Internal tools don't need to be built from scratch. Modern platforms let you build admin panels, dashboards, and business apps in hours. Connect to your database, drag in components, add custom logic, and deploy. We tested the leading platforms.
| Tool | Starting Price | Open Source | Self-Host | Components | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retool | Free/$10 | No | Yes | 90+ | 9.5/10 |
| Appsmith | Free/$40 | Yes | Yes | 45+ | 9.1/10 |
| Airplane | Free/$10 | No | No | 30+ | 9.0/10 |
| Superblocks | Custom | No | Yes | 50+ | 8.8/10 |
| Tooljet | Free/$20 | Yes | Yes | 40+ | 8.5/10 |
Retool is the clear leader in internal tools. The component library is the richest, the integrations are the deepest, and you can write custom JavaScript anywhere. Build admin panels in hours that would take weeks.
Appsmith is the leading open source alternative to Retool. Self-host for free, build similar apps, and avoid vendor lock-in. The community is active and the product is improving rapidly.
Airplane takes a code-first approach. Write Python or TypeScript functions, then build UIs around them. Better for developer-heavy teams who want more control. Great for operational tools and runbooks.
Superblocks focuses on enterprise needs. AI-powered components, strong security features, and SOC 2 compliance. Good for organizations with strict requirements.
Tooljet is a simpler open source alternative. Easier to get started than Appsmith, though less powerful. Good for straightforward internal tools that don't need complex logic.
We built real internal tools on each platform to evaluate properly.
Retool is more polished and powerful. Appsmith is open source and free to self-host. Choose Retool for speed and features, Appsmith for cost and control.
For admin panels and CRUD apps, these platforms are 10x faster. For highly custom UIs, custom development may be better.
Self-hosted gives you data control and avoids per-user costs. Cloud is easier to manage and update. Many choose cloud initially, then self-host at scale.
