Retool Security Best Practices
Secure your Retool internal tools with these essential practices. From access control to query security.
Verify your app follows these best practices automatically.
Retool builds internal tools that often access sensitive data. These practices help you secure your Retool applications properly.
Quick Wins
Security Best Practices
#1Use SSO for Authentication
criticalEnable Single Sign-On with your identity provider instead of separate Retool logins.
Implementation
Configure SSO in Settings → Authentication with your IdP
#2Implement Role-Based Access Control
criticalCreate roles with minimal permissions. Not everyone needs access to all resources.
Implementation
Create groups with specific permissions, assign users to appropriate groups
#3Use Resource-Level Permissions
criticalRestrict which users can access which database connections and APIs.
Implementation
Configure resource permissions per group, limit access to production data
#4Parameterize All Queries
highNever concatenate user input into SQL queries. Use Retool's parameter system.
Implementation
Use {{ }} syntax for parameters, never build dynamic SQL strings
SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = '" + textInput.value + "'SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = {{ textInput.value }}#5Enable Audit Logs
highTrack who accesses what data and when. Required for compliance and incident response.
Implementation
Enable audit logging in Settings, review logs regularly
#6Use Read Replicas for Queries
mediumConnect queries to read replicas instead of primary databases when possible.
Implementation
Create separate read-only resource connections for dashboards
Common Mistakes to Avoid
All users have admin access
Over-privileged access increases breach impact
Create roles with minimal required permissions
Dynamic SQL with user input
Enables SQL injection through internal tools
Always use Retool's parameterized query syntax
Production database for development
Developers can accidentally modify production data
Use separate resource connections for dev/staging/prod
Verify Your Retool App Security
Following best practices is the first step. Verify your app is actually secure with a comprehensive security scan.
Get Starter ScanFrequently Asked Questions
Is Retool secure for production use?
Yes, Retool is used by large enterprises. Security depends on configuration: enable SSO, use RBAC, parameterize queries, and enable audit logging.
How do I prevent SQL injection in Retool?
Use Retool's {{ }} parameter syntax for all user input. Never concatenate variables into SQL strings. Retool automatically escapes parameterized values.
Should I use Retool Cloud or self-hosted?
Retool Cloud is secure for most use cases. Self-hosted gives you more control for regulated industries or air-gapped environments.
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Last updated: January 2026