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Retool lists a free plan and pricing from $10, but Reddit threads say self-hosting now appears under Enterprise in its docs and pricing. One commenter also criticized per-end-user pricing. The alternatives below suit different needs: internal tools, on-premise hosting, governed business apps or a JavaScript stack with hosting included. Treat starting prices as a first filter, not a like-for-like quote: some options list free plans, while others publish no price or flag extra hosting and usage costs.
01Why people leave Retool
Self-hosting is Enterprise-only
Reddit threads report that Retool’s docs and pricing now put self-hosting on Enterprise; some existing customers may later lose legacy plans.
Per-user pricing concerns
A Reddit commenter objected to per-end-user pricing. Retool lists a $10 starting price and a free plan, but no user cap is provided here.
Changes shook user trust
Two Reddit threads describe the self-hosting change as silent and say there was no public announcement.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Internal tools and self-hosting
AppsmithAppsmithAppsmith is the closest listed fit for teams replacing Retool-built internal tools. Its listing describes a flexible low-code builder with JavaScript control and free self-hosting, so teams can consider it without making self-hosting an Enterprise-only requirement. The listed starting price is $15, with a free plan.
Trade-off: The listing flags a sharp Enterprise price jump at 100 users.
7.8/10from
$15/mofree plan - Custom apps and on-premise
Claris FileMakerClaris FileMakerClaris FileMaker is worth comparing if your Retool apps are tailored business applications and on-premise hosting matters. Its listed starting price is $17.50, and the product is positioned for custom apps and tailored automation. That makes it a candidate for teams prioritizing deployment choice over a direct low-code-builder match.
Trade-off: Check user minimums and hosting costs before committing.
5.8/10from
$17.50/mo - Governed business apps
Mendix PlatformMendix PlatformMendix suits organizations moving beyond internal dashboards toward governed business applications or modernizing core systems. The listing highlights app building and governed workflows, and shows a free plan with pricing from $918. Compare the actual cloud and deployment costs against Retool before treating that starting figure as your migration budget.
Trade-off: Paid pricing and cloud costs need careful budgeting.
7.2/10from
€918/mofree plan - Enterprise app programs
OutSystemsOutSystemsOutSystems is aimed at enterprise teams building custom business apps and organizations coordinating apps and AI agents. It also has a free plan, but the listing gives no paid starting price. If Retool’s Enterprise-only self-hosting is pushing you to review larger platforms, get a detailed quote before comparing total costs.
Trade-off: Paid pricing is not published; request a quote.
7.1/10from
Freefree plan - Private deployment and app generation
WaveMakerWaveMakerWaveMaker may fit teams building commercial web apps that need private deployment or want to start designs from Figma. Those are the use cases in its listing, making it a candidate when deployment requirements matter more than a direct Retool feature match. Its paid price is not published, so request a quote.
Trade-off: Get a detailed quote before comparing costs.
6.2/10from
Custom - JavaScript full-stack apps
GadgetGadgetGadget is a fit for JavaScript teams that want hosting and backend tools in one platform, rather than a tool positioned specifically around internal business apps. Its listing shows a free plan and pricing from $35. Consider it if your replacement project is a full-stack web app and your team is comfortable building with JavaScript.
Trade-off: Watch the usage caps.
7.3/10from
$35/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Retool Retool (current) | 6.2 | $10/mo | Yes | Teams building internal business apps |
| Appsmith Appsmith | 7.8 | $15/mo | Yes | Teams building custom internal tools |
| Claris FileMaker Claris FileMaker | 5.8 | $17.50/mo | No | Teams building custom business apps |
| Mendix Platform Mendix Platform | 7.2 | €918/mo | Yes | Teams modernizing existing core systems |
| OutSystems OutSystems | 7.1 | Free | Yes | Enterprise teams building custom business apps |
| WaveMaker WaveMaker | 6.2 | Custom | No | Teams building commercial web apps |
| Gadget Gadget | 7.3 | $35/mo | Yes | JavaScript teams building full-stack web apps |
Questions people ask
Can we still self-host Retool?
Retool’s docs and pricing are described in Reddit threads as putting self-hosting on an Enterprise plan. Those threads also report that the change was made without a public announcement. If self-hosting is a requirement, confirm current terms directly with Retool before planning a move; Appsmith lists free self-hosting, while FileMaker lists on-premise hosting.
Which Retool alternative has the lowest listed starting price?
Among these picks, Appsmith lists pricing from $15 with a free plan, Claris FileMaker from $17.50, and Gadget from $35 with a free plan. These are starting prices, not comparable total costs. Appsmith’s listing flags an Enterprise price jump at 100 users; other options also warn about hosting, cloud or usage costs.
Which alternatives are aimed at enterprise teams?
OutSystems is listed for enterprise teams building custom business apps, while Mendix targets organizations needing governed workflows and teams modernizing core systems. OutSystems does not publish a paid starting price on the pricing page; Mendix lists a free plan and pricing from $918. Mendix’s cloud costs also need to be budgeted.