AlgorithmShift vs Retool
Internal tools, external dependency
The Verdict
Choose AlgorithmShift if you want to build internal tools with the same speed but full code ownership and deployment flexibility.
At a Glance
Quick comparison of key features and capabilities
| Feature | Retool | AlgorithmShift |
|---|---|---|
| Code Export | No | Full source code |
| Pricing Model | Per-user ($10-50/user) | Fixed pricing |
| Self-Hosting | Enterprise only ($$$) | Always available |
| Vendor Lock-in | High | None |
Detailed Feature Comparison
Explore features by category to see the full picture
Pricing Comparison
True cost of ownership, not just the sticker price
Retool
Per-user subscription
Starting Price
$10/user/month (Free up to 5)
Enterprise
Custom (self-hosted)
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Per-user costs scale quickly
- Self-hosting requires enterprise
- Premium support costs
- SSO requires paid tier
AlgorithmShift
Fixed pricing
Starting Price
Free tier available
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Everything Included
- Unlimited users
- Full source code
- Self-host included
- All features
Pros & Cons
An honest look at both platforms
Retool Pros
- Fast internal tool development
- Good database connectors
- Decent component library
- Active development
Retool Cons
- No code export
- Per-user pricing adds up
- Self-hosting costs extra
- Security concerns reported
Choose Retool if you...
- •You need internal tools yesterday
- •Small team with limited users
- •Budget isn't a concern
Choose AlgorithmShift if you...
- •You want to own your internal tool code
- •You have many internal users
- •Security/compliance requires self-hosting
- •You want predictable costs
What Users Are Saying
Real experiences from teams who made the switch
“We had to move away from Retool based on un-addressed vulnerabilities found in their on-prem container. Unfortunately, it looks like Retool is not quite ready for deployment in environments with higher compliance requirements.”
Enterprise IT
Switching from Retool
Your migration roadmap
Migration Difficulty
Moderate
Typical Timeline
2-4 weeks
Migration Steps
Document Retool app functionality
Export connected data sources
Build equivalent in AlgorithmShift
Connect data sources
Test with users
What Transfers Easily
- Database connections (reconnect)
- Data schemas
- User list
Requires Rebuilding
- Retool queries (rebuild)
- UI components (rebuild)
- Workflows
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about switching from Retool
Yes, but only on expensive enterprise plans. AlgorithmShift includes self-hosting capability at all tiers—you own the code and can deploy anywhere.
Ready to Own Your Code?
Stop paying the platform tax. Build with AlgorithmShift and export clean code you own forever.
No credit card required. Export your code anytime.