Admin panels
Search and update records through forms and tables. Enforce row access in your database or API and review writes before production.
Internal tool builder
The open-source internal tool builder
Build admin panels, dashboards and approval flows on your databases and APIs. Use the visual editor, ToolJet AI or your coding agent, then deploy on ToolJet Cloud or your own infrastructure. Start with the open-source Community Edition; paid plans add controls such as SSO and audit logs.
- Admin panels
- Approval workflows
- Ops dashboards
Refund approvalsPending · support opsSSOAudit onProduction
Awaiting approval31$18,420 total
Approved today58median 12 min
Over policy4need finance sign-off
| Order | Requested by | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORD-10847 | Support · A. Chen | $120.00 | Approved |
| ORD-10851 | Support · R. Patel | $640.00 | Finance review |
| ORD-10853 | Support · J. Moreau | $89.00 | Approved |
| ORD-10856 | Support · K. Adeyemi | $1,250.00 | Escalated |
Refunds over $500 need finance approval; log who approved and why, and post to #refunds
Threshold rule, finance role and Slack query added · awaiting your review
41,000+stars on the open-source core
SOC 2 Type IIISO 27001 and GDPR · Visit the trust centre
Your infrastructureCloud, VPC, on-premise or air-gapped
100+ connectorsplus any REST or gRPC endpoint
Internal tools, explained
What are internal tools, and how do you build them?
Internal tools are software employees or authorized collaborators use to run business operations. Examples include admin panels, operations dashboards, approval workflows, support consoles and back-office apps. They can be purchased, configured from existing software or built for a specific workflow.
An internal tool builder supplies data connectors, interface components, queries, permissions and hosting so teams can build business apps on their existing data. The refund-approval example above illustrates an operations workflow with sample data.
ToolJet is an open-source internal tool builder with AI built in. Describe the tool in plain language and ToolJet AI generates pages and queries you can refine visually. Configure permissions and test the app before release. Build it from Claude Code, Codex or Cursor through the ToolJet MCP server, or drag components onto the visual canvas. Run it on ToolJet Cloud or self-host it.
AI internal tools, not mockups
ToolJet AI generates multi-page apps from a prompt, wired to your data sources. Everything it generates stays editable in the visual builder.
Open source and self-hostable
The Community Edition is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and self-hosts on Docker or Kubernetes from the free plan. Or start on ToolJet Cloud.
Priced per builder
Every plan includes an end-user allowance and Enterprise includes unlimited end users, so rolling a tool out widely does not add a seat for every viewer.
Explore internal tool templates Build a chatbot for internal apps Inventory management template Expense reimbursement template Compare internal tool builders Self-host ToolJet Compare ToolJet and Retool What are internal tools? A-to-Z guide to internal tools Learn with ToolJet Academy
No engineering ticket needed
Describe the tool you need. ToolJet builds it.
Type what you want in plain language. ToolJet generates the pages, queries and logic as a working app. Connect your data, set who can see what, and review the generated logic before publishing. Edit the app on the canvas afterwards.
- Working app, not a mockup
- Review access rules before publishing
- Free to start, per-builder pricing
Built on the data you already have
PostgreSQL
MySQL
MongoDB
Snowflake
Salesforce
Stripe
Google Sheets
Slack
Have developers? They can build the same apps from
through the ToolJet plugin
Internal tools teams build with ToolJet
Build the operational tools your teams need, connected to your existing data and access controls.
Approval workflows
Multi-step approvals with thresholds, role-gated actions, notifications and a decision record.
Dashboards and reporting
Live views over your warehouse and databases, filtered by team, with actions wired to queries.
Support and success consoles
One screen across your database, billing and ticketing, with guarded write actions.
Customer and partner portals
Scoped views for external users through SSO or invited access, embeddable and white-labelled.
Scheduled and event-driven workflows
On Self-hosted, build webhook, scheduled or app-triggered workflows with JavaScript logic, data-source nodes and run logs.
How to build an internal tool with ToolJet
- 01
Connect your data
100+ native connectors plus any REST, gRPC or GraphQL API, or start on ToolJet Database, the built-in PostgreSQL database in your workspace.
- 02
Describe the tool
On the canvas, or from Claude Code, Codex or Cursor through the ToolJet plugin. Generate pages, queries and components, then review them against your requirements.
- 03
Refine and set access
Edit the interface visually and configure app and resource permissions. Enforce sensitive row access in server-side queries, database policies or APIs, then test each role.
- 04
Release and govern
Review permissions and release versions before production. Team includes Git sync and audit logs; multiple environments require Self-hosted Team or Cloud Enterprise.
Compared
Internal tool builders compared: ToolJet, Retool, Appsmith and Superblocks
How four internal tool builders differ on licensing, self-hosting, AI and what you pay as usage grows.
| Feature | ToolJet | Retool | Appsmith | Superblocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License | Open source, AGPL-3.0 Community Edition | Proprietary | Open source, Apache-2.0 | Proprietary |
| Self-hosting | Community Edition and paid Self-hosted plans | Enterprise for new deployments | Free and above | Enterprise: Hybrid or managed full-platform Cloud-Prem (AWS only) |
| AI app generation | Multi-page apps from a prompt, on every plan | Retool AI, credit-metered | Ask AI code assistance; compatible coding agents can build apps through MCP beta | Clark, metered in Governed Agent Units |
| Build from a coding agent | MIT-licensed MCP server; no ToolJet AI credits used | MCP relay or local React development with the CLI | MCP beta on Business Cloud and Self-hosted Enterprise | Builder MCP that relays to Clark |
| SSO / SAML / OIDC | Team plan | Enterprise | Enterprise; Google/GitHub OAuth on Free and Business | Enterprise |
| End users | Included up to the plan limit; unlimited on Enterprise | Billed per user on cloud Team and Business | Every user billed on Business | Unlimited |
| Training | ToolJet Academy: hands-on courses and certifications | Retool University: courses, labs and digital badges | Documentation, tutorials, videos and webinars | Documentation, tutorials, training and onboarding |
Competitor details were verified on 7 September 2026 against each vendor's public pricing and documentation. Sources are listed on each comparison page. Training resources were checked on 30 September 2026. Retool CLI and Appsmith SAML/OIDC plan requirements were checked on 4 October 2026. Appsmith MCP beta availability was checked on 16 October 2026.
ToolJet vs Retool ToolJet vs Appsmith ToolJet vs Superblocks
In production
Teams already running on ToolJet
85% less
Development time for operations apps built without frontend engineers, as reported in FalconX's case study.
FalconX 500+ hoursSaved on batch management and scheduling, as reported in Byju's case study.
Byju's 95% lessOnboarding time: 5–6 hours to 15–20 minutes, as reported in RevQ's case study.
RevQBuilt in, not bolted on
The controls your IT team already expects
Identity, permissions and audit apply to every app, whether a person built it on the canvas or an agent built it from a prompt. SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 and GDPR.
Single sign-on and SCIM
SAML, OIDC and LDAP on Team and above; Enterprise adds SCIM provisioning and directory group sync.
Permissions down to the query
Configure app and resource permissions. Enforce sensitive row access in server-side queries, database policies or APIs, and test each role.
Audit logs and SIEM export
Platform events with actor, resource and timestamp; configurable retention; export to your SIEM.
Runs where you say
Choose managed ToolJet Cloud or self-host in your VPC or on-premise. Builder BYOK is available on Enterprise plans for both Cloud and Self-hosted. Air-gapped operation and a customer-hosted AI gateway require separate Self-hosted Enterprise add-ons; fully local AI also needs a supported local model.
Security and governance features vary by plan. Workflows and Agent Builder are available on Self-hosted only; BYOK is available on Enterprise plans for both Cloud and Self-hosted. Compare plan availability.
Two ways to get there
Build it yourself, or bring our engineers in
Self-serve
Your team, your pace
Start free. Describe the tool, refine it on the canvas, and ship it under your own access rules. Start with one app, then test it with your team before rolling it out.
Start free
Professional services
Forward-deployed engineers, embedded with your team
When the timeline is fixed or the process is tangled, our engineers build alongside you: scoped delivery, production-ready apps, and knowledge transfer so your team owns the result.
Talk about a projectFrequently asked questions
When should we use an internal tool builder instead of custom development?
Shortlist an internal tool builder for data-driven admin panels, dashboards, forms and approval apps when its connectors, components and access controls meet your requirements. ToolJet suits teams that want AI generation, visual editing and custom queries together, with Cloud or Self-hosted deployment. Consider custom development when specialized interfaces or runtime requirements fall outside the platform. Validate the choice with one representative app, including permissions, performance and ongoing maintenance.
How should an enterprise evaluate an internal tool platform?
Build one representative app against a test database and compare the same requirements: SSO, permissions, audit logs, release environments, data connectivity and maintenance. Estimate builder seats, end-user allowances, AI usage and infrastructure separately. ToolJet Team includes SSO, audit logs and Git sync; Enterprise adds SCIM and unlimited end users, with multiple deployments on Self-hosted. Review our published customer case studies and test your own workload before choosing.
Can developers and business teams build on the same platform?
Yes. Business teams can start from a prompt and refine apps in ToolJet's visual builder. Developers can add JavaScript or Python queries, build custom components, or use Claude Code or Codex through the ToolJet MCP server. Custom connectors are available on Self-hosted deployments. Your team reviews generated queries and applies access controls before release. ToolJet Academy provides hands-on training and certifications.
What is an internal tool builder?
Software for building the applications a company uses internally, such as admin panels, dashboards and approval flows, without writing each one from scratch. ToolJet adds AI generation, a visual editor, 100+ data connectors and enterprise controls such as SSO, permissions and audit logs.
What are internal tools?
Internal tools are software employees or authorized collaborators use to run business operations. They can be purchased, configured from existing software or custom-built. Common examples are admin panels, operations dashboards, approval workflows, support consoles and inventory trackers.
Can we build internal tools without code?
Use ToolJet AI and the visual builder for forms, tables, charts and common data actions. Use SQL, JavaScript, Python or custom components when the app needs more complex behavior. No-code editing reduces UI development work; someone still needs to review data connections, permissions and writes before production.
What are AI internal tools?
The term covers two things: internal tools that AI builds, and internal tools that use AI inside them. ToolJet does both. ToolJet AI generates the app from a prompt, and apps can call models from providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Gemini through data-source integrations. On Self-hosted deployments you can also add AI agents to workflows.
Can AI build internal tools?
Yes. In ToolJet you describe the tool in plain language and ToolJet AI generates a multi-page app and queries, which you review and edit in the visual builder. Configure permissions and test data access before release. Developers can also build from Claude Code, Codex or Cursor through the ToolJet MCP server, which does not consume ToolJet AI credits.
Is ToolJet an open-source internal tool builder?
Yes. The ToolJet Community Edition is open source under AGPL-3.0 and its MCP server is MIT-licensed. You can self-host it for free or use ToolJet Cloud; paid plans add features such as SSO, audit logs and Git sync.
Can non-developers maintain internal tools with IT oversight?
Yes, for changes that fit the visual builder. Business teams can update forms, tables, component settings and layouts, or use AI to iterate on an app. IT administrators can control app editing, data source configuration and who can release changes. Developers should review custom code, SQL, API writes and permission changes before production. ToolJet Academy provides hands-on courses and certifications. Choose a plan with the SSO, audit logs, Git sync and environment controls your team needs, and test maintenance with a representative app before rollout.
Can we self-host it?
Yes. Docker, Kubernetes, Helm and OpenShift in your VPC or on-premise, alongside ToolJet Cloud. Fully offline operation, including licensing, requires the Self-hosted Enterprise air-gapped add-on. The Community Edition is open source under AGPL-3.0.
How is ToolJet priced?
Pricing is per builder, not per user. Every plan includes an end-user allowance and Enterprise includes unlimited end users, so rolling a tool out widely does not add a seat for every viewer. The pricing page lists the allowance on each plan.
How is it different from Retool?
ToolJet is open source and self-hostable from the free tier, builds apps from a prompt or a coding agent as well as on a canvas, includes ToolJet Database, and offers Workflows on Self-hosted. Plans are priced per builder with plan-specific end-user limits.
Build your first internal tool this week
Describe it, connect your data, ship it under your own access rules. Free to start.
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