yoyo-migrations

Paid Self-hosted

What yoyo-migrations is

yoyo-migrations is a free, open-source tool for changing database schemas as applications evolve. Developers can write migration steps as SQL files or Python scripts, then use the command line to apply, roll back, reapply, list, mark or unmark them. Migrations may declare dependencies, and yoyo orders them by dependency and then filename. Python migrations can use SQL queries or Python functions for applying and reversing changes, and the tool can also be called from Python code. Core backends support PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; contributed backends include ODBC, Oracle, Snowflake and Redshift, although ODBC and Oracle are described as unsupported. Each migration runs in a separate transaction with savepoints. Some databases, including MySQL, cannot roll back DDL, so failed changes may need manual recovery. Installation is documented through PyPI and pip, under the Apache Software License.

Who it suits

It suits developers managing schema changes in self-hosted database projects, especially those using SQL or Python migrations. The command line and Python integration support both console and code-based workflows.

What it does well

Free and open source
Supports SQL and Python migration scripts
Provides rollback and reapply commands
Dependency-aware migration ordering
Core PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite backends

What to know first

ODBC and Oracle backends are unsupported
Some DDL cannot be rolled back
Failed migrations may require manual recovery
Self-hosted deployment

Verdict

yoyo-migrations provides dependency-aware schema changes with command-line and Python control. Its transaction model and rollback commands are useful, but database-specific DDL limits can require manual recovery.

Facts from yoyo-migrations's own pages

Apply and rollback: Its command line can list, apply, roll back, reapply, and mark migrations. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Credential handling: The prompt-password option prompts for a database password to help prevent it from appearing in process listings. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Custom backends: Custom database backends can be added as Python packages and discovered through entry points. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Database backends: Documented backends include PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, ODBC, Oracle, Snowflake, and Redshift. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Database limitation: Some databases, including MySQL, do not support rolling back DDL statements, so a failed migration may require manual database recovery. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Installation: The documentation instructs users to install yoyo-migrations from PyPI with pip. · ollycope.com, 5 Oct 2026
Intended audience: PyPI classifies the package for developers and the console environment. · pypi.org, 11 Oct 2026
License: PyPI lists the license as Apache Software License (Apache). · pypi.org, 5 Oct 2026
Migration controls: The command line can apply, roll back, reapply, list, mark, and unmark migrations. · ollycope.com, 5 Oct 2026
Migration dependencies: Migrations can declare dependencies, and yoyo runs them in dependency then filename order. · ollycope.com, 5 Oct 2026
Migration formats: Migration scripts can be written as SQL files or Python scripts. · ollycope.com, 5 Oct 2026
Migration ordering: Migrations can declare dependencies and run in dependency then filename order. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Yoyo is a database schema migration tool whose migrations are SQL files or Python scripts. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Python integration: Yoyo can also be called from Python code to read migrations and apply or roll them back through a database backend. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Python steps: Python migrations can use SQL queries or Python functions for apply and rollback steps. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Python use: Yoyo can be called from Python code to read migrations and apply or roll them back. · ollycope.com, 5 Oct 2026
Security configuration: The documentation shows SSL options for MySQL connections, including certificate and key settings. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The project documentation directs users to its issue tracker and mailing list for issues, questions, and suggestions. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Transaction limitation: Some databases, such as MySQL, do not support rolling back DDL statements, so errors may require manually resetting database state. · ollycope.com, 5 Oct 2026
Transactions: Each migration runs in a separate transaction with savepoints isolating its steps, where supported by the database. · ollycope.com, 11 Oct 2026
Unsupported backends: The package listing says ODBC and Oracle backends are available but unsupported. · pypi.org, 5 Oct 2026

Where yoyo-migrations stands on Freedom251

Database Migration Tools#32 of 32