dbdiff

Summary

DBDiff is a free, open-source tool for comparing local or remote MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite databases and generating migration files from the differences. It can compare schemas and data, with migrations that include both up and down changes. Its runner has commands to create, apply, roll back, check, validate, repair, and baseline migrations. Comparison targets include tables, views, triggers, routines, types, sequences, row-level security policies, and data. Output formats include native SQL, Flyway, Liquibase, Laravel Migrations, and custom templates. A configuration file can set database connections, drivers, comparison scope, included or ignored tables and fields, and row filters. Installation options include pre-built Windows, macOS, and Linux binaries, npm packages, a PHAR, Docker or Podman images, and Composer source installation. By default, migration generation stops when a change would drop a table or column; an option allows those changes. One documented PostgreSQL limitation is that removing or reordering enum labels can leave dependent objects that prevent an automatically generated migration from applying. The project uses the MIT license.

Who it is for

DBDiff suits developers and database teams who need to compare MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite databases and generate migration files. It also fits workflows that use Flyway, Liquibase, Laravel, or custom migration templates.

Compared on database schema comparison tools

Migration scripts

Yesrekurt.github.io

Database scope

multi-enginerekurt.github.io

CI/CD integration

Yesrekurt.github.io

Supported platforms

cross-platformrekurt.github.io

Facts

Purpose

DBDiff compares two local or remote MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite databases and automatically generates a migration file of their differences.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Schema and data diffs

It can diff database schemas and data and generate SQL migrations, including up and down changes.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Migration runner

It includes commands to create, apply, roll back, check, validate, repair, and baseline migrations.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Database objects

Its listed diff targets include tables, views, triggers, routines, types, sequences, row-level security policies, and data.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Migration integrations

It supports output formats for Flyway, Liquibase, and Laravel Migrations, as well as native SQL and templates.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Supabase

The --supabase option selects the PostgreSQL driver and enables SSL; DBDiff reads the public schema, while Supabase-managed schemas such as auth and storage are outside the diff.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Database compatibility

The site lists support for MySQL 8.0.x, 8.4.x, and 9.3.x/9.6.x, PostgreSQL 14.x–16.x, and SQLite 3.x.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Additional compatible databases

The site says compatible variants include MariaDB, Aurora, PlanetScale, Neon, CockroachDB, YugabyteDB, TimescaleDB, and pgvector, with most not tested by the core team unless noted.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Platforms

Pre-built binaries are listed for Windows x64/arm64, macOS Intel/Apple Silicon, and Linux x64/arm64 using glibc or musl.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Distribution

The site offers pre-built binaries, npm packages, a PHAR, Docker/Podman images, and Composer source installation.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Configuration

A dbdiff.yml configuration file can set database connections, drivers, diff scope, included or ignored tables and fields, and row filters.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Limitations

The site documents PostgreSQL enum label removals or reordering as a case where dependent objects may prevent an automatically generated migration from applying.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Support

The site directs users to open or check GitHub issues and invites commercial support enquiries.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

License

The project is released under the MIT license.dbdiff.dev · 2 Oct 2026

Database support

It supports MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite; other versions may work but are not actively tested.dbdiff.dev · 3 Oct 2026

Migration formats

It supports native SQL, Flyway, Liquibase XML and YAML, Laravel, and custom templates.dbdiff.dev · 3 Oct 2026

Destructive changes

By default, generation stops for migrations that drop a table or column; the page documents an option to allow those changes.dbdiff.dev · 3 Oct 2026

Install options

The site lists prebuilt binaries, npm, PHAR, Docker or Podman, and Composer source installation.dbdiff.dev · 3 Oct 2026

Operating systems

Prebuilt binaries are listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.dbdiff.dev · 3 Oct 2026

Deployment

Multi-architecture Docker and Podman images are published to GHCR on each release.dbdiff.dev · 3 Oct 2026

Security feature

For PostgreSQL, the tool diffs row level security policies and each table’s ENABLE and FORCE ROW LEVEL SECURITY flags.dbdiff.dev · 3 Oct 2026

Performance

The site says it has been tested on databases with millions of rows and that schema diffs use a constant number of round-trips regardless of table count.dbdiff.dev · 3 Oct 2026

Where it ranks on Samsung Mobile US Press

• Best Database Schema Comparison Tools in 2026#6 of 18

Sources

• dbdiff.dev· checked 2 Oct 2026