An open-source alternative to dbdiagram.io
dbdiagram.io is a popular tool for drawing database diagrams by writing DBML, a small text language. EntityModel.com reads and writes DBML too, so you can move a diagram across in either direction, but it's a visual data modeling tool rather than a diagram-from-text tool, and it is free and open source.
Comparison as of November 2026. Check dbdiagram.io's own site for its current plans and features.
At a glance
| EntityModel.com | dbdiagram.io | |
|---|---|---|
| License | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary, hosted |
| Price | Free, no paid tier | Free plan with limits; paid plans for private diagrams and more |
| Where your model lives | In your browser, or files in your repo; nothing uploaded | On dbdiagram.io's servers |
| How you edit | Visual canvas and inspector (plus JSON, CLI and AI agents) | Writing DBML code beside the diagram |
| DBML | Import and export | Native |
| SQL | Import DDL; export PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, Databricks | Import and export for common databases |
| Conceptual, logical and physical models | Tabs of one model, derived from each other, with compare and migration SQL | One schema per diagram |
| Reference data with values | Yes, exported as lookup tables and INSERTs |
Not a modeling concept |
| Documentation | PDF design document and data dictionary tables | Diagram exports (PDF, PNG, SVG) |
| dbt tests, data contracts, JSON Schema, Avro | Yes | No |
| Works offline | Yes, installable | No |
Moving from dbdiagram.io
- In dbdiagram.io, copy your DBML (or export it).
- In EntityModel.com, click Import SQL or DBML and paste it. Tables, references, notes and table groups come across; a "Reference data" group becomes reference lists.
- Lay out, document and extend the model, then export DBML again whenever you need it.
See SQL to ER diagram for what the importer recognizes.
When dbdiagram.io is the better choice
- You prefer writing a schema as code and seeing the diagram update as you type.
- You want a hosted diagram you can embed or share as a public URL, with team features managed by a vendor.
When EntityModel.com is the better choice
- Your schemas are confidential and shouldn't sit on a third-party server, or you need an open-source license.
- You're designing, not just drawing: business names, descriptions, reference data, logical and physical versions, naming standards.
- You need outputs beyond the diagram: DDL for Snowflake or Databricks, dbt tests, data contracts, a PDF design document, or migration SQL between versions.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free, open-source alternative to dbdiagram.io?
Yes. EntityModel.com is MIT-licensed, free, and runs in the browser without an account. It imports and exports DBML, so existing dbdiagram.io diagrams can be brought across.
Can I convert DBML to SQL without dbdiagram.io?
Yes. Import the DBML into EntityModel.com and export SQL DDL for PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake or Databricks.