Side by side
DrawSQL vs SchemaSpy
Both stand on data modeling software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APIWeb
DrawSQL combines schema visualization, SQL import, exports, and team features in one web tool. The free plan covers public diagrams, while private work, AI review, and real-time collaboration require paid plans.
Visit DrawSQL Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
Choose SchemaSpy if you want free, shareable database documentation generated from metadata, with diagrams, statistics, and anomaly checks. Look elsewhere if you need a graphical interface; SchemaSpy is operated from the command line and requires setup prerequisites for database access and diagram rendering.
Visit SchemaSpyThe facts
| DrawSQL | SchemaSpy | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Web | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Starter: $19 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | drawsql.app | schemaspy.org |
| On data modeling software | #7 of 27 | #11 of 27 |
DrawSQL: what it does well
- Imports SQL CREATE TABLE statements into diagrams
- Supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and MariaDB
- Exports DDL, Laravel migrations, and JSON
- Free plan includes unlimited public diagrams
- Diagrams support comments and sharing
What to know first
- Free diagrams are limited to 15 tables each
- Private diagrams require an eligible paid plan
- AI review and real-time editing require paid plans
SchemaSpy: what it does well
- Creates entity-relationship diagrams from an existing database.
- Supports over a dozen databases out of the box.
- Exports structural statistics to Excel or CSV.
- Can report missing indexes, implied relationships, and orphan tables.
- Generated HTML can be shared with a team or community.
What to know first
- It has no graphical interface.
- The JAR distribution does not include JDBC drivers.
- Diagram rendering requires viz.js or Graphviz.
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