ERD Designer

What ERD Designer is

ERD Designer is a free, open-source tool for visually designing database schemas. Users arrange tables on an interactive canvas, define relationships, and have foreign keys synchronized automatically. It can generate DDL for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL Server, SQLite, BigQuery, and Snowflake, and import existing DDL. Table specifications can be exported to Excel or Google Spreadsheets; diagrams can be exported as PNG, SVG, or interactive HTML. Column Share Models reuse column definitions across tables, while Column Groups apply common columns in bulk. ERD Designer is available in a browser, as a VSCode extension, and as a Google Drive app. The browser version stores design data locally in IndexedDB and does not require installation or an account. Google Drive files can be viewed simultaneously, but not edited simultaneously. A separately installed CLI compares designs with database schemas or revisions; database comparison is read-only, and its migration command drafts SQL. The agent plugin supports Claude Code and GitHub Copilot CLI, and both that plugin and the MCP server are experimental. The project directs bug reports and feature requests to GitHub Issues.

Who it suits

ERD Designer suits people who want to design database schemas visually, generate DDL for supported databases, or import and export schema materials. It may also fit users who prefer a browser-based start without installing software or creating an account.

Limits

The free plan is free of charge. Google Drive files can be viewed simultaneously but not edited simultaneously; CLI database comparison is read-only, and the migration command only drafts SQL. The agent plugin and MCP server are experimental.

Getting started

1. Open the browser version at the product website; no installation or account is required.
2. Alternatively, use the VSCode extension or Google Drive app.
3. Arrange tables on the canvas and define their relationships.
4. Generate DDL for a supported database or import existing DDL.
5. Export table specifications or diagrams as needed.
6. Install the separate CLI if you want to compare designs with schemas or revisions.

Verdict

Choose ERD Designer if you need a free, open-source way to build database schemas visually and work with DDL across its supported databases. Look elsewhere if simultaneous editing of Google Drive files is essential or you need a migration command that applies changes rather than drafting SQL.