Security Analysis

Is Retool Safe?

Last updated: January 12, 2026

An honest security analysis of Retool for developers considering it for their projects.

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Quick Answer

Safe - configure access controls

Retool is safe for internal tools with proper access controls. Unlike no-code website builders, Retool is designed specifically for internal tools that connect to databases and APIs. Given it connects directly to production data sources (Postgres, MongoDB, APIs), configuration is critical - a misconfigured app could expose your entire database.

Security Assessment

Security Strengths

  • SOC 2 Type II certified - enterprise-grade compliance
  • Self-hosted option (Retool On-Premise) for air-gapped deployments
  • Comprehensive audit logging with user action tracking
  • Granular RBAC - control access per app, resource, and query
  • Query approval workflows for sensitive operations
  • SSO integration (SAML, OIDC) for enterprise identity management

Security Concerns

  • Resource credentials stored in Retool - potential blast radius if compromised
  • SQL injection possible if using raw string interpolation in queries
  • Apps default to accessible by all org members - explicit restriction needed
  • API endpoints created by Retool are publicly addressable (auth required)
  • Staging/dev apps may accidentally connect to production databases

Security Checklist for Retool

  • 1
    Use parameterized queries: {{ table.selectedRow.id }} not raw SQL concatenation
  • 2
    Set up Resource Groups to limit which databases each team can access
  • 3
    Enable 'Protected Apps' for production tools requiring approval
  • 4
    Configure query timeouts to prevent runaway queries
  • 5
    Use read-only database credentials where possible
  • 6
    Enable audit logs and set up alerts for sensitive queries
  • 7
    Consider Retool On-Premise for SOC 2/HIPAA workloads

The Verdict

Retool is secure for internal tools when properly configured. The main risks are SQL injection from string interpolation and overly permissive app access. Use parameterized queries, resource groups, and protected apps for production workloads.

Security Research & Industry Data

Understanding Retool security in the context of broader industry trends and research.

10.3%

of Lovable applications (170 out of 1,645) had exposed user data in the CVE-2025-48757 incident

Source: CVE-2025-48757 security advisory

4.45 million USD

average cost of a data breach in 2023

Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023

500,000+

developers using vibe coding platforms like Lovable, Bolt, and Replit

Source: Combined platform statistics 2024-2025

What Security Experts Say

“Vibe coding your way to a production codebase is clearly risky. Most of the work we do as software engineers involves evolving existing systems, where the quality and understandability of the underlying code is crucial.”

Simon Willison — Security Researcher, Django Co-creator

“The problem with AI-generated code isn't that it doesn't work - it's that it works just well enough to ship, but contains subtle security flaws that are hard to spot.”

Security Research Community — Collective wisdom from security researchers

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Retool different from Bubble or Webflow?

Retool is purpose-built for internal tools that connect to YOUR databases, while Bubble/Webflow are for customer-facing apps with their own data storage. Retool connects directly to Postgres, MongoDB, MySQL, REST APIs, etc. This means Retool has access to your production data - making proper RBAC and query security critical.

Can someone SQL inject through a Retool app?

Yes, if you use string interpolation. WRONG: `SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = '${textInput.value}'`. RIGHT: `SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = {{ textInput.value }}`. Retool's {{ }} syntax uses parameterized queries that prevent injection. Always use {{ }} for user inputs.

Should I use Retool Cloud or Self-Hosted?

Retool Cloud is fine for most internal tools - it's SOC 2 Type II certified. Use Retool On-Premise (self-hosted) if you: can't send data to third parties (HIPAA, air-gapped), need to connect to databases without public endpoints, or have regulatory requirements for data residency.

How do I prevent developers from accessing production data?

Use Resource Groups to separate prod/staging databases. Create a 'Production' group with read-only prod credentials and limit access to senior engineers. Create a 'Development' group with staging credentials for everyone else. Protected Apps add an additional approval layer.

Are Retool API endpoints secure?

Retool Workflows and APIs are publicly addressable URLs but require authentication. You can choose between Retool auth (user must be logged in) or API key auth. Never expose sensitive operations without auth. Use rate limiting and IP allowlisting for extra protection.

Verify Your Retool App Security

Don't guess - scan your app and know for certain. VAS checks for all the common security issues in Retool applications.

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Related Security Guides

Retool Security ScannerVibe Coding SecurityRLS Misconfiguration GuideAPI Key ExposureSupabase SecurityFirebase Security