dbdiagram.io vs dbdiagramr
Both tools turn database schemas into ER diagrams, but they work in fundamentally different ways. dbdiagram.io is a code-first editor where you design schemas in DBML. dbdiagramr visualizes a PostgreSQL database that already exists - paste a connection string and see your real schema in under 10 seconds.
Last updated: 2026-08-04
| Feature | dbdiagramr | dbdiagram.io |
|---|---|---|
| How you create a diagram | Paste a live PostgreSQL connection string | Write DBML schema code by hand |
| Time to first diagram | Under 10 seconds | Minutes - write and debug DBML first |
| Shows your actual database | Yes - reads live tables, columns, and foreign keys | No - diagram reflects the DBML you wrote |
| Signup required | No | Free tier works without an account for one-off diagrams |
| Free plan | 5 diagrams per month | Up to 10 diagrams, public by default |
| Private diagrams on free plan | Yes - nothing is stored or published | No - free diagrams are public unless upgraded |
| Interactive hover-to-trace relationships | Yes | No - static visualizations |
| Export options | PNG and SVG | PNG, PDF, SVG |
| Pro price | $8/month | $14/month |
| Best for | Understanding a database that already exists | Designing a new schema from scratch |
When to choose dbdiagramr
- You have a live PostgreSQL database (Supabase, Neon, Railway) and want to understand its schema quickly.
- You want the diagram to reflect your actual database - not a hand-written model that can drift out of date.
- You want to trace foreign key relationships by hovering, with no signup and nothing published publicly.
When to choose dbdiagram.io
- You are designing a brand-new schema from scratch and want to write it as DBML code.
- You need to generate SQL DDL from your model rather than introspect an existing database.
- You want team collaboration and public diagram embedding as part of a paid plan.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
Diagram creation
dbdiagram.io: You write DBML code describing tables and relationships. The tool renders a diagram from your code. You need to learn DBML syntax first.
dbdiagramr: Paste SQL or a PostgreSQL connection string. The tool parses your schema and renders a diagram automatically. No new syntax to learn.
Keeping diagrams current
dbdiagram.io: Your diagram is a DBML file you maintain. When your database changes, you must update the DBML manually or the diagram drifts out of date.
dbdiagramr: The diagram reads your live database. Change a migration, paste the same connection string again, up-to-date in seconds. No drift.
Pricing
dbdiagram.io: Free tier limited to 10 diagrams, all public. Pro at $14/month removes limits and makes diagrams private.
dbdiagramr: Free tier includes 5 diagrams/month, all private. Pro at $8/month for unlimited diagrams. No credit card required.
Privacy
dbdiagram.io: Free diagrams are public by default. Anyone with the link can view them.
dbdiagramr: Nothing is stored or published. Your connection string is used client-side and discarded immediately.
Verdict
Use dbdiagram.io if you're designing a new schema from scratch and prefer writing code (DBML) to define your tables. It's excellent for planning and prototyping.
Use dbdiagramr if you need to understand or document a PostgreSQL database that already exists. Paste a connection string, get an interactive diagram in seconds. No signup, no limits, no drift.
For most developers working with existing databases, dbdiagramr is faster and more practical. For schema design from scratch, dbdiagram.io has the edge.
Frequently asked questions
Is dbdiagramr a good dbdiagram.io alternative?
It depends on your goal. If you need to understand or document a PostgreSQL database that already exists, dbdiagramr is faster - paste a connection string and see every table, column, and foreign key in under 10 seconds, with no schema code to write. If you are designing a brand-new schema by hand in DBML, dbdiagram.io is built for that.
What is the main difference between dbdiagram.io and dbdiagramr?
dbdiagram.io is a code-first tool where you describe your schema in DBML. dbdiagramr reads your live database directly - it introspects tables, columns, and foreign keys from a PostgreSQL connection string, so the diagram always matches reality.
Is dbdiagramr free?
Yes. dbdiagramr's free plan includes 5 diagrams per month. Pro costs $8/month for unlimited diagrams. No credit card is required to try the free plan.
Are my diagrams private on dbdiagramr?
Yes. dbdiagramr never stores connection strings or publishes diagrams. Your schema is introspected and discarded immediately, so nothing you visualize is made public - unlike free plans that make diagrams public by default.
Visualize your own database
Paste your PostgreSQL connection string and get an interactive ER diagram of your own schema in under 10 seconds. No signup required.
Try it free →