We used Retool as an administrative tool. It was an internal use case. We used it to manage appointments. We used the admin panel. It would have taken a lot of time if we had wanted to create our own admin panel. We would have also needed a developer to manage it.
Retool
RetoolExternal reviews
External reviews are not included in the AWS star rating for the product.
Highly recommended tool for easily building functional apps from prototypes.
Retool Review
Best No Code Tool
Retool team keeps on releasing updates providing more and more features to the users.
It's benefitting in terms of reduced time of development and thereby saving developer's cost
Amazing tool
Enables users to create dashboards effortlessly, but the frequent change in the components impact the development experience
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
The tool helps us create many small dashboards in a very short time,
What is most valuable?
The product is quite simple to use. We can create the dashboards quickly. The tool enables users to connect with the backend effortlessly. If a small company does not have a developer and wants to manage its administrator panel, it can use Retool.
What needs improvement?
We sometimes have unexpected errors. The components are changed frequently, which is very irritating. There are multiple versions, which disturbs the development experience. The vendor provides the diffs. We can check the last and current work done. However, since the components are updated rapidly, many changes in the diff are not related to our development.
The diff shown must be based on what I am changing in the components. As a developer, I often check the diff that I am about to release, and I see a lot of changes that I did not make. It is shown due to the changes in the version of the component. The vendor must also enable developers to use normal coding languages instead of dropdown types of components.
If we release a new change and a user is working on an old version, we can forcefully ask the user to alert the user regarding the new version. It would be good if the solution asked the users to refresh their pages instead. If we release anything, the tool can show a pop-up to every user using the older version and ask them to refresh it. So, the users can save their work if they are doing something critical and easily get the latest version of the component by refreshing their page.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product breaks down four to five times every year. I rate the stability a seven out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have more than 50 users in our organization. The product’s scalability is good.
How are customer service and support?
The support team is very good. The support persons are responsive. The support team always helps me whenever I face a problem.
How was the initial setup?
I mostly use the web version.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The tool is a little bit expensive. It is worth the money, though.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We tried the mobile version to build a third-party application, but the app was not stable. So, we dropped it and used Flutter instead.
What other advice do I have?
I will recommend the tool to others based on their requirements. It is suitable for companies that do not have developers and require admin panels. Overall, I rate the solution a seven and a half out of ten.
Platform to build internal tools for businesses
Great Tool, sometimes frustrating
Its focus lies in building dashboards for cloud operations and data management, as well as generating analytical reports
What is our primary use case?
Retool is a versatile tool used for creating internal dashboards across various types of companies, whether big or small. Its focus lies in building dashboards for cloud operations and data management, as well as generating analytical reports. Use cases vary depending on the company's needs, but Retool offers extensive integration APIs to connect with numerous data sources.
What is most valuable?
There are several key aspects to Retool that make it stand out. Firstly, its extensive range of components makes integration straightforward. Secondly, its support for SQL and JavaScript allows for the implementation of complex logic, which is particularly beneficial for developers like yourself with experience in .NET development. This flexibility and robustness ensure a seamless experience without encountering lag or performance issues, making Retool a powerful and reliable tool for various use cases.
What needs improvement?
Retool could enhance support, including efforts to establish support centers in Europe, which was lacking previously. However, the community is still in the growth phase, leading to potential delays in receiving responses to queries. Additionally, certain components remain outdated despite periodic updates, leaving some desired features unaddressed, which could impact user satisfaction.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Retool for four to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable. I rate the solution’ stability a ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Retool performs well with potential slowdowns mainly encountered when loading substantial amounts of data. However, its scalability shines through its user-based licensing model, allowing for the addition of numerous users without constraints. Moreover, users can enjoy granular control over access to various components, enhancing customization and security.
Overall, Retool earns a solid ten out of ten rating for its performance and versatility.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy if you have a cloud environment. It's just a couple of clicks. You just need to sign up, and you are in Retool.
What other advice do I have?
In some of my past projects, I collaborated with others, and we used GitHub for version control. It served as a repository where we pushed our code updates, facilitating seamless collaboration and version tracking among team members.
One limitation of Retool currently is the lack of support for parallel editing, meaning that multiple users cannot collaborate on the same application simultaneously. This restriction aligns with the application's context, as it's typically more practical for only one person to edit an application at a time.
They recently integrated AI models, such as Ahmed AI, and consistently incorporate new OpenAPI module releases into the cloud environment. This integration allows users to leverage the latest advancements, including AI assistance for error detection and resolution within queries, particularly in JavaScript and SQL, enhancing the development experience in Retool.
If you are going to invest in Retool and you have a clear vision. Definitely, it is worth it. Some users say it is a bit pricey. There are a couple of other software like Ubiquiti, but even Microsoft also providing a low code platform, but it's more enterprise-level based applications, not for everyone. Retool is still leading and have a good price plan, which users are comfortable with.
It will not be too difficult if you have some technical background. If you know how to write JavaScript queries, how SQL queries work, and understand how front-end development operates in real-time, then maybe one or two years of development experience will be sufficient for a user to develop a basic application in Retool. However, it does require some level of development experience. For example, a project manager without any development experience would not be able to work within Retool and develop a dashboard or define a workflow unless they first educate themselves and gain some proficiency with the tool.
A normal business user cannot use it; you must have some development experience. When you mention a low-code platform, it implies that a user with a certain level of development knowledge can develop applications. That's where we may fall short. However, looking at the advantages, you can customize and control your application at a very detailed level within Retool. So, it excels in both positive and negative aspects.
Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.
Provides good connectivity with APIs and other databases
What is our primary use case?
I created a CRM tool using Retool.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of the solution is connectivity with APIs and other databases.
What needs improvement?
The solution lacks inbuilt customization to customize bar charts. The solution should add two or three more types of components and allow the usage of Python or other languages instead of Java script. The solution lacks inbuilt customization.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Retool for seven to eight months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I have never faced any bugs or lags with the solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I am the only one working with the solution as a developer in our organization.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have previously used a different solution called Appsmith.
How was the initial setup?
The solution's initial setup is super easy. Retool has good documentation, and connectivity with other applications is very easy.
What about the implementation team?
The solution's deployment time depends on the utility. In my case, it took almost four months. Retool takes two to three hours to deploy for a simple project. It is very easy; you just have to drag and drop.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I don't know Retool's current pricing, but it cost around $12 per month earlier.
What other advice do I have?
For my use case, the solution helps me to create multiple charts and tables for data. The solution is deployed on the cloud in our organization. I would recommend the solution to other users.
Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Has notably streamlined the creation and management of admin panels in my organization
What is our primary use case?
I employ Retool primarily to build admin panels that effectively manage office and backend project staff. These panels facilitate the management of various organizational functions and streamline user interactions with upstream processes. Retool is deployed in a cloud-based environment, enhancing its accessibility and integration capabilities.
How has it helped my organization?
Retool has notably streamlined the creation and management of admin panels in my organization, reducing the need for extensive coding and expediting deployment processes. This efficiency has led to a faster turnaround in managing backend operations, proving highly beneficial for organizational productivity.
What is most valuable?
Retool's most valuable features are its drag-and-drop components and the ability to customize them extensively. These features allow for quick setup and easy modifications, which are essential for tailoring applications to specific organizational needs without extensive coding knowledge.
What needs improvement?
One area for improvement in Retool is expanding its library support to include a broader range of third-party JavaScript libraries. This would enhance the tool's versatility and allow more complex functionalities to integrate seamlessly into the admin panels.
Retool should include enhanced graphical customization tools in its next release, particularly for creating more dynamic visual representations within the admin panels.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Retool for approximately two and a half years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Retool is stable and doesn't currently suffer from significant bugs or issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Retool has proven to be a scalable solution, consistently supporting the growing needs of my organization without any significant issues.
How are customer service and support?
I have had minimal need to contact the support team, and the available online resources have been sufficient to resolve any queries.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Retool was straightforward with ample documentation available, facilitating an easy adoption process.
What about the implementation team?
Retool had an in-house deployment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
For new users, evaluate the scale of their administrative needs as Retool provides excellent free services for smaller setups, but larger deployments might require transitioning to a paid plan.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Before adopting Retool, I considered other options like Appsmith but chose Retool for its superior user interface and integration capabilities.
What other advice do I have?
On the AI side, they have an enterprise feature through which, while working on DB, if you want to send a query, like wanting to set users, which is greater than fifty, but you are unsure if that is secure, so AI helps in sending an actual query. Retool helps get the exact query, and it gets added when pasting the same around the query. This, in a way, means AI can be used for that if you do not have answers to complex queries.
Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.