DbSchema vs drawDB

DbSchema is a desktop tool for designing, documenting and working with SQL and NoSQL databases on Linux, macOS and Windows. It connects to more than 70 databases through JDBC and can download the needed driver. Users can build interactive schema diagrams, split designs into subsystem diagrams, or create physical schemas while offline and save them as local.dbs files. For connected databases, schema synchronization compares the model with the database and can produce migration SQL for review. The SQL editor offers schema-aware autocomplete, and a visual query builder lets users arrange tables, joins and filters and inspect generated SQL before execution. DbSchema can also publish interactive HTML5 schema documentation that opens in a browser without an installation or license. Connections run directly from the user's computer to the database, with configured SSL and SSH tunnels available. Community Edition is free forever. Pro Monthly is $29.40 a month, and Architect Monthly is $47.04 a month, plus taxes. The shared installer requires no registration and includes a 15-day Architect trial that can be extended by 15 days.

drawDB is a browser-based database diagram editor for modeling schemas, importing existing definitions and exporting SQL. It supports Generic, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MariaDB, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle diagrams. Imports include drawDB JSON and DDB files, DBML, and SQL scripts for the listed database systems; exports include SQL, image and document formats, drawDB JSON, DBML, Mermaid and Markdown. The free plan is listed at free and includes local diagrams, SQL dialects, and import and export. In the open-source editor, diagrams and custom templates live in browser IndexedDB, tying them to that browser profile. The maker says it can also be self-hosted with Docker. Pro options add cloud storage and sync, public sharing, AI assistance and version history; team options include workspaces, roles, diagram permissions and live collaboration. The AI assistant can create or edit schema elements from prompts, while the MCP server provides read-only access for compatible coding tools to schemas in Pro cloud workspaces. Schema context is sent to the AI service when it operates on a diagram.