kitio.aiRetool vs Appsmith
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Retool has the lower starting price: about $12 a month, against $15 for Appsmith.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- AI app generation
- Database and API connectors
- Retool Agents
- Workflows
- Self-hosting
- Drag-and-drop UI builder
- LLM and database connectors
- Prompt-generated widgets
- JavaScript customization
- Git and CI/CD
- Self-hosting
| Feature | Retool | Appsmith |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Build internal tools and AI apps on your company data | Open-source low-code platform for internal tools and AI apps |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $12/mo | $15/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Retool | Appsmith |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Both offer: Self-hosting.
Pricing compared
Retool has the lower starting price: about $12 a month, against $15 for Appsmith.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- Up to 5 users
- Retool Cloud
- Production environment only
Team
$12/mo
- Per builder, internal users extra
- Unlimited users
- Staging and production
Business
$65/mo
- Per builder, internal users extra
- External users and embedded apps
- Audit logs, rich permissions
Enterprise
Custom
- Cloud, self-hosted or air-gapped
- Audit log streaming
- Bring your own AI key
3 plans
Free
Free
- Up to 5 users on cloud
- 5 workspaces
- Git with 3 repos
- Google SSO
Business
$15/mo
- Per user
- Up to 99 users
- Workflows and reusable packages
- Email and chat support
Enterprise
$2500/mo
- For 100 users
- SAML/OIDC SSO and SCIM
- Air-gapped edition
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Retool
- Huge connector library
- Strong permissions and audit
- Free plan for small teams
- Enterprise contracts are costly
- Apps live inside Retool
Appsmith
- Open source and self-hostable
- Free for up to 5 cloud users
- Full JavaScript control
- SSO via SAML needs Enterprise
- Enterprise starts at $2,500 a month
- Still requires developer skills
Which one should you choose?
Choose Retool if you want:
- Huge connector library
- Strong permissions and audit
- Free plan for small teams
Watch out: enterprise contracts are costly.
Choose Appsmith if you want:
- Open source and self-hostable
- Free for up to 5 cloud users
- Full JavaScript control
Watch out: sso via saml needs enterprise.
Retool vs Appsmith FAQ
What is the difference between Retool and Appsmith?
Retool: Build internal tools and AI apps on your company data. Appsmith: Open-source low-code platform for internal tools and AI apps. Both are coding tools.
Is Retool or Appsmith cheaper?
Retool has the lower starting price: about $12 a month, against $15 for Appsmith.
Do Retool and Appsmith have free plans?
Retool: Yes. Appsmith: Yes.
Who makes Retool?
Retool is made by Retool, based in United States.
Who makes Appsmith?
Appsmith is made by Appsmith, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Retool or Appsmith?
Choose Retool if you value huge connector library and strong permissions and audit. Choose Appsmith if you value open source and self-hostable and free for up to 5 cloud users.