Compared with Retool
An open-source alternative to Retool, for admin panels.
Retool gives you a canvas and components to build internal tools. Adminium reads your database and builds the admin first; you change what is already there. It is open source, self-hosted and free.
npx @adminiumjs/adminium new my-admin Checked against Retool’s pricing and self-hosting pages on 8 October 2026.
Which one fits.
Adminium fits when
- What you need is the admin for a database: browse, edit, roles, an audit log
- You want it running in minutes, not designed screen by screen
- The data must stay on your own machines, with no vendor account
- You do not want a price that grows with every person you add
Retool fits better when
- You are building a custom tool that is not shaped like your tables
- You want a hosted service someone else runs
- You need single sign-on today
Questions
Is Adminium a drop-in replacement for Retool?
No. It replaces the part of Retool people use for database admin panels. It is not a general canvas for building any internal tool.
Can I move a Retool app to Adminium?
There is no importer. Point Adminium at the same database and it builds its own admin from the schema; then adjust the pages it made.
Can I build custom screens in Adminium?
Yes, as an app: your own staff and customer screens on top of the same data. You can write one by hand or describe it to the Designer.
Keep reading
Retool is a trademark of its owner. Adminium is not affiliated with Retool.
Your database already has the data. Give it an interface.
Free and open source. Running on your own machine in about a minute.