Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites VS Retool

Compare SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites VS Retool and see what are their differences

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites logo SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites

Build full web applications using just SQL queries

Retool logo Retool

Build custom internal tools in minutes.
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites Homepage
    Homepage //
    2025-03-03
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites SQLPage's Homepage is written in... SQLPage!
    SQLPage's Homepage is written in... SQLPage! //
    2024-12-02
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites SQLPage card component
    SQLPage card component //
    2024-12-02
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites A form built in SQLPage
    A form built in SQLPage //
    2024-12-02
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites sqlpage editor demo
    sqlpage editor demo //
    2025-03-03
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites Bompard, a french luxury company, built their performance monitoring tool in SQLPage
    Bompard, a french luxury company, built their performance monitoring tool in SQLPage //
    2024-12-02
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites A school headmaster built an app for his school, alone.
    A school headmaster built an app for his school, alone. //
    2024-12-02

Description

SQLPage is an open-source tool designed for building dynamic web applications quickly, directly from database queries. It focuses on simplicity, allowing data people to leverage SQL expertise to create database-driven web apps. It supports PostgreSQL, SQLite, MySQL, and SQL Server.


Strengths

  • SQL-Centric Development: Removes the many layers of complexity traditionally involved in building apps. No frontend or backend framework.
  • Full CRUD Support: Goes beyond dashboard tools by enabling dynamic user interactions like form submissions, updates, and deletions.
  • Extensibility: Offers customizable built-in components (tables, forms, charts, maps, etc.) that adapt to different visualization needs.
  • Lightweight and Efficient: Distributed as a single executable, SQLPage is built in Rust for performance and security.
  • Open Source: Completely free and highly customizable for unique project requirements.

Comparison with Alternatives

  • Vs. Retool/Appsmith: SQLPage offers deeper SQL integration and flexibility to build custom tools but currently lacks the drag-and-drop UI and integrations of No-Code tools.
  • Vs. Airtable/Knack: SQLPage supports more complex queries and dynamic interactions but requires a more technical skillset to set up and manage.
  • Vs. Traditional Frameworks (e.g., Django, Ruby on Rails): Faster setup and iteration for database-driven apps but less flexibility when advanced code-based workflows are deeply integrated into the UI.
  • Vs. BI Tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker): Adds interactivity and CRUD operations, but fewer advanced graph types.

SQLPage excels in scenarios where rapid development of data-driven web applications is needed, especially for custom tools, prototypes, or admin panels.

  • Retool Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-04

Retool

Website
retool.com
$ Details
freemium $10.0 / Monthly (Startup)
Release Date
2017 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California
Founder(s)
David Hsu
Employees
10 - 19

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites features and specs

  • SQL Execution
    Short learning curve, easy to use, interoperable with existing tools.
  • Data Visualization
    Visualize your data not only as classical charts, but also as interactive maps, lists, data cards, forms and much more
  • Forms
    Quickly build forms to insert data into your database

Retool features and specs

  • Speed of Development
    Retool allows developers to rapidly build internal tools with a drag-and-drop interface, reducing the time it takes to get functional applications up and running.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Retool supports integration with a wide range of databases, APIs, and other services, making it easier to connect different data sources and systems.
  • Customizability
    While Retool provides prebuilt components, it also allows for custom code and scripting, enabling developers to tailor applications to specific requirements.
  • Collaboration Features
    Retool supports collaborative features, such as sharing applications with team members and version control, making it easier to work in teams.
  • Security
    Retool provides robust security features, including access control and data encryption, to help protect sensitive information.

Possible disadvantages of Retool

  • Cost
    Retool can be relatively expensive compared to building internal tools from scratch or using some other platforms, potentially making it less accessible for smaller teams or startups.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there can be a learning curve for new users who need to become familiar with its specific functionalities and scripting capabilities.
  • Customization Limitations
    Though Retool offers customizability, there might be certain limitations compared to fully bespoke solutions, impacting highly specific or complex use cases.
  • Dependency on Retool
    Relying heavily on Retool may create a dependency that could be problematic if the company changes its pricing, features, or discontinues services.
  • Performance
    For very large datasets or highly complex operations, performance can become an issue, as it is with many platform-based solutions.

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites videos

SQLPage — Building a full web application with nothing but Postgres and SQL queries

More videos:

  • Tutorial - SQLPage tutorial video series
  • Demo - Introduction to SQLPage

Retool videos

Retool - Logic Review

More videos:

  • Review - #Worth?! Ep.12 - Retool (Gameplay / Review)
  • Demo - February NY Enterprise Tech Meetup: Retool Demo

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites and Retool)
Developer Tools
10 10%
90% 90
No Code
0 0%
100% 100
Web Frameworks
100 100%
0% 0
Javascript UI Libraries
100 100%
0% 0

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites and Retool.

What makes your product unique?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer

SQLPage enables creating web apps entirely with SQL, bypassing traditional web programming languages, while producing clean, functional web pages.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer

  1. Simplified Development:

    • Unlike traditional web frameworks (e.g., Django, Flask, or Ruby on Rails), SQLPage eliminates the need for separate programming layers. Applications are built using SQL directly, reducing complexity and time-to-market.
    • Tools like Microsoft Access or Airtable focus on low-code development but often involve proprietary systems or limited web integration. SQLPage, being open-source, provides better customization and scalability.
  2. Direct Database Integration:

    • Compared to BI tools like Tableau or Power BI, which offer visualizations but lack direct data modification, SQLPage integrates with relational databases for both read and write operations.
    • SQLPage also offers support for multiple database types (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server) without relying on intermediate APIs or additional query tools.
  3. Full Web Application Support:

    • SQLPage supports dynamic components (forms, charts, etc.) and HTTP functionalities like authentication and JSON API creation, which many BI tools or visualization platforms lack.
    • Traditional CMS platforms like WordPress or Drupal offer dynamic content capabilities but require PHP, templates, and plugins. SQLPage achieves similar results with a simpler SQL-based model.
  4. Performance and Security:

    • Unlike server-side frameworks that often require substantial middleware (Node.js, Python servers), SQLPage is lightweight and Rust-based, delivering faster performance and secure-by-default implementations.
    • It also protects against common vulnerabilities (SQL injection, XSS) without requiring developers to manage these themselves, unlike in raw frameworks or traditional web servers.
  5. Cost-Effectiveness and Open Source:

    • SQLPage is free and open-source, offering significant advantages over proprietary platforms or tools that charge per user or usage (e.g., Salesforce, Airtable).

Best Use Case: SQLPage excels for users looking to quickly build interactive, data-driven web applications without investing in a complex tech stack or expensive proprietary platforms.

How would you describe your primary audience?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer

Data scientists, analysts, and business intelligence teams who need to create data-driven applications without a deep expertise in web development or a lot of time to get from idea to production.

What's the story behind your product?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer

SQLPage was designed to simplify the process of building web apps by leveraging SQL as the sole development language, reducing complexity and focusing on declarative, data-centric application design.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer

Rust for the backend. actix-web for handling HTTP requests. Handlebars for rendering HTML templates. Tabler for clean UI components.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer

Eric Bompard, the Must-Have Cashmere Brand

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites and Retool

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Retool Reviews

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The choice ultimately depends on your environment and use case. Many teams use a combination of tools: for example, Dynomate for developers, and a Retool app for operations or support teams. By understanding the strengths of each alternative, you can select the tool (or combination of tools) that best integrates with your AWS workflow, making DynamoDB development smoother...
Source: www.dynomate.io
React UI Components Libraries: Our Top Picks for 2023
Retool offers extensive documentation and support. Its support is available on its Discourse forum, Slack (if you are a Retool power user), Intercom for live chat, and dedicated support for enterprise customers.
Source: kinsta.com
ILLA Cloud vs. Retool vs. Bubble - Unveiling the Best Low-Code Platforms
In the quest for the best low-code platform, Retool, Bubble, and ILLA Cloud all offer unique features and capabilities. While Retool shines with its self-hosted option and Bubble contributes to the open-source community, ILLA Cloud stands out as a powerful and flexible low-code platform. With its comprehensive feature set, affordable pricing models, and self-hosted...
Top 9 Low-Code Tools for 2023 for low-code development
Retool is a powerful low-code platform that enables developers to build internal tools and apps with ease. It offers a drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of pre-built components for seamless development. Retool integrates with various data sources and external services, allowing users to fetch data, perform calculations, and display results in real-time. Its...
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Retool caters to a diverse audience, including developers, product managers, and business professionals. Developers benefit from Retool's low-code capabilities, allowing them to build applications quickly without sacrificing customization. Product managers can leverage Retool to streamline internal workflows and enable teams to be more productive. Business professionals can...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Retool should be more popular than SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites. It has been mentiond 98 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites mentions (20)

  • The Demise of the Mildly Dynamic Website
    This article resonates with me. I do love "mildly dynamic websites", and have fond memories of my days hacking together PHP websites 15 years ago. And what I am working on today might be called a bridge for the "dynamicity gap". I'm making an open source server to write web apps entirely in SQL ( https://sql.ophir.dev/ ). It has the "one file per page" logic of PHP, and makes it easy to add bits of dynamic... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • SQLPage – Building a full web application with nothing but SQL queries [video]
    Saving a few clicks for readers: Project page: https://sql.ophir.dev/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Bruno
    I am currently looking for a solution to run automated tests on a sql website generator I am working on ( https://sql.ophir.dev ) I wanted to use hurl (https://hurl.dev/), but Bruno's UI seems to be useful while developing the tests... Has someone tried both ? Which is better for automated testing, including when the response type is html and not json? - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Apache Superset
    Full fledged BI tools like Superset and Metabase are amazing for their intended use cases. But they may be an overkill if your primary use case is to infrequently build semi-interactive reports for non-technical end-users and your use cases are are mostly covered by standard graphs & tables. Esp. So if you are familiar with SQL and have access to the underlying data source. Two nifty utilities I have found to be... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • PostgREST: Providing HTML Content Using Htmx
    I feel obligated to add a shameless plug here. The idea is very close to a project I presented at pgconf.eu last week: SQLPage https://sql.ophir.dev/ SQLPage has the same goal as postgrest+htmx, but is a little bit higher level. It let's you build your application using prepackaged components you can invoke directly from SQL, without having to write any HTML, CSS, or JS. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

Retool mentions (98)

  • Code or No Code? The AI Revolution in Web Development
    Retool – Low-code platform for business applications. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • I keep turning my Google Sheets into phone-friendly webapps, and I can't stop
    As mentioned by another poster, check out "Partner portals" section on https://retool.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • How to Build Internal Tools 100x Faster
    It is possible to speed up the development and delivery process for many internal applications by using no-code or low code tools. These vary in offerings from open source to SaaS, including popular ones like AirTable, BudiBase, Retool, NocoDB and others. These can all greatly help speed up delivery times. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Do you need a No Code tool for Firebase?
    There are some No Code tools for Firebase. Some of them are fully integrated, some of them use some limited functions of Firebase through their API. If a tool allows you to integrate with a REST API, you probably can use it. Some of them are: FlutterFlow, JetAdmin, Retool, Bubble, etc. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Visual Basic 6 rebuilt in C# – complete with form designer and IDE in browser
    >The No-Code world is fascinating, and the best I've seen in this space is https://retool.com/, but it's expensive and locks you into their ecosystem. >Even today, small businesses need to build out simple apps that were simple to do back in the Visual Basic days—a stock control system, a basic support system, sales tools, etc. Today, it's a minefield of options that can quickly get expensive. A RAD tool like... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites and Retool, you can also consider the following products

htmx - high power tools for HTML

Appsmith - Appsmith is an open source web framework for building internal tools, admin panels, dashboards, and workflows.

Postgres.js - Postgres.js - The Fastest full featured PostgreSQL client for Node.js - porsager/postgres

Airtable - Airtable works like a spreadsheet but gives you the power of a database to organize anything. Sign up for free.

Gio UI - Gio is an open source library for creating portable, immediate mode GUI programs for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, macOS.

Bubble.io - Building tech is slow and expensive. Bubble is the most powerful no-code platform for creating digital products.