Oracle APEX vs Retool

Oracle APEX is a low-code platform for building data-driven enterprise applications on Oracle Database. It supports workflow automation, mobile applications, data connectors, role permissions, and pro-code development. Applications can be installed on premises or run in Oracle Cloud and third-party clouds. For services, APEX can access REST endpoints through REST Data Sources and call SOAP or REST services through APEX_WEB_SERVICE, including OAuth 2.0 flows. Oracle describes database security capabilities used with APEX, including encryption, fine-grained access control, auditing, and multi-tenant data isolation. APEX 26.1 introduces APEXlang, a structured metadata language for expressing application intent to developers and AI agents. Oracle also describes AI Interactive Reports for natural-language data exploration and AI Agents that automate workflows using application logic and data context. APEX is available at no additional cost with supported Oracle Database editions, with no per-app or per-user license fees. Free hosted and Always Free options are also listed; Oracle Cloud Free Tier credits can be used during an initial trial of paid APEX Service.

Retool provides tools for building apps and automations that connect to a business’s own data and can run in its infrastructure or the cloud. Its AI-native app builder generates a working app from a description for users to refine. The product supports web apps, progressive web apps, and native iOS and Android apps; mobile apps can take photos, scan barcodes, capture signatures, and read NFC tags. Workflows support scheduled and webhook triggers, custom error handling, and automatic retry policies. Listed connections include REST API, Google Sheets, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Firebase, GraphQL, Snowflake, Salesforce, and Slack. Retool lists role-based access controls, audit logging, SSO, independent workspaces, and self-hosting among its security capabilities. It says queries run against customers’ own data sources and that it does not store their data. Hosting can be in the cloud or self-hosted in a customer VPC, with Docker setup listed for self-hosting. The free plan supports up to five users. Team costs $10 a month per builder and $5 a month per internal user, with the listed Team features including 5,000 workflow runs and 1,000 AI credits monthly.