The Er diagram is an effective method to communicate knowledge about entities, relationships, and attributes. It can be used for many purposes like replacing entity-relationship (ER) diagrams or data modeling test cases.
In this post I would like to share a free tool used for drawing Er Diagrams. This er diagram tool provides a simple and easy-to-use interface which makes it perfect for beginners as well as advanced users. I would recommend anyone, who is interested in ER diagrams, to have a look at it.
Gliffy (Web, Windows OS)
Gliffy is a diagramming tool that allows you to create any type of diagram, from flowcharts to network diagrams. You can use Gliffy for free on the web or download it for Windows.
Gliffy’s simple interface makes it easy to create any type of diagram quickly and easily. The software also comes with an assortment of shapes, connectors, and other elements you can use in your diagrams.
You can share your diagrams with others by exporting them as images or PDFs. You can also export diagrams as HTML code so they can be embedded into websites or blogs.
Pricing: Free trial; Professional- $7.99/month; Team $4.99/month
Another diagraming tool that can help you create ER diagrams is Gliffy. Using this software, it’s possible to work together with colleagues remotely. You can also track the changes of the diagram in conjunction with reverting back to your desired output. Besides collaboration and tracking changes, this ER diagram maker enables you to import images and as well as export diagrams.
Key features:
- Collaborative diagraming
- Access to previous versions
- Import and export diagrams
Visual Paradigm (Web, Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
Visual Paradigm is a powerful diagramming tool that can help you build visual solutions quickly.
With a simple interface and powerful features, Visual Paradigm is one of the most popular diagramming tools on the market today.
Visual Paradigm supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux and Web. You can use it to create UML diagrams, flowcharts and more.
Pricing: Free online; Standard- $19/month; Professional- $35/month
Visual Paradigm is also a good option for users who are looking for free ER modeling creator. With it, you can access hundreds of templates including ERDs allowing you to instantly create a structure of your database. In addition, you can create as many diagrams are required without even bothering about expiration. On top of that, exporting diagrams to images with no watermark could be done through this ER diagram maker.
Key features:
- Access diagram templates
- No limitation to the number of diagrams
- Export diagram without watermark
Draw.io (Web)
Next on the list is Draw.io. This is a web-based tool that allows you to create entity relationship diagrams without registration required. At first, the tool asks the user to specify the location where to save the diagrams. You may keep your files on Google Drive, Dropbox, or on your computer hard drive. Another key thing to remember about this free ER diagram tool is that you can choose your preferred language when using the tool. Over and above, you may continue editing diagrams to integrated productivity programs like Jira and Confluence.
Key features:
- Specify the location where to save diagrams
- Available in multiple languages
- Jira and Confluence integration
Lucidchart (Online, Windows, Mac)
Pricing: Free with limitation; Individual- $7.95/month
Visualize your database structure in a relational and logical way with the help of Lucidchart ER diagram maker. By using its drag-and-drop feature, working with diagrams is a lot easier. You can also create ER diagrams from scratch or generate ERD automatically from your DBMS to upload the database tables. And what makes this a recommended ER diagram creator is that it enables users to export your ERD to database services such as MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and so on.
Key features:
- Drag and drop interface
- Generate ERD automatically
- Export diagrams to database service
SqlDBM (Web)
Pricing: Free with limitation; Basic- $25/month
Create professional ER diagrams with SqlDBM. This tool is an ER diagramming tool that works on popular web browsers allowing you to create diagrams anytime, anywhere. One of the highlights of this program is it provides version history allowing you to compare your revisions and identify discrepancies like nullability, data type, and defaults. Besides, this ER diagram tool grants access to dark and light themes as well as viewing modes that suit different purposes like presentation.
Key features:
- Compare revisions
- Customizable viewing modes
- Light and Dark theme
DBDiagram.io (Web)
Pricing: Free; Professional- $9.00/month
DBDiagram.io is yet another great tool to create ERDs. Unlike the above solutions, this tool produces diagrams by writing codes. In other words, this is favorable for users who enjoy editing using your keyboard. Furthermore, this free ER diagram tool allows you to export diagrams to Image or PDF file and share it in just a click for your convenience. Also, this ER diagram maker gives you the capability to upload your database schema like Django and other web frameworks when updating the database.
Key features:
- Generate ER diagrams by writing codes
- Save diagrams as Images and PDFs
- Upload database schema from Web frameworks
QuickDBD (Web, Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pricing: Free with limitation; Professional- $14/month
If you prefer to use a keyboard to laser-focus when making ER diagrams, then QuickDB is your go-to program. Not only that, but you can also share your diagrams online to work collaboratively and produce a quality database structure. This ER diagram tool also supports importing schema from MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server allowing you to generate ERD fast and easy.
Key features:
- Save and share projects publicly
- Create ERD by typing the schema
- Supports MySQL, SQL Server, and Oracle
DbSchema
DbSchema is a visual database designer & manager for any SQL, NoSQL, or Cloud database. The tool enables you to visually design & interact with the database schema, design the schema in a team and deploy it on multiple databases, generate HTML5 diagram documentation, visually explore the data and build queries, and so much more.
Features:
- Design schema in the team and deploy on multiple databases
- Compare different versions of the schema, generate migration scripts
- HTML5 Documentation , Interactive Diagrams, Relational Data Explorer & Visual Query Builder
- Schema Synchronization, Random Data Generator, Data Loader, Database Reports
- SQL Editor with autocompletion
Dbdesigner.net
Dbdesigner.net is an online database schema design and modeling tool. This database diagram tool allows you to create a database without wiring a single SQL code.
Features:
- It has a user-friendly UI for designing database structure.
- The tool offers team collaboration & sharing of projects within your organization.
- It allows you to import an existing database or start from scratch.
- You can collaborate with your team and work on the model together.
- Dbdesigner.net helps you to export your database in PNG and PDF file formats.
Link: https://www.dbdesigner.net/
5) Visual Paradigm
Visual Paradigm is a database design and management tool. This database diagram tool helps the product development team to build applications faster.
Features:
- It has a Drag-and-drop diagram editor.
- This tool enables you to export the database from ERD (Entity Relationship Diagram).
- It contains REST API for designing a database.
- You can work with your team on the same project simultaneously.
- Visual Paradigm enables you to build your report.
- It provides a wizard to make a database step by step.
- You can use Visual Paradigm on Windows, macOS, and Linux OS.
Link: https://www.visual-paradigm.com/features/database-design-with-erd-tools/
6) Erwin Data Modeler
Erwin is a tool which is used to create logical, physical, and conceptual data models. It provides centralize model management to business and technical users.
Features:
- It allows you to extract data from CRM, ERP, etc. for accurate modeling.
- Erwin Data Modeler has easy to use graphical environment.
- It automatically compares the model and database.
- You can manage structured and unstructured data from any database.
Link: http://erwin.com/products/erwin-data-modeler/
Toad World
Toad World is a database modeling software that helps you to tune application performance using an automated query rewriting facility. This software manages code change and promotes the highest levels of quality.
Features:
- Access key data quickly for analysis.
- It can easily identify differences by comparing and syncing servers, data, and schemas.
- Rollback transactions directly from the transaction log without need to restore from a backup.
- Get powerful query tuning capabilities.
- Execute scripts and T-SQL snippets for numerous instances and servers.
- Automate repetitive processes like data and schema comparisons.
Link: https://www.toadworld.com/products/toad-data-modeler
10) Dataedo
Dataedo is an app that enables you to create data dictionaries, ER diagrams, and document server scripts. It is an er diagram tool that enables you to easily document your relational databases.
Features:
- You can share documentation in interactive HTML.
- It helps you to visualize your data with database diagrams.
- This erd diagram tool allows you to add meaningful information about your database.
- It enables you to share documents in PDF, Excel, and HTML file formats.
- You can create table relationships (One to one, one to many, and many to many) with ease.
Link: https://dataedo.com/
11) Vertabelo
Vertabelo is online visual database design tool. It helps you to design your database at a logical and physical level.
Features:
- You can access database models anytime.
- It enables you to import an existing database.
- Vertabelo allows you to share the model with three access levels, like the owner, editor, or viewer.
- You can generate SQL script to create or remove elements from the database.
- Vertabelo automatically set the diagram layout.
- This app helps you to validate your model and workflow.
- You can provide a public link to your clients or partner so that they can view your design.
Link: https://www.vertabelo.com/
12) Dmodelaid
DModelAid is an online program for documenting database design in an interactive diagram. It helps you to retrieve large amounts of records from the database using SQL queries.
Features:
- You can visualize a table with tables with keys, indexes, and relationships.
- It supports keyboard shortcuts for easy access.
- This tool automatically documents your database project.
- You can create a project with Oracle, SQLite, MySQL, etc.
- DModelAid enables you to export script from the project to create the physical database.
- You can change the database any time you like, and it will map with the data type.
Link: https://www.dmodelaid.com/
13) SchemaSpy
SchemaSpy is a Java-based software that analyzes the metadata of a schema in your database. It is an er diagram tool which helps you to simplify the database designing process.
Features:
- This erd diagram tool supports JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) compliant DBMS.
- You can generate ER diagram for foreign keys.
- Schemaspy can produce database to HTML.
Link: http://schemaspy.org/https://663e35e2e3967ba0decd2d3dfce4efc1.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
DeZign
DeZign is an er diagram tool that allows you to visualize your data structures to create a new database. This app also helps you to understand your existing database tables and relationships.
Features:
- It provides easy to use and robust data modeling tool for developers.
- You can use this tool to visually make Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD).
- Navigate large diagram with pan and zoom window.
- It supports a range of data modeling techniques.
- The latest version of this erd diagram tool helps you to reduce faults in database development.
- DeZign uses ERD to graphically design database.
- Exporting diagrams to bitmap, PNG, JPEG, and GIF is possible.
Link: https://www.datanamic.com/dezign/index.html
15) Database Designer for MySQL
Database Designer for MySQL is an erd diagram tool that helps you to construct build a graphical representation of tables and relationships.
Features:
- You can create and maintain the database effortlessly.
- It can generate reports that describe database objects within a diagram.
- It allows you to edit entity relationship diagram.
- Customization of diagrams and object appearance is possible.
- You can export a diagram to numerous formats, including BMP, JPEG, PNG, and more.
- Database Designer for MySQL helps you to edit and execute SQL scripts.
- Supports views (Virtual table), stored procedures (Set of SQL statements).
- This er diagram tool has a built-in database connection manager.
Link: https://www.microolap.com/products/database/mysql-designer/
16) Draw.io
Draw.IO is one of the free erd tools for online diagram design. It helps you to create and manage the drawing easily. This entity relationship diagram tool is compatible with all browsers like Chrome, Firefox, etc.
Features:
- No limit on the number of sizes.
- It allows you to save the model in your preferred location.
- This app provides a drag and drop feature.
- You can create a wide range of database diagrams, including UML (Unified Modeling Language), ERD, and much more.
- It provides readymade templates to design a database.
- You can work online and offline.
- Draw.io can be accessed from desktop and mobile devices.
Link: https://app.diagrams.net/
Bonus
Adobe XD
Adobe XD has skyrocketed into popularity since its initial release date in 2016, and with good reason. This tool is fantastic for wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. If you’re collaborating with others (especially remotely), this is a tool to check out. Get a beginner’s introduction to Adobe XD this event recording:https://www.youtube.com/embed/Iih4WC2U7Ck
Price breakdown
- 7-day free trial
- $9.99/month after the trial ends (or $99.99/year)
What’s great about Adobe XD?
As we said, this is an all-in-one when it comes to wireframing and prototyping (at any level of fidelity) and is excellent for collaboration.
Adobe XD includes tools for everything from a quick sketch to a high-fidelity wireframe, with options to create interactions so that you can more closely imitate the user flow! The tool has a auto animation feature, and it’s made things easier with it comes to layering images in 3D (great for showcasing all your hard work!). You can also work with your teammates in real time, and they’ve made it easier to iterate on content without having to practically re-design whole screens. This is helpful for teams seeking more collaboration between content and design.
Adobe products are widely appreciated across the industry, too, so being familiar with it can only help throughout your career.
What’s not so great about Adobe XD?
As many have said, the price point is certainly a factor. It’s only really free for a week, but that’s a week to test it out and see if this high-power tool is well suited for your team. If you’re working solo, it’s still worth considering simply for the high quality output and for it’s possibilities when it comes to collaborating with stakeholders or outside clients.
What other designers have to say about Adobe XD
- “Adobe XD is the best on the market, in my opinion, as far as UI/UX design is concerned. In a really simple way it is possible to create the design of websites or apps and then move on to the prototyping phase, creating the various links, interactive components, buttons, animations. The sharing phase is also excellent, which allows you to export the prototype to encourage the work of the developers, who will have the opportunity to take a look at the generated css code and can download the various assets.”
- “The pricing of this tool is quite high. It has also increased a lot of restrictions on the free plan, and this is not helpful for budding designers.”
Conclusion
Er Diagrams are a visual representation of entities and the relationships between them. Entities can be anything from people, to computers, to strings of code—it all depends on your use case. Err diagramming is an incredibly easy way to visually determine the connections existing between different objects.