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ERD Designer
What it is
ERD Designer is a free, open-source tool for visually designing database schemas. Its interactive canvas lets you arrange tables, define relationships, and synchronize foreign keys automatically. It generates DDL for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL Server, SQLite, BigQuery, and Snowflake, and imports existing DDL. Table specifications can be exported to Excel or Google Spreadsheets, while diagrams can be saved as PNG, SVG, or interactive HTML. Column Share Models reuse definitions across tables, and Column Groups apply common columns in bulk. Use it in a browser, as a VSCode extension, or through a Google Drive app. The browser stores designs locally in IndexedDB and requires no installation or account. A separate CLI compares designs with schemas or revisions; comparison is read-only and migration output is draft SQL. Agent and MCP features are experimental.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Generates DDL for seven listed databases
- Imports DDL and exports diagrams in multiple formats
- Works in browser, VSCode, and Google Drive
- Browser version needs no installation or account
Against
- Google Drive simultaneous editing is unsupported
- Agent plugin and MCP server are experimental
- Schema comparison CLI must be installed separately
- Migration command only drafts SQL
The verdict
ERD Designer covers visual modeling, reverse engineering, forward engineering, and several export paths without a paid plan. Its collaboration and experimental-feature limits matter for teams planning shared workflows.
Who it suits
It suits developers and database designers who want free visual schema modeling with broad SQL generation and export options. Teams should note that Google Drive files support simultaneous viewing, not simultaneous editing.
Plans and prices
Free
No installation or account required for browser version · Google Drive simultaneous editing is not supported
Read 8 Oct 2026 · workspace.google.com
On the record
- Database support
- It generates DDL for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL Server, SQLite, BigQuery, and Snowflake.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Experimental features
- The agent plugin and MCP server are marked experimental, and their behavior or tool surface may change between releases.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Google Drive access
- The Google Drive app says it reads and writes only files opened with it and files it creates, and does not browse the rest of Drive.workspace.google.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- It can import existing DDL and export table specifications as Excel files or Google Spreadsheets, and diagrams as PNG, SVG, or interactive HTML.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The product is available in a browser, as a VSCode extension, and as a Google Drive app; its agent plugin supports Claude Code and GitHub Copilot CLI.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Local storage
- The browser version stores design data locally in the browser using IndexedDB.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ERD Designer is a free, open-source tool for visually designing database schemas.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Reusable columns
- Column Share Models allow a column definition to be reused across tables, while Column Groups apply common columns in bulk.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Schema verification
- A separately installed CLI can compare designs with database schemas or revisions; its database comparison is read-only and its migration command only drafts SQL.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub Issues for bug reports and feature requests.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Team editing limit
- Google Drive files can be viewed simultaneously, but simultaneous editing is not supported.workspace.google.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Visual design
- Users can arrange tables on an interactive canvas and define relationships visually, with automatic foreign-key synchronization.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
