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- You want the diagram to reflect your actual database — not a hand-written model that can drift out of date.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.
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 →