Compose

Compose is an open-source platform that enables backend engineers to rapidly build internal applications using their existing backend code. It provides SDKs for Node.js and Python, a library of UI components, and features like audit logs and role-based permissions to manage and share these tools.

Compose is a strong match for Retool's concept. It explicitly states its purpose is to 'Build internal tools with just backend code' and targets backend engineers. It offers SDKs for Node.js and Python, allowing integration with existing backend logic and databases (api-database-integrations, code-customization). While it emphasizes backend code, it also provides '40+ ready-to-use UI components' and generates 'Responsive, beautiful UIs out of the box', which aligns with a drag-and-drop UI builder concept, albeit with a code-first approach to UI generation. It also mentions 'Granular permissions' and 'Role-based permissions' (access-control-security), 'Audit logs' (audit-logs-analytics), 'Theming' (custom-theming-branding), and 'Secure external sharing' which can be interpreted as partner portals. The 'Made for AI-powered development' feature also aligns with AI-generated app assistant.