dbdiff
What it is
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.
For and against
For
- Compares both database schemas and data.
- Migration runner includes rollback, validation, and repair commands.
- Supports native SQL and several migration formats.
- Pre-built binaries are listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Against
- PostgreSQL enum label changes can block generated migrations.
- Generation stops by default for table or column drops.
- Other database versions may work but are not actively tested.
The verdict
DBDiff combines multi-engine database comparison with migration generation and management commands. Check its documented PostgreSQL enum limitation and default behavior for destructive changes before relying on generated migrations.
Who it suits
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.
On the record
- 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 · read 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 · read 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 · read 2 Oct 2026
- Database objects
- Its listed diff targets include tables, views, triggers, routines, types, sequences, row-level security policies, and data.dbdiff.dev · read 2 Oct 2026
- Database support
- It supports MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite; other versions may work but are not actively tested.dbdiff.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Multi-architecture Docker and Podman images are published to GHCR on each release.dbdiff.dev · read 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 · read 3 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The site offers pre-built binaries, npm packages, a PHAR, Docker/Podman images, and Composer source installation.dbdiff.dev · read 2 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The site lists prebuilt binaries, npm, PHAR, Docker or Podman, and Composer source installation.dbdiff.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The project page identifies the license as MIT.dbdiff.dev · read 3 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 · read 2 Oct 2026
- Migration formats
- It supports native SQL, Flyway, Liquibase XML and YAML, Laravel, and custom templates.dbdiff.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Migration integrations
- It supports output formats for Flyway, Liquibase, and Laravel Migrations, as well as native SQL and templates.dbdiff.dev · read 2 Oct 2026
- Migration runner
- Built-in commands apply, roll back, check, validate, repair and baseline migrations.dbdiff.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- Prebuilt binaries are listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.dbdiff.dev · read 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 · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DBDiff compares local or remote databases and generates a migration file for their differences.dbdiff.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Schema and data diffs
- It can diff database objects including tables, views, triggers, routines, types, sequences, row level security policies and data.dbdiff.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
