 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Sayyid A.
SA

Sayyid A.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Alternative to building desktop software or custom web apps"

What do you like about Retool?

With as little code as possible, I'm able to implemenent commonly used functionalities in a matter of minutes, with a drag and drop interface. I have

Verified User
T

Verified User

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.0/5

"Definitely the best best of low code solutions"

What do you like about Retool?

I like the transparent integration between code and UI (actually writing and seeing the code). Retool is by far the best and quickest way to create s

3. Functionality
Users value the intuitive functionality of Retool, enabling swift app development with minimal coding effort.
See 54 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Sayyid A.
SA

Sayyid A.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Alternative to building desktop software or custom web apps"

What do you like about Retool?

With as little code as possible, I'm able to implemenent commonly used functionalities in a matter of minutes, with a drag and drop interface. I have

Juan Pablo R.
JR

Juan Pablo R.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Build dashboards and applications as easy as 1,2,3."

What do you like about Retool?

The power to build powerful applications with very little code. It's intuitive to use and with basic SQL you can do so many things.

4. Easy Creation
Users love the easy creation process in Retool, transforming ideas into functional applications effortlessly.
See 52 mentions

See Related User Reviews

ali-reza M.
AM

ali-reza M.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

3.0/5

"great for quick get up and go development"

What do you like about Retool?

that I can develop without having to think about how everything else will work with it

Preston L.
PL

Preston L.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Outstanding platform without outstanding capabilities."

What do you like about Retool?

The ease with which to build on ideas and creativity. Simplest solution to go from idea to production. If you have an idea, very high likelihood it ca

5. Integration
Users value the seamless integration in Retool, enabling efficient connections to tools and data for rapid app development.
See 50 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Sayyid A.
SA

Sayyid A.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Alternative to building desktop software or custom web apps"

What do you like about Retool?

With as little code as possible, I'm able to implemenent commonly used functionalities in a matter of minutes, with a drag and drop interface. I have

Verified User
U

Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

4.5/5

"Great tool to quickly spin up apps that connect to your company's data"

What do you like about Retool?

Connecting to data and APIs is straightforward, which makes it great for quickly building internal tools that require access to existing company data.

6. Easy Integrations
Users love the easy integrations of Retool, enabling quick data connections and efficient app building.
See 49 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Sayyid A.
SA

Sayyid A.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Alternative to building desktop software or custom web apps"

What do you like about Retool?

With as little code as possible, I'm able to implemenent commonly used functionalities in a matter of minutes, with a drag and drop interface. I have

Sunny R.
SR

Sunny R.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Seamless Integration with Looker"

What do you like about Retool?

The seamless integration with Looker was one of the best things. With this we were able to directly pull looker datasets regarding associates' product

Top Cons or Disadvantages of Retool

1. Missing Features
Users find the missing features in Retool restrict their ability to customize and fully utilize the platform.
See 35 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Felipe P.
FP

Felipe P.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

3.5/5

"Retool is an excelent tool to create flexible dashboards"

What do you dislike about Retool?

I personally think that Retool should add support for more data sources that are still missing, or give the ability to add custom sources by setting u

Verified User
U

Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"A User-Friendly Solution for Fast, Branded Internal Tools"

What do you dislike about Retool?

On the downside, as a designer, there are a few areas for improvement, like reducing the number of clicks needed to reach certain goals and offering a

2. Learning Curve
Users find the learning curve steep, as mastering unit testing and scripting can be quite challenging.
See 33 mentions

See Related User Reviews

AJ

Andrew J.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.0/5

"Powerful, flexible and reasonably easy to use"

What do you dislike about Retool?

It is sometimes difficult to get the code and scripting correct for what I am needing, but this is likely more due to my lack of knowledge than the pl

Preston L.
PL

Preston L.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Outstanding platform without outstanding capabilities."

What do you dislike about Retool?

The underlying unit testing is challenging. Being able to write a new module and test it with a set of test data is hard. Additionally, versioning cod

3. Limited Customization
Users find limited customization options in Retool, which can hinder specific needs during component configuration.
See 28 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Verified User
U

Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"A User-Friendly Solution for Fast, Branded Internal Tools"

What do you dislike about Retool?

On the downside, as a designer, there are a few areas for improvement, like reducing the number of clicks needed to reach certain goals and offering a

Verified User
A

Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"A great tool for startups to quickly create internal tools to scale with"

What do you dislike about Retool?

It can be a bit cumbersome at time with menus and trying to find how to configure certain add-ons to components.

4. Learning Difficulty
Users find the learning difficulty challenging, particularly with advanced features and some confusing UI elements.
See 24 mentions

See Related User Reviews

AJ

Andrew J.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.0/5

"Powerful, flexible and reasonably easy to use"

What do you dislike about Retool?

It is sometimes difficult to get the code and scripting correct for what I am needing, but this is likely more due to my lack of knowledge than the pl

Verified User
U

Verified User

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

4.0/5

"Retool is a powerful and versatile low-code platform."

What do you dislike about Retool?

The learning curve for advanced features can be steep, which might be challenging for less experienced users.

5. Performance Issues
Users experience performance issues with Retool, noting latency, slowness with data load, and clunky code editing.
See 24 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Verified User
T

Verified User

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.0/5

"Definitely the best best of low code solutions"

What do you dislike about Retool?

1. Error logging is a bit lacking compared to writing app by code (still a lot better than all other low code solutions) 2. Apps can get a bit slow w

Verified User
U

Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

4.0/5

"Retool: Avenue for metrics tracking and dashboard creation"

What do you dislike about Retool?

latency, lags in database, aesthetically not very pleasing

Retool Reviews (346)

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Reviews

Retool Reviews (346)

View 1 Video Reviews
4.6
346 reviews
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G2 reviews are authentic and verified.
HZ
"Intuitive and powerful tool"
What do you like best about Retool?

I appreciate how Retool enables us to build intuitive and multi-functional interfaces in a very short amount of time. Its capacity to construct strong workflows that effectively call APIs to interact with our working environment really stands out for me. I love that it's capable of not only connecting with agents to execute diverse tasks such as web searching and summarizing but also of calling or updating data resources seamlessly. The powerful agent feature is a remarkable aspect of Retool, and its quick learning curve makes it extremely accessible and easy to master. I find the inspirations provided by Retool particularly helpful. Moreover, the initial setup was very easy, which I highly value. Overall, my experience with Retool has been overwhelmingly positive, and I would highly recommend it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

I would like to improve documentation for workflow and response time of asking AI assist Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Jason B.
JB
"Empowers Rapid Tool Building with Ease"
What do you like best about Retool?

I really appreciate how Retool facilitates exposing data to a diverse range of stakeholders through a self-service, app-like interface. This capability significantly enhances cross-functional collaboration, as it enables all parties, regardless of their technical expertise, to engage with data effectively. The platform’s ease of use makes it a wonderful tool that doesn't impose limits on creativity or functionality, which I find extremely valuable. The power Retool provides is evident as it empowers a single developer to achieve what typically might require the effort of two to three developers. Furthermore, its robust connectivity is impressive; I'm able to connect with virtually any datastore, making it versatile for various applications. It also efficiently sends information to trigger jobs or pipelines, allowing seamless integration with other processes. Overall, Retool stands out for me in terms of boosting productivity and operational efficiency. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

I would like to see improved documentation and potentially examples similar to those available in complex frameworks like D3. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Aaron R.
AR
IT Systems Engineer
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Retool is excellent to use"
What do you like best about Retool?

I think one of the best things about Retool is how it empowers developers to build internal tools quickly and efficiently. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to connect with various data sources and APIs without needing to start from scratch. Plus, the ability to customize components using JavaScript offers a great balance between speed and flexibility, allowing for robust applications that can adapt to specific business needs. Overall, it streamlines the process of tool development, making it accessible even for teams with limited resources. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

Somewhat complex for new users, especially those who aren’t familiar with JavaScript or backend concepts. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Camilo M.
CM
Business Intelligence Analyst
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Has helped me "wow" everyone at every job I've had."
What do you like best about Retool?

The ease and speed in which you can deploy very impressive internal apps is something that I have never experienced before. It has honestly changed the way I look at internal tools and helped me wow all my bosses in every single job I've ever had. Has also boosted my creativity when it comes to finding creative solutions to any software/tool problem I or the company I'm working for faces :) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

There really isn't any significant downside, the only thing is that it might be a bit limited when it comes to base customization of things, however with the custom components and some cool workarounds you can basically do everything you'd ever want. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Thabang M.
TM
Entrepreneur
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Dream To Reality with Retool"
What do you like best about Retool?

I was at beginner level in coding and still am. I used it for a week and had my app done within that time frame. Very easy to use. Simple. I have managed to make a mobile app that I can pilot and use.The Implentation of compoenets and widget tools was very easy to use. In editing, colouring, fraimng my pages for each its use. Watch the space because something life changing for us, the people.... is coming. I'm definetely going to recommend this to my friends and family. If you have an Idea, do not be afraid to put it to good use. My first ever app and honestly, Im proud of what I see. Thank you Retool!! You have a lifetime friend overhere. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

Had a few errors in the beginning as some tools were hard to use but after persistence I managed to get exactly what I wanted. Honestly, the only dislike is that I cant make it into an apk file and be able to share and use it as , not everyone i shared with for pilot use was keen on wanting to hace to download the app then open via a link after creating an account. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Donghwa L.
DL
Product Manager
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Fastest Way to Build Internal Tools with Real-Time Data Access"
What do you like best about Retool?

Retool significantly reduces the time required to build internal dashboards and admin panels. The drag-and-drop UI makes it easy to lay out components, while the ability to write custom JavaScript enables flexible logic. We were able to connect to our database and internal APIs within minutes. The built-in components (like tables, forms, and modals) are polished and production-ready, which saved us days of front-end work. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

While Retool is very capable, there are occasional layout limitations that may require minor workarounds. Pricing could also be a consideration for teams that are rapidly scaling. For more complex workflows, non-engineers might find the logic setup slightly challenging at first — though the documentation and community support help bridge that gap. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

George K.
GK
Automation Consultant
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"A great tool for developers who want to leverage abstraction and built-in front-end components"
What do you like best about Retool?

I really enjoy the variety of components that come inside the app editor. I like the fact that they focus on technical people (i.e. developers) who speak the same language, yet they empower them with the right features they need to build internal tools faster and seamlessly. Most things are customizable and easily managed with coding! Although I like to use niche tools each focused on solving a specific problem, I have been enjoying how Retool combines various elements of a platform development process (e.g. built-in dashboard, file storage, automation workflows and email).

Their community forum and support are great, as a result of both contributing members and Retool experts! Moreover, their pricing plans are generous. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

It can get quite pricey if you want to deploy an app to the public that is focused on external users. It is best for building internal tools. Even if I built an internal app, I would have liked to have the ability to share a public URL instead of inviting my colleagues to sign up and join. At the same time, I find that sometimes the app editor is lagging and could respond faster. Last but not least, I tried adding their Mapbox component, but I didn't have the option to customize it fully. I will need to develop one myself in React and then add it to my Retool app. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Logistics and Supply Chain
AL
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Retool makes me feel like a team of 10 :)"
What do you like best about Retool?

Retool is honestly one of the best tools I’ve worked with in the last few years. It’s crazy how easy it is to build powerful internal apps or middleware without getting lost in boilerplate code or endless setup.

A few years ago, building what I can now do with Retool would’ve taken a full team, but now I can do it all myself in a fraction of the time.

The UI is intuitive, connecting to APIs or databases is fast, and scripting logic into your tools is quick.

I’ve used it to automate tasks, build dashboards, and link systems together that didn’t talk before, and it just works very very well.

If you’re looking to move fast and flexible, and enjoy building tools, give Retool a try: it’s a productivity boost I didn’t know I needed.

AAA+ for me. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

NO FTP CLIENT INTEGRATION! :)

Please give it to us!!! (legacy enterprises still use it) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Hugo L.
HL
Owner, founder
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Retool can truly be used in every way possible for software development!"
What do you like best about Retool?

Retool makes all front-end work very simple, which saves a lot of time that I can dedicate to developing background processes. With the help of Workflows and custom queries, it becomes much easier for a programming beginner like me. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

Sometimes, it can be challenging to create fully customized processes, but the ability to write JavaScript and CSS everywhere makes this manageable. The Retool team constantly improves the platform based on user needs, adding great new features—like the recent Multi-Page App support, which has been highly appreciated! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Financial Services
UF
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Versatile approach for quick solutions"
What do you like best about Retool?

The thing I love about Retool is that allows you to solve operational issues in a pretty straightforward way: "can we solve it with a retool?" If the answer is no, then we automatically justify assigning proper resources to a given development.

Retool is so powerful in its applications yet so simple in its implementations, that 90% of the regular problems that could arise in production can be handled by an app that can regularly be completed in under an hour (without aesthetic efforts). If you cannot make it easily in Retool, perhaps you shouldn't make it in Retool

Be it interacting with your DB, your backend, making specific calculations, working with your cloud provider, Retool is the path to avoid relying on scripts in some intern's laptop. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Retool?

Honestly, only my biased dislike of javascript, as it is the used for pretty much anything that is not an out-of-the-box interaction for a given element. Besides that point (which is really not an issue), Retool is great for what it does. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.