Side by side

ERD Designer vs Schemity

Both stand on database design tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

ERD Designer

Free plan ExtensionWeb

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.

Visit ERD Designer

Schemity

Free plan APILinuxMac+2

Schemity combines schema design with a review step before migrations run, and supports a range of databases. Its trial is time-limited, and live database features require an active license afterward.

Visit Schemity

The facts

	ERD Designer	Schemity
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	No
Runs on	Extension, Web	API, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	See the plans
Plans published	1	8
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	kajitiluna.github.io	schemity.com
On database design tools	#11 of 35	#15 of 35

ERD Designer: what it does well

Free and open source.
Browser version requires no installation or account.
Generates DDL for seven supported databases.
Imports existing DDL.
Exports table specifications and diagrams in multiple formats.

What to know first

Google Drive files do not support simultaneous editing.
Agent plugin and MCP server are experimental.
CLI database comparison is read-only.
Migration command drafts SQL rather than applying it.

Schemity: what it does well

Previews migration effects before running changes.
Supports six listed databases.
Schema linting checks 26 problem classes.
Trial unlocks all features without a credit card.

What to know first

Trial lasts two weeks.
Live database features pause after the trial without a license.
License costs $129 one-time.

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