Best Free ER Diagram Tools in 2020
Looking at a database seems difficult to understand especially for readers when they only see tables and data. Fortunately, ER Diagram tools are developed to create a visual illustration of a database to make it easy to understand. Not only that, developers can use it to modify an existing database which is helpful when working on a large amount of information. That’s why in this post, we reviewed some free and best ER Diagram tools to help you with your database management tasks.
Top ER Diagram Modelling Tools
- DrawSQL
- GitMind
- QuickDBD
- ERDPlus
- Visual Paradigm
DrawSQL (https://drawsql.app/)
Your ER Diagram illustrator with useful tools to clearly explain your database schema. Our first tool today is DrawSQL. This program is designed to help you visualize your database with over 200 diagram templates you can utilize for modeling. Moreover, users are given the capability to annotate tables, columns, and other elements to explain things better. Aside from that, it has a collaboration feature that will help you brainstorm with your teammates. All projects and files can be synced between different developers.
Key Features:
- Customizable diagram templates
- Supports collaboration feature
GitMind (https://gitmind.com/)
Another helpful program to create and visualize database entity-relationship diagrams is GitMind. What’s so good about this tool is you can do a lot of diagrams besides ER Diagram. You can use this online tool to design mind maps, flowcharts, network diagrams, and so much more. On top of that, you don’t need to install it as it is totally online and web-based. It runs on any browser and platform. It has also the ability to export ER diagrams to image or PDF files or directly share the project with your colleagues and friends.
Key Features:
- Completely free and web-based
- Works on different platforms
QuickDBD (https://www.quickdatabasediagrams.com/)
A good program that is also developed for creating a model of a database schema is QuickDBD. True to its title, it’s indeed one of the best and quick ways to build a database diagram. It uses lines of code in building diagrams, unlike other programs that use GUI instead. Therefore, if you don’t have much time in creating schemas and want to quickly update an existing database, this tool could be of great help. Another feature worth mentioning is its ability to import diagrams from database services including Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, etc.
Key Features:
- Uses codes to generate ER diagrams
- Import diagrams from database services
ERDPlus (https://erdplus.com/)
ERDPlus is an excellent alternative for those who are looking for a free and simple ER diagram tool. With it, you can draw relational schemas, star schemas, and ER diagrams. Similarly, you don’t need to install additional software in order to use this program. As long as you have a web-browser and internet connection, creating an entity-relationship diagram is possible. Over and above, the quick creation of foreign keys and referential integrity lines make the process of building relational schemas fast and easy.
Key Features:
- Convert ERD to Relational Schemas
- Quick creation of foreign keys
Visual Paradigm (https://www.visual-paradigm.com/)
The last tool in our list that you should definitely consider using is Visual Paradigm. It lets you show tables, columns, and interrelationships that includes primary keys and naming conventions. Also, it has a comprehensive table record editor that enables you to determine the format of data you are trying to insert. Besides, you can access features like database view editor, Ad-Hoc SQL Statements Generator, automatic foreign key generation. Basically, the program has all the essential ERD tools you need for designing a database.
Key Features:
- Database view editor
- Table record editor
Wrap Up
All tools mentioned in the content will help you model entity-relationship diagrams. Meanwhile, choosing the best program to use will be a matter of preference. If you want to achieve a presentable diagram and accustomed to working in the GUI, you can choose between DrawSQL, GitMind, ERDPlus, and Visual Paradigm. Otherwise, you should go with QuickDBD if you want to try out something new and create ERD by typing codes.