DTM Data Generator

DTM Data Generator is a self-hosted tool for producing synthetic and repeatable database test data, with schema-aware relationships and broad import and export options. It is best suited to database specialists and teams maintaining substantial test environments. The trade-off is a paid, edition-based product whose most useful automation and output capabilities sit above Standard.

Overview

The generator creates data rows and schema objects for test database population, performance analysis, QA, and load testing. It can inspect an existing schema and resolve master-detail key relationships automatically, which is valuable when related tables must remain coherent without hand-built foreign-key rules.

Fifteen field-generation methods, about 70 built-in functions, and an expression processor support random as well as repeatable values. Sources can include databases, CSV and text files, Excel, XML, JSON, web resources, and user-defined scripts. Results can load directly into a database or become SQL scripts, text/CSV, XML, or JSON. XML and JSON output is restricted to Professional and Enterprise, making Standard a weaker fit when files are a primary deliverable.

Key features

Generation and refresh control

Selective update, append, and replace modes cover different refresh patterns. Data scramble mode adds masking for sensitive test copies, but it is an Enterprise-only feature. Scheduled refresh automation and API access make the product more suitable for repeatable pipelines than a one-off desktop generator. Command-line operation works from a predefined project file; console mode is included in Professional and Enterprise.

Connectivity and formats

Database access uses ODBC, OLE DB, or Oracle Call Interface, while JDBC is available only through the multiplatform runtime. Named database support spans Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB2, Sybase, Informix, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Interbase/Firebird, and SQLite. That breadth helps mixed-database shops, although the JDBC qualification matters for teams standardising on Java connectivity.

Capacity and privacy

Standard permits up to 128 rules per project and 10,000,000 rows per rule. Professional and Enterprise remove the rule-count ceiling and provide higher per-rule row limits, making them the sensible choices for large or heavily partitioned workloads. DTM soft states that its free, demo, and commercial products contain no adware or spyware and do not collect or use information unless user-managed special logging is enabled. Built-in and online help are included; Enterprise adds priority technical support.

Pricing

There is no free plan, but demo downloads are offered for all three editions and a free trial is available. Prices are one-time payments for Build 3.02, rather than subscriptions.

Standard: $149.00 USD for one license, $299.00 for three, or $479.00 for five. It is aimed at individuals and small working groups, with 128 rules per project and 10,000,000 rows per rule. It gives up XML/JSON output, Enterprise scrambling, and the larger editions' unlimited rules.

Professional: $299.00 USD for one license, $599.00 for three, or $899.00 for five. It targets professionals and working groups with large databases, adding XML/JSON output, unlimited rules, higher row limits, and console mode.

Enterprise: $439.00 USD for one license, $979.00 for three, $1,399.00 for five, or $2,499.00 for ten. Corporate solution developers get Professional capabilities plus data scrambling and priority technical support.

The license counts are explicit, so teams should match the purchase to the number of users who need the software rather than assume a site-wide entitlement.

Platforms

DTM Data Generator runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The download offering includes Windows builds and a Java multiplatform runtime, supporting the cross-platform deployment model. It is self-hosted, which keeps generated data and database access within the organisation's environment.

Who it's for

Choose Standard for individual developers or small teams that can work within its rule and output limits. Professional fits database professionals handling large schemas, file-based XML or JSON delivery, or command-line console workflows. Enterprise is the right tier for corporate developers who need scrambling and priority support. Smaller projects that only need a few thousand rows or a hosted mock API may find the paid, self-hosted model more machinery than necessary.

Pros and cons

Pro: Automatic master-detail relationship handling reduces the effort of producing referentially valid relational data.

Pro: Database, file, web, and script sources plus direct database and multi-format output support varied test pipelines.

Pro: Repeatable generation, scheduled refreshes, API access, and command-line operation support automation.

Con: No free plan means every production use requires a purchase, even though demos and a trial are available.

Con: Standard caps projects at 128 rules and excludes XML/JSON output; scrambling is reserved for Enterprise.

Con: JDBC is confined to the multiplatform runtime, which may complicate Java-centred connectivity plans.

Alternatives

Data Maestro is a better starting point when a free tier and Linux, macOS, or self-hosted deployment matter; its free plan limits exports or database pushes to 100 rows and two saved connections after a 30-day full trial.

FakerForge suits teams wanting a hosted or API-oriented freemium option, with a free plan capped at one database, 10 tables, 100 rows per table, and 500 API requests.

Windocks is preferable for database-container workflows and offers a free tier, though that tier limits images to 1 GB, one simultaneous container, and no support.

BlazeMeter fits API and service-virtualization work where a $79-per-month small plan includes 250,000 requests and five team members.

DATPROF is the alternative for custom, modular licensing across projects from 500 GB to 100 TB.

IRI DarkShield is a paid option for file or image masking with perpetual-use licensing.

Mockaroo is a browser-oriented alternative with a free tier allowing 1,000 rows per file and 200 API requests per day.

Redgate SQL Provision suits organisations buying capacity-based provisioning and masking tiers from 1 TB upward.

For a broader shortlist, see Test Data Management Software.

Verdict

DTM Data Generator is a strong choice for database professionals who need repeatable, schema-consistent synthetic data across several database systems and deployment formats. Its main reason to choose it is the combination of relationship-aware generation, broad sources, and automation in a self-hosted package. Look elsewhere if you need a free entry tier, hosted collaboration, or Enterprise-only scrambling without paying for the top edition.