drawDB vs pgModeler

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.

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.