intro
Let’s explore and analyze the best SQL internal tool builder platforms currently available.
Most companies need internal tools to support their operations and unique workflows. This is especially true when it comes to internal platforms, dashboards, and views for handling or visualizing data.
That is why, over the years, a variety of internal tool builders have emerged. That makes it easy to build SQL-based applications through no-code or low-code experiences. With the rise of AI, the growing popularity of integration solutions, and the maturity of the no-code/low-code industry, those solutions have become more powerful and widely adopted.
Join us as we explore the top SQL internal tool builders of the year, carefully selected and analyzed so you do not have to test them all yourself!
What Are SQL Internal Tool Builders?
Internal tool builders are platforms that organizations can use to create custom internal applications and workflows. In the realm of SQL, these tools are specifically designed to interact with and leverage data stored in SQL databases.
In particular, SQL internal tool builders provide a simplified way to build applications for internal use, such as operational dashboards, admin panels, CRUD interfaces, or reporting tools (all powered by data from SQL databases).
To accelerate the development process, most of these platforms offer low-code or no-code capabilities. This means users can build tools using visual interfaces, pre-built components, and minimal code, without needing to write full-fledged applications from scratch.
Thus, in this guide, we will focus on no-code and low-code platforms designed for building internal tools that interact with SQL databases.
Selecting No-Code and Low-Code SQL Internal Tool Builders
When comparing the best SQL internal tool builders on the market, these are the main elements to consider:
Top SQL Internal Tool Builder Tools
Let’s apply the criteria presented earlier to evaluate the best SQL internal tool builders with no-code and low-code capabilities.
Note: The list below is not a ranking, which means that the tools are listed in random order. Treat it as a curated, unordered selection of the top SQL internal tool builders.
Appsmith
Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform for building internal applications. It provides a visual interface with customizable widgets and supports integration with various databases and APIs, helping you efficiently create dashboards, admin panels, and more.
Goal: Build internal applications such as dashboards and admin panels with a focus on SQL database integration.
Nature: Open-source platform available for both for self-hosted deployments and in the cloud.
SQL querying: Supports manual SQL query writing and offers a visual interface for query building.
Type: Low-code platform.
Free trial: 15-day free trial of the Business plan.
Pricing:
User reviews: 5.0/5 (2 reviews)
DronaHQ
DronaHQ is a low-code/no-code platform for building internal tools, dashboards, admin panels, and other business applications. It uses a drag-and-drop interface, with AI capabilities to build frontend interfaces, and integrates with various data sources, allowing for rapid application development.
Goal: Build internal apps by connecting to databases, APIs, and automation workflows.
Nature: Cloud-hosted low-code platform with a self-hosting option.
SQL querying: Provides a visual query builder for composing SQL queries without code, alongside support for manual query writing.
Type: Low-code platform with drag-and-drop UI controls, with support for optional JavaScript scripting.
Free trial: 30-day trial.
Pricing: Multiple plans and options (user-based model, usage-based model, and developer-only model).
User reviews: 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
Google AppSheet
AppSheet is a no-code platform by Google that enables users to create mobile and web applications directly from data sources like Google Sheets and SQL databases. It comes with automation features and supports building apps without writing code.
Goal: Build mobile and web applications without coding, supporting workflows and automating tasks using existing data sources.
Nature: Cloud-based no-code platform integrated with Google Cloud services.
SQL querying: Users can connect to SQL databases and define data relationships and logic through a visual interface without writing SQL queries.
Type: No-code platform.
Free trial: Possibility to try every feature of the platform with up to 10 test users.
Pricing:
User reviews: 4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Microsoft Power Apps
Power Apps is a collection of low-code tools and services by Microsoft to build custom business apps with minimal coding. It connects to various data sources, including SQL Server and Microsoft Dataverse, supporting rapid web and mobile application development.
Goal: Create custom business applications within the Microsoft ecosystem that connect to various data sources.
Nature: Cloud-based low-code platform, part of the Microsoft Power Platform suite.
SQL querying: Can connect to SQL Server and other databases, supporting the creation of apps using visual tools and expressions without writing SQL or via custom queries.
Type: Low-code platform.
Free trial: 30-day free trial.
Pricing:
User reviews: 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Quickbase
Quickbase is a low-code cloud platform for building custom applications to manage projects and workflows, especially in enterprise environments. It offers visual tools for data modeling and automation, minimizing direct SQL interaction.
Goal: Develop custom applications to manage complex projects and workflows without extensive coding.
Nature: Cloud-based low-code platform for enterprise-grade applications.
SQL querying: Offers visual tools for data modeling and automation, but direct SQL querying is not a primary feature.
Type: Low-code platform.
Free trial: 30-day free trial.
Pricing:
User reviews: 4.4/5 (321 reviews)
Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is a low-code application development platform to craft custom apps for various business needs. It offers drag-and-drop interfaces, supports workflow automation, and integrates with several data sources—including SQL databases.
Goal: Build custom applications that automate business processes and workflows with minimal coding.
Nature: Cloud-based low-code platform with options for on-premises deployment.
SQL querying: Allows connections to external databases, with no support for custom SQL queries.
Type: Low-code platform, with support for the Deluge programming language.
Free trial: 15-day free trial.
Pricing:
User reviews: 4.3/5 (163 reviews)
Softr
Softr is a no-code solution for building web applications and internal tools from data sources like Airtable and SQL databases. It provides pre-built templates and components, facilitating quick development without coding.
Goal: Craft custom web apps, client portals, or internal tools without coding, using data from various sources like Airtable, Google Sheets, and SQL databases.
Nature: Cloud-based platform.
SQL querying: Offers visual interfaces to connect and interact with SQL databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and MariaDB.
Type: No-code platform.
Free trial: Possibility to try premium features via a free trial.
Pricing:
User reviews: 4.7/5 (62 reviews)
Glide
Glide is a no-code platform that transforms spreadsheets (like Google Sheets) into mobile and web applications. It also supports connecting to MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server to perform direct SQL queries for data interaction.
Goal: Transform spreadsheets into mobile and web applications without coding.
Nature: Cloud-based service.
SQL querying: Primarily connects to data sources like Google Sheets and Airtable but also supports direct SQL querying.
Type: No-code platform with support for custom SQL queries.
Free trial: 30-day free trial for users and 14-day free trial for companies.
Pricing:
User reviews: 4.7/5 (95 reviews)
Best No-Code and Low-Code SQL Internal Tool Builders: Summary Table
Compare the no-code and low-code SQL internal tool builders analyzed in this guide with the summary table below:
| Tool | Type | Cloud Options | Support for Self-hosting | Open-Source Options | Support for Custom SQL Queries | Free Trial | Free Forever Plan | Capterra Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appsmith | Low-code | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 5.0/5 (2 reviews) |
| DronaHQ | Low-code | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | 4.4/5 (39 reviews) |
| Google AppSheet | No-code | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ (only for personal usage) | 4.7/5 (49 reviews) |
| Microsoft Power Apps | Low-code | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | 4.5/5 (33 reviews) |
| Quickbase | Low-code | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | 4.4/5 (321 reviews) |
| Zoho Creator | Low-code | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | 4.3/5 (163 reviews) |
| Softr | No-code | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 4.7/5 (62 reviews) |
| Glide | No-code (but with support for custom SQL queries) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 4.7/5 (95 reviews) |
Conclusion
In this guide, you learned what SQL internal tool building is and why most of these platforms offer no-code and low-code capabilities.
Keep in mind that there are many tools on the market that fit this category, but testing and evaluating them all would cost you time and money. Fortunately, we have done the research for you!
Here, we highlighted the best options and summarized what they offer so you can easily find the right SQL internal tool builder for your needs.
Do you agree with this list? Did we miss your favorite tool? Get in touch.
