Best Database Design Tools in 2026
Updated
In short: DrawSQL is ranked #1 of 28 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of MySQL and DbSchema. The best-ranked option with a free plan is MySQL. The lowest first paid tier on this page is DbSchema at $9/mo.
Database design tools support the work of modeling schemas, translating designs into SQL and understanding existing database structures. Compare supported databases and deployment first, then look at forward engineering and reverse engineering to match the tool to how you create or inspect models. SQL export, team collaboration and version history help you assess how designs move through a team. Free plan and Paid from add cost context. DrawSQL, MySQL and DbSchema are among the first entries, followed by Hackolade Studio and DB Designer. The ranking also shows drawDB, ERBuilder Data Modeler and ChartDB. Your best comparison points depend on the databases and design workflow you need to support.
28 database design tools ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Reverse engineering | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  DrawSQL | 8.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $19/mo | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 2 | MySQL | 7.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 3 | DbSchema | 7.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $9/mo | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 4 | Hackolade Studio | 7.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $145.83/mo | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 5 | DB Designer | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $9/mo | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 6 | drawDB | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 7 | ERBuilder Data Modeler | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 8 | ChartDB | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $25/mo | Yes | 25 /user/mo | Yes | View |
| 9 | WorksCove ERD | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 10 |  pgModeler | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $59.90/mo | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 11 | dbdiagram.io | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 12 | DBModeler | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 13 |  Schemity | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 14 |  Database Workbench | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 15 |  DeZign for Databases | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | Yes | View |
| 16 |  SQL Power Architect | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 17 | ERD Designer | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 18 | ER/Studio | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | Yes | View |
| 19 |  QuickDBD | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 20 |  Model Xtractor | 5.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Yes | View |
| 21 |  OpenDBD | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 22 |  YourERD | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 23 |  ER Designer | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | No | View |
| 24 |  Moon Modeler | 5.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | Yes | View |
| 25 |  Records Database | 5.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which database design tool is ranked first on Inferse?
DrawSQL is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 8.1. MySQL is second and DbSchema third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, DbSchema has the lowest first paid tier we found: $9/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.