DBModeler

What DBModeler is

DBModeler is a browser-based entity-relationship modeling tool for designing databases and generating SQL for 14 engines. Its visual editor supports table editing, relationships, undo and redo, automatic arrangement, and PNG diagram export. It can generate engine-aware CREATE SQL for an initial model and ALTER migrations for later revisions. Users can also paste or upload existing DDL; an import planner previews proposed changes before they affect the model.

Each version has a snapshot and diff that can be compared, rolled back, regenerated as SQL, or synced to Git. Models may be kept in the browser or synced through Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Schemas can be published to GitHub or GitLab as commits, branches, or pull or merge requests. The editor works offline when installed as a progressive web app, with syncing resuming after the user reconnects. DBModeler also produces schema-validator outputs for libraries including Yup, Zod, Joi, Ajv, and Pydantic.

The free plan includes every feature, has no usage quotas, supports all 14 engines, and does not require an account. DBModeler runs on the web and supports reverse and forward engineering and SQL export. Team collaboration is not available; the site describes a managed team edition as coming soon and shared diagrams across cloud storage as in progress.

Who it suits

DBModeler suits individuals who want to design database schemas in a browser, generate SQL, or work from existing DDL. Its version history, cloud storage sync, Git publishing, and offline mode can support individual workflows, while teams needing collaboration inside the tool may find its current scope limiting.

Limits

The free plan has no usage quotas and includes every feature and all 14 engines. Team collaboration is unavailable, and shared diagrams across cloud storage are in progress.

Getting started

1. Open the DBModeler website in a browser.
2. Start using the free plan; an account is not required.
3. Create a model in the visual editor, or paste or upload existing DDL.
4. Choose a supported database engine for SQL generation.
5. Optionally sync models with Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, or publish schemas to GitHub or GitLab.
6. Install it as a progressive web app to use the editor offline.

Verdict

Pick DBModeler for free browser-based database modeling with SQL generation, version history, and support for 14 engines. Its main limitation for groups is that team collaboration is unavailable, while the managed team edition and shared cloud diagrams are still in progress.