dbdiagram.io vs pgModeler
dbdiagram.io
dbdiagram.iopgModeler
pgmodeler.ioSide by side
| Figure | dbdiagram.io | pgModeler |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $20/mo | $59.90/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 7 |
| Spec score · Data Modeling Software | 8.4 (#5) | 8.2 (#8) |
| Spec score · Database Design Tools | 8.4 (#7) | 8.2 (#11) |
| CLI | The dbdiagram CLI syncs local DBML files with diagrams and can publish documentation to dbdocs.io from a terminal or CI pipeline. | The command-line interface can export DDL, run diffs, validate models, and automate deployments in CI/CD workflows. |
| Headquarters | Singapore | Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil |
| Purpose | dbdiagram.io creates database relationship diagrams by typing DBML, its Database Markup Language. | pgModeler is a locally installed, multi-platform PostgreSQL schema engineering tool for visual design, reverse engineering, schema diff and synchronization, and CLI deployment automation. |
| Security | Holistics reports SOC 2 Type II compliance and says dbdiagram encrypts data in transit and at rest, with servers hosted in Frankfurt, EU. | Connections support SSL modes, client certificates, Kerberos server settings, and GSSAPI authentication. |
| Support | Support is available by email or form Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Singapore time, excluding weekends and Singapore public holidays. | The project directs feature requests and bug reports to its GitHub issues page. |
Plans
dbdiagram.io
- FreeFree
- Personal Pro$20 a month
- Team$60 a month
- CustomPriced on request
pgModeler
- Single user · 6 monthsPriced on request
- Single user · 12 monthsPriced on request
- Team lifetime · PerpetualPriced on request
- pgModeler CommunityFree
- pgModeler Plus · Single user · 6 months$59.90 a month
- pgModeler Plus · Single user · 12 monthsPrice not published
- pgModeler Plus · Team lifetimePrice not published
In their own words
dbdiagram.io
dbdiagram.io creates database relationship diagrams by letting users describe schemas in DBML, its Database Markup Language. Developers and data analysts can design diagrams in the web app, while its cloud version imports and exports SQL. Supported databases include PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, Snowflake, and BigQuery; Oracle import uses Oracle 19c syntax. Free users can filter tables in the default view, while saving multiple customized views requires Personal Pro. Personal Pro also includes an AI Assistant for schema design, modification, and optimization through natural language, with a monthly token quota. The editor extension supports VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and other Open VSX-based editors, with live ERD previews from DBML files. A CLI syncs local DBML files with diagrams and can publish documentation to dbdocs.io from a terminal or CI pipeline. Free diagrams allow public link sharing; password protection and private mode require Personal Pro or Team. Free costs nothing; Personal Pro is $20 a month and Team is $60 a month. A 7-day Team trial requires a payment method and automatically charges when it ends.
pgModeler
pgModeler is a locally installed PostgreSQL schema engineering tool for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports visual design, reverse engineering, schema comparison and synchronization, and command-line deployment automation. Its relationship engine can propagate foreign-key columns, constraints, and indexes when tables are linked, and it supports more than 30 PostgreSQL object types. Models can be exported as SQL, PNG, SVG, HTML data dictionaries, or directly to a PostgreSQL server. The command-line interface can export DDL, run diffs, validate models, and automate CI/CD deployments. Models use human-readable XML; Plus adds a Git-powered versioning workflow. The software runs on the user's machine without an account, cloud dependency, or required internet connection. The community software is GPL v3 and free forever. Plus provides pre-built binaries and professional workflow features. Its listed single-user, six-month plan is $59.90 per month, billed from $59.90/6 months. Documentation warns that connection passwords are stored in plain text in the settings directory.