ToolJet/ToolJet
ToolJet is the open-source foundation of ToolJet AI - the enterprise app generation platform for building internal tools, dashboard, business applications, workflows and AI agents 🚀
ToolJet is an open-source low-code platform for building internal tools, dashboards, and business apps by dragging components and connecting them to your data. It now adds AI app generation and AI agents, so you can describe an internal tool and wire in workflows without a full front-end build.
Our Review
ToolJet has grown to 38,000 GitHub stars as an open-source answer to closed internal-tool builders like Retool. You assemble an app from pre-built components, bind them to databases and APIs, and ship it, and the newer ToolJet AI layer can generate apps and agents from a prompt.
What ToolJet does:
- •Drag-and-drop app builder assemble internal tools and dashboards from 45+ pre-built UI components on a visual canvas.
- •Connect to your data bind apps to databases (Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB), REST and GraphQL APIs, and SaaS tools.
- •Workflows automate multi-step logic and background jobs visually, with no separate automation tool needed.
- •ToolJet AI generate apps and components from a prompt and build AI agents into your internal tools.
- •Self-hosted or cloud run it on your own infrastructure with Docker or Kubernetes, or use ToolJet Cloud.
- •Extensible with code drop in JavaScript and Python when the no-code path runs out.
Getting started:
Self-host with Docker from the repo, or sign up for ToolJet Cloud. Create an app, connect a data source, drag in components, and publish. Docs at docs.tooljet.com.
Limitations:
ToolJet is AGPL-3.0 licensed, a strong copyleft license, so offering a modified version as a service triggers source-sharing obligations; review it before commercial use. It is aimed at internal tools and dashboards, so it is less suited to polished public-facing consumer products. Self-hosting means running the stack yourself, and the breadth of connectors and features has a learning curve for a first app.
Our Verdict
ToolJet is one of the strongest open-source ways in 2026 to build internal tools without a full engineering project. If your team keeps requesting dashboards, admin panels, and back-office apps, ToolJet lets you assemble them visually and connect them to real data, with 38,000 stars behind it.
For vibe builders, ToolJet means shipping a working internal app without coding a front end: drag components onto a canvas, connect a database or API, and use ToolJet AI to generate apps and agents from a prompt.
For developers, ToolJet self-hosts with Docker or Kubernetes, connects to the databases and APIs you already run, and drops to JavaScript or Python when you need custom logic. Just account for the AGPL-3.0 license if you plan to offer it as a service.
Skip ToolJet if you are building a polished public consumer product; a full framework gives more design control. If you only need to automate a workflow with no UI, a tool like Zapier is lighter than an app builder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ToolJet?
ToolJet is an open-source low-code platform for building internal tools, dashboards, and business applications. You drag pre-built components onto a canvas, connect them to databases and APIs, and add visual workflows. Its ToolJet AI layer can generate apps and components from a prompt and build AI agents into your tools. It runs self-hosted or on ToolJet Cloud.
Is ToolJet free and open source?
Yes. ToolJet's core is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license and free to self-host as of 2026. ToolJet also offers paid cloud and enterprise plans with extra features and support. Because AGPL-3.0 is a copyleft license, if you modify ToolJet and offer it as a network service, you must share your source.
What can I build with ToolJet?
ToolJet is built for internal software: admin panels, customer-support dashboards, inventory and CRM tools, approval workflows, and database front ends. You connect Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB, REST or GraphQL APIs, and SaaS tools, then assemble a UI from components. With ToolJet AI you can also generate apps and embed AI agents into those tools.
How is ToolJet different from Retool?
Both are low-code internal-tool builders. ToolJet is open source and self-hostable under AGPL-3.0, while Retool is a closed-source commercial product. Choose Retool for a fully managed, enterprise-backed experience; choose ToolJet when you want open source, self-hosting, data control, and no per-developer pricing for the core platform.
Can I self-host ToolJet?
Yes. ToolJet is designed to be self-hosted as of 2026, with Docker and Kubernetes deployment options, so you can run it inside your own infrastructure and keep app data in your environment. A managed ToolJet Cloud is available if you prefer not to operate it. Review the AGPL-3.0 terms before commercial redistribution.
How do I install ToolJet?
Visit the GitHub repository at https://github.com/ToolJet/ToolJet for installation instructions.
What license does ToolJet use?
ToolJet uses the AGPL-3.0 license.
What are alternatives to ToolJet?
Explore related tools and alternatives on My AI Guide.
Open source & community-verified
AGPL-3.0 licensed: free to use in any project, no strings attached. 37,970 developers have starred this, meaning the community has reviewed and trusted it.
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