Free Data Modelling Tools

21 rows This article is a comparison of data modeling tools which are notable, including standalone.

Download Free Data Modelling Tools
Free Data Modeling Tools For Sql Server
Free Data Modeling Tools For Postgresql
Database Modeling Software Free
Physical Data Model Tool
Free Data Modelling Tools For Sql Server
Data Modeling Software

Active5 years, 6 months ago

With the recent tip on the native SQL Server data modeling capabilities, questions arose about data modeling alternatives in the marketplace. The native tools are a very valuable free solution, but may lack advanced functionality needed in some circumstances. As such, this tip outlines the data.
Mar 25, 2016 Here are the three major enterprise-grade data modeling tools:. CA ERwin. Embarcadero ER/Studio. SAP PowerDesginer I started using ERwin in 1996, PowerDesigner in 1999, and I've evaluated all three several times as part of a software selection.
Below you find the list of data modeling tools.Only serious tools are mentioned here. There are about 50 database modeling tools on the market but most of them don't come close to the tools mentioned in the list below.

Could you guys recommend me a good db modeling tool? Mainly for SQL Server...

thanks!

Jonathan S.

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BrunoBruno

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closed as not constructive by LittleBobbyTables, Robert Harvey♦Oct 29 '12 at 22:12

Download Free Data Modelling Tools

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18 Answers

If it is for SQL Server I like the DB Diagram from SQL Server Management Studio.

David BasarabDavid Basarab

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If your employer is paying, ER Studio is fantastic. I don't know how other people can function without it. It easily makes me 50% more productive.

Bob ProbstBob Probst

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StarUML has a module that allows for the creation of Entity Relationship Diagrams. However, I've never used it for this purpose, so I don't know how good it is, but I do like StarUML for UML diagrams.

Thomas OwensThomas Owens

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Funny as it is I've found:

to be useful in a pinch. I'm also a fan of his Instant SQL Formatter though by 'instant' he means 'not T-SQL' so you have to some slight hand editing of Profiler recorded statements to use his system fully.

cfedukecfeduke

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I heartily recommend Sparx Enterprise Architect.

Alternatively Visio for Enterprise Architects works moderately well and you could get it together with Visual Studio.

Ilya Kochetov

Ilya Kochetov

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ERwin Data Modeler is the best tool for Enterprise database modelling in my opinion.I've used it a number of times and it is great.See: http://www.ca.com/us/products/product.aspx?id=260

It is a little bit pricey, but it is worth it. You can also trial it for free.

BravaxBravax

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I tried Navicat Data Modeler. It's the best data modeling tool I've found so far. It has a free version.

Free version can be found at: Navicat Data Modeler

Sergey Glotov

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kevincheungkevincheung

If you mean for drawing Entity Relationship Diagrams, then I suggest Visio. It will even build your database from the Diagram.

LeppyR64LeppyR64

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try http://www.fabforce.net/dbdesigner4/ for MySQL

essexboyracer

I tend to use SQL Server Management Studio also for quickly doing stuff, but when I am doing the actual implementation or more advanced stuff I use EMS Sql Manager. It is quite a nice tool with far more advanced and more numerous features than Sql Management studio. You can think of it as MS SQL Management Studio on steroids. Takes a bit of getting used to the UI though, but still straight forward enough. And if you get their package with all their peoducts you get a ton of great utilities as well.

If its just diagramming thoguh i will use Visio.

mattlantmattlant

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I've been using for some time with great success what used to be called 'Case Studio'. It's now called 'Toad Data Modeller'..

It's pay, but quite good, worth at least a trial.

DreamWerxDreamWerx

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Personally I always liked Dia, it's ubiquitous, portable, easy to use and supports a whole bunch of other diagrams other than just ER/UML so I can use it to make diagrams for non-techies.

David HolmDavid Holm

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ModelRight, from http://www.modelright.com is very good for physical modeling. Excellent support for Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, etc.

mysql_user

I used pencil and paper quite successfully to get the initial entities and relationships down. Especially good if designing with other people, you don't get distracted by the GUI interface, mousing around, getting the background gradients right, etc. Then you can translate it into Visio or Dia or a UML tool that generates both the SQL Schema and your object model...

Free Data Modeling Tools For Sql Server

Usually after this time constraints mean you end up in TOAD or your DB tool of choice getting the tables, indexes, foreign keys and stuff implemented in straight SQL or with their table designer tool. Changes will inevitably come up downstream so don't spend too long getting things exactly, just get the structure right.

JeeBeeJeeBee

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You can draw ERDs using GraphViz records. That will not trak/organize your metadata, geneate your DDL or anything else for that matter - but it will give you an entity relationship diagram that you can easily edit/update.

It will handle all the layout/arrangement details of the diagram for you. It does a pretty good job of this. It is sort of a declarative diagram-drawing language. Very simple to learn. Requires nothing but a text editor to use. Many applications use its abilities behind the scenes to generate their diagrams also.

JohnnySoftwareJohnnySoftware

I second Embarcadero ERStudio. Not cheap but powerful, multiplatform and really easy to use.

massimogentilinimassimogentilini

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Free Data Modeling Tools For Postgresql

Well, if you're using SQL Server, as I've mentioned in other posts Visio probably will work really well for you. You probably already have it or your IT shop does so the cost is negligible and it can import an existing database or if you build from scratch can export it to a designated SQL Server.

I've used it several times and have been happy with the results.

scootdawgscootdawg

ModelRight is the best tool out there - especially for the money.

1ac0

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Database Modeling Software Free

This article is a comparison of data modeling tools which are notable, including standalone, conventional data modeling tools and modeling tools supporting data modeling as part of a larger modeling environment.

Physical Data Model Tool

General[edit]

Tool	Creator	Target Business Size	License	Supported Database Platforms	Supported OSs	Standalone or bundled into a larger toolkit	Launch Date
Astah	Change Vision	Enterprises	Proprietary	MySQL, Oracle,	Windows, macOS, Linux	Standalone	2006
Database Deployment Manager	The Unauthorized Frog project	SMBs and enterprises	LGPL	CUBRID, MySQL, SQLite	Windows, Linux	Standalone	2010 ?
Database Workbench	Upscene Productions	SMBs and enterprises	Proprietary	MS SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Firebird, InterBase, SQL Anywhere, NexusDB, MariaDB	Windows, Linux and FreeBSD (both through Wine)	Standalone	2001
Enterprise Architect	Sparx Systems	SMBs and enterprises	Proprietary	IBM DB2, Firebird, InterBase, Informix, Ingres, Access, MS SQL Server, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Sybase	Windows, Linux (Wine), macOS (via CrossOver)	Data modeling is supported as part of a complete modeling platform.	2000
ER/Studio	Embarcadero (acquired by IDERA)	SMBs and enterprises	Proprietary	Access, IBM DB2, Informix, Hitachi HiRDB, Firebird, Interbase, MySQL, MS SQL Server, Netezza, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Sybase, Teradata, Visual Foxpro and others via ODBC/ANSI SQL	Windows	Standalone	1998
Erwin Data Modeler	ERWin (formerly CA)	SMBs and enterprises	Proprietary	Access, IBM DB2, Informix, MySQL, MS SQL Server, Netezza, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Sybase, and others via ODBC/ANSI SQL	Windows	Standalone	1998
MagicDraw	No Magic	Enterprises, SMBs, personal	Proprietary	MS SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, IBM DB2	Windows, Linux, macOS	Standalone	1995
SQL Server Management Studio	Microsoft	Unknown	Proprietary	MS SQL Server	Windows	Standalone	2005
ModelRight	ModelRight	Enterprises, SMBs, personal	Proprietary	Access, MS SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, IBM DB2	Windows	Standalone	2005
MySQL Workbench	MySQL (An Oracle Company)	SMBs - personal	Proprietary or GPL	MySQL	Linux, Windows, macOS	Standalone	2006
Navicat Data Modeler	PremiumSoft	SMBs and enterprises	Proprietary	MySQL, MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQLite	Windows, macOS, Linux	Standalone	2012
NORMA Object-Role Modeling	Terry Halpin	SMBs and enterprises	CPL	MySQL, MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, DB2	Windows	Visual Studio Extension	2005
Open ModelSphere	Grandite	Enterprises - SMBs - personal	GNU GPL3	MS SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, DB2	Windows, macOS, Linux	Standalone with Data, UML, and process modeling	2008
Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler	Oracle	Enterprises	Proprietary	Oracle, MS SQL Server, IBM DB2	Cross-platform	Standalone	Unknown
PowerDesigner	SAP	SMBs and enterprises	Proprietary	Access, Greenplum, Apache Hive, HP Neoview, IBM DB2, Informix, Ingres, Interbase, MySQL, Netezza, NonStop SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Red Brick Warehouse, SAP business Suite, SAP Hana, SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise, SAP IQ, SAP SQL Anywhere, MS SQL Server, Teradata	Windows	Standalone	1989
Software Ideas Modeler	Dusan Rodina	Enterprises, SMBs, personal	Proprietary	MS SQL Server, MySQL	Windows	Standalone	2009
SQLyog	Webyog, Inc.	Enterprises, SMBs, personal	Proprietary	MySQL, MariaDB	Windows and Linux (using Wine)	Standalone	2001
Toad Data Modeler	Quest Software	SMBs and enterprises	Proprietary	Access, IBM DB2, Informix, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle	Windows	Standalone	2005 (before this date known as CaseStudio)
Tool	Creator	Target Business Size	License	Supported Database Platforms	Supported OSs	Standalone or bundled into a larger toolkit	Launch Date

Features[edit]