Retool

What is Retool?

Retool is a platform designed for developers to build web apps, mobile apps, and workflows quickly and easily. It allows users to connect to various data sources and APIs, build apps and business logic on top of that data, and securely share the created tools with users in one place. Retool is trusted by developers, startups, and Fortune 500 companies for its ability to expedite the development of internal tools by up to 10 times faster than building from scratch. The platform is typically used by engineers but can be learned by non-technical users familiar with SQL. Thousands of teams across different departments utilize Retool apps for operational purposes, and the platform offers different user types and permission controls to manage access efficiently. Additionally, Retool AI is a feature that enables users to integrate AI functionalities into their applications and workflows easily and securely, offering pre-built blocks and support for various AI actions. The platform emphasizes data security, provides self-hosted deployments, audit trails, and version control features to ensure data protection and control. Overall, Retool empowers users to integrate AI effectively, save time, and enhance business processes.

Who created Retool?

Retool was founded by David Hsu and turned into a company on September 7, 2023. It is a platform designed for fast app development with automation and alerting features. Retool caters to various teams, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, helping them build internal tools rapidly. The platform offers capabilities for user management, scale, and security, making it popular among developers, startups, and large enterprises.

What is Retool used for?

• Speed up manual operations like Ramp saving $8M in operational costs
• Reduce one-off tasks like DoorDash shipping 2 years of roadmap in 3 months
• Launch new products faster like Greenly shipping internal tools and user portal 3x faster
• Mitigate compliance issues as Snowflake reduced hours spent on security compliance by 65%
• Speed up manual operations. Ramp saved $8M in operational costs across the company.
• Reduce one-off tasks. Doordash shipped 2 years of their roadmap in 3 months.
• Launch new products faster. Greenly shipped internal tools and user portal 3x faster.
• Mitigate compliance issues. Snowflake reduced hours spent on security compliance by 65%.
• Speed up manual operations. Ramp saved $8M in operational costs across the company
• Reduce one-off tasks. Doordash shipped 2 years of their roadmap in 3 months
• Launch new products faster. Greenly shipped internal tools and user portal 3x faster
• Mitigate compliance issues. Snowflake reduced hours spent on security compliance by 65%
• Automate and alerting tasks
• Mobile apps for rapid shipping
• Developing internal tools efficiently
• Accelerate business operations
• Enhanced security controls for enterprise usage
• Integration with analytics vendors and other services

Who is Retool for?

• Engineers
• Customer support teams
• Marketing teams
• Operations teams
• Security teams
• Executive teams
• Customer support
• Marketing
• Operations
• Security

How to use Retool?

To use Retool effectively, follow these steps:

1. Building Applications:

   • Connect any database or API easily.
   • Build web apps, mobile apps, and workflows.
   • Create apps for various teams like customer support, marketing, and operations.

2. User Types and Permissions:

   • Engineers are typically the primary users.
   • Non-technical users can learn quickly with SQL knowledge.
   • End users can be restricted from making edits based on activity and permissions.

3. Deployment Options:

   • Choose between cloud-hosted or self-hosted versions.
   • Self-hosting is possible in your own VPC, setup via Docker, and self-hosting doesn't require external data connectivity.

4. Retool AI:

   • Incorporate artificial intelligence into applications and workflows quickly.
   • Utilize pre-built blocks for AI functionalities and connect business data securely.
   • Build AI-powered search capabilities, contextual AI bots, and custom AI workflows.

5. Security and Access Controls:

   • Maintain security, reliability, and access controls suitable for regulated enterprises.
   • Features include self-hosted deployments, permissions, audit trails, single sign-on (SSO), and version control.

6. Additional Features:

   • Custom app themes, offline mode, push notifications, white-label apps, biometric authentication, workflows, and more.

7. Developer Tools:

   • Utilize Retool's IDE for queries, manage data and schema with a database editor UI, version control with Git, and connect to all databases and APIs.

8. Enterprise Scale and Support:

   • Designed for enterprise scale with features like self-hosting, custom SSO, audit logs, SOC 2 Type II compliance, and professional services.

9. Customer Success Stories:

   • Retool has helped companies accelerate operations, reduce costs, launch products faster, and ensure compliance effectively.

By following these steps, you can effectively use Retool to accelerate app development, integrate AI functionalities, and enhance operational efficiency.