dbdocs vs DbSketch

dbdocs creates web-based database documentation from DBML definitions. DBML is an open-source markup language for defining database structures; published documentation lets readers browse tables and fields and view relationships between tables. Teams can store DBML locally or in Git, then publish it to a dbdocs project. The db2dbml command supports imports from PostgreSQL, MySQL, MSSQL, Snowflake, and BigQuery. Documentation views can be embedded in Notion, Confluence, Miro, or a website. CI publishing uses a token, and the instructions include a GitHub Actions example. New projects are public by default. The Free plan lists password-protected sharing, while private mode is available on paid plans. The cloud service includes schema history and a data dictionary, and its stated database coverage is relational. dbdocs is aimed at internal development teams and software development agencies. The Free plan is free. Personal Pro costs $20 a month, or $16/month annually; Team costs $60 a month, or $50/month annually.

DbSketch is a command-line generator for turning live relational database schemas into version-controlled documentation. It reads tables, columns, primary keys, and foreign keys from SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. Output choices are Graphviz DOT, Mermaid ER, or Markdown files with diagram text in a fenced code block. A YAML configuration holds one database connection and can define named diagram targets, allowing one setup to produce multiple focused diagrams with separate output and renderer settings. DbSketch can include native database comments where supported and apply YAML comment overrides. Its DOT renderer preserves foreign-key relationships down to the connected columns. The maker describes it as useful for repository documentation, CI, and compact schema snapshots for people and AI coding assistants. It is distributed as the.NET tool DimonSmart.DbSketch, which installs the dbsketch command; the getting-started guide requires the.NET 10 SDK. The software is MIT-licensed and costs nothing. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and is self-hosted.