DB Designer vs Hackolade Studio

DB Designer is a web tool for visually designing database schemas without writing SQL. It generates scripts for MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and SQLite, and imports existing MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle scripts for reverse engineering. Teams can work on models together, use live comments or chat, and assign Owner, Editor, or Viewer access. Diagram tools include a minimap, keyboard shortcuts, instant saving with history, undo and redo, table cloning, automatic layout, notes, and comments. Users can export diagrams as PNG or PDF, or make a public view link. The free Starter plan costs nothing and allows two database models with 10 tables per model. Other free plans with unlimited models and tables are restricted to non-profits, current students and educators, or open-source project contributors. Basic costs $9 a month and Unlimited costs $17 a month. DB Designer says it encrypts communications through SSL and stores data securely with regular backups; support is available by email seven days a week, with live chat and phone support for premium users.

Hackolade Studio is a data modeling and schema design tool for relational and NoSQL databases, APIs, and data exchange formats. It supports conceptual, logical, and physical models using ER diagrams and hierarchical schema views, with the maker describing more than 45 physical targets. Studio can reverse-engineer supported sources and generate DDLs, schemas, validators, and documentation. It supports forward engineering and SQL export, with a broad list of supported databases including BigQuery, Cassandra, MongoDB, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, and SQL Server. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web. The free Community edition limits each model to 50 objects and omits advanced forward and reverse engineering, Git, and Collibra integrations. Its 14-day evaluation includes unrestricted Professional and Workgroup features and requires no credit card. Workgroup adds Git-based collaboration and support. Its monthly subscription is €175 a month; annual billing is €1,750 a year.