Freedom251 › Database Design Tools
Skipper
What Skipper is
Skipper is desktop software for visually designing projects that use object-relational mapping. Users can import an existing project or create a model from scratch, edit model elements, and export generated definitions as XML, YML, or annotations. The editor handles modules, regions, entities, associations, inheritances, ORM properties, indexes, and comments. Supported frameworks include Doctrine, Doctrine2, Laravel, Symfony, MongoDB, Propel, Knex.js, CakePHP, Zend Framework, and customized or in-house ORM. Database structures can be imported from SQLite, MySQL, and PostgreSQL on Windows, macOS, and Linux; Microsoft SQL Server import is listed for Windows. Modules can be shared between projects, and users can define and run third-party tools. Skipper runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The full license costs $595, paid once for one user and one computer, including 12 months of updates. A 14-day trial includes all features and checks its license online at startup.
Who it suits
Skipper suits developers and teams modeling ORM projects across Windows, macOS, or Linux. It is also useful when importing supported database structures or sharing modules between projects.
What it does well
- Visual editing covers entities, associations, and inheritances
- Exports XML, YML, and annotations
- Supports multiple ORM frameworks
- Imports SQLite, MySQL, and PostgreSQL structures
- Trial includes all functions and features
What to know first
- Full license costs $595, paid once
- Trial requires an online license check at each start
- Microsoft SQL Server import is listed for Windows only
- SQL export is not supported
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Skipper Maintenance | 12-month updates extension for full ORM Designer / Skipper license · Requires a full license | $199 a year |
| VIP support | Custom application adaptation (per hour) · Per hour | $240 |
| Skipper Full License | Lifetime license for one user + 12 months of free updates · One user · one computer | $595, paid once |
As skipper18.com lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Skipper provides a visual ORM modeling workflow with code-generation exports and database importing. Its desktop support and project-sharing features suit structured development work, though licensing is paid.
Facts from Skipper's own pages
- Database import
- Skipper can import database structures into an ORM entity model and lists SQLite, MySQL, and PostgreSQL for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus Microsoft SQL Server for Windows. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- The features page lists XML, YML, and annotations as supported export formats. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Frameworks
- The maker lists Doctrine, Doctrine2, Laravel, Symfony, customized and in-house ORM, MongoDB, Propel, Knex.js, CakePHP, and Zend Framework as supported frameworks. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Maintenance
- The included 12-month maintenance period provides updates, software support, and a viewer license; active maintenance also gives support queries higher priority. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Maker and headquarters
- The GDPR page identifies the maker as Inventic s.r.o. and gives its address as Julianovske namesti 3878/2, 63600 Brno, Czech Republic. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Model sharing
- Modules can be shared across multiple projects, with changes in one project transferred to the others. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The maker lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported operating systems and distributes standalone installers or zip archives. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Inventic says it does not gather project model data automatically and only receives a model if the user intentionally sends it, for example to resolve an application issue. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Project workflow
- Users can import an existing project or create a model from scratch, edit it visually, and export generated definitions. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Skipper is a visual editor for projects using object-relational mapping, combining a visual model with editing and code generation. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is available by email or forum, and the maker says common questions usually receive a response in less than one workday. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Third-party tools
- Users can define and run third-party tools directly from the application. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The 14-day trial includes all functions and features, requires an online license check at each start, and can be extended by seven days on request. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Visual editing
- The visual model supports creating, moving, editing, and removing modules, regions, entities, associations, inheritances, ORM properties, indexes, and comments. · skipper18.com, 10 Oct 2026
Where Skipper stands on Freedom251
- Database Design Tools#29 of 35