Database design simplifies the implementation, maintenance, and workflow of a database management system. The more efficient you are with the database design, the more efficient and consistent the disk storage will be.
However, database design can be overwhelming and confusing. Selecting the best ER diagram tool can make it a bit less confusing and overwhelming for you.
There are numerous ER diagram tools available, and selecting the best ER diagram tool is challenging. Reading this article entirely would make things easy for you considerably. I have analyzed some of the best ER diagram tools and explained every insight about the same. Keep reading!
Also Read: Top 7 Best Visio Alternatives Diagramming Software You May Try
Contents
- Top 10 Best ER Diagram Tools to Draw Entity Relationship Diagrams
- Frequently Asked Questions About ER Diagram Tools:
- How do I choose the best ER diagram tool?
- Does selecting the best ER diagram tool really help me with ER diagrams?
- I require an ER diagram tool that allows collaboration. How do I select the best ER diagram tool for it?
- I am not a database engineer. Can I still design it?
- How do I design a perfect database?
- The Pro Review from TechReviewPro
Top 10 Best ER Diagram Tools to Draw Entity Relationship Diagrams
Readout some of the best ER diagram tools with each of their pros & cons below.
1) Lucidchart ER Diagram Tool
Lucidchart is an intelligent diagramming application that you can use to create entity relationship diagrams. The ER diagram tool makes it easy for you to draw a database by visualizing your database logically, and ensuring that the database you create is up to the mark.
Pros of Lucidchart ER Diagram Maker:
a) Amazing User Experience:
Lucidchart comes with an amazing user experience. The interface that Lucidchart comes alongside it really makes it one of the best ER diagram tools available to create entity relationship diagrams.
b) Extensive Library:
Lucidchart comes with an extensive library that ensures you get some of the most amazing objects and templates to design your database.
c) Effective Integration:
Lucidchart efficiently integrates with several third-party tools that amplify your ease in terms of creating a database.
Cons of Lucidchart ER Diagram Maker Tool:
a) Sometimes Overwhelming:
Lucidchart is sometimes overwhelming as it comes with a really huge library. It sometimes confuses a user, hence making him/her mess-up the ER diagram.
Pricing of Lucidchart ER Diagram Tool:
a) Free Bundle:
With this pack, you get 3 editable documents along with 3 editable Lucidchart boards. Also, you get 60 shapes per Lucidchart document. The number of templates offered is 100.
Pricing: $0.
b) Individual Bundle:
You get unlimited editable documents, boards, and shapes with this bundle of Lucidchart. It automatically generates ideas and uses them in the theme efficiently.
Pricing: $11.93.
c) Team Bundle:
You get access to every feature incorporated in the individual bundle plan. Also, you can collaborate easily with commenting and revision history. As the name implies, a team bundle really makes collaboration easy.
Pricing: $13.50/User.
d) Enterprise Bundle:
This bundle pack offers several advanced security features along with automatically generating diagrams by data-to-data linking. You can also divide a large meeting into smaller sessions. There are several smart and advanced integrations available with this bundle.
Pricing: Varies according to your requirements.
2) Creately ER Diagram Maker
Creately is yet another popular diagramming and whiteboarding tool. It comes with numerous editing options that allow the easy creation of ER diagrams. This ER Diagram maker tool really makes the ER diagram creation process so easy, that even beginners find it fun to draw entity diagrams using this tool.
Pros of Creately ER Diagram Maker Tool:
a) No Quality Compromise:
This is one of the major benefits of Creately. It never compromises the quality of ER diagram. Hence, you can stay assured of top-notch quality with this ER diagram maker tool.
b) Drag-and-Drop Builder:
This ER diagram drawing tool comes with a drag-and-drop builder, which ensures that creating an ER diagram is quite easy for you. You don’t need to worry about the technical complexities at all.
c) Built-in Tools:
Creately ER diagram maker comes with some of the most advanced built-in tools which make creating ER diagrams easy for you. I really loved the tools that Creately offers.
d) Data Import & Export:
Creately diagram drawing tool allows easy data import & export. Hence, after creating your content, you can easily import and export the same without losing quality by any means.
Cons of Creately ER Diagram Tool:
a) Lacks Some Editing Features:
Creately ER diagram maker tool really lacks some of the most advanced editing tools, which I feel is a major drawback. The addition of these features will really make it one of the best ER diagram tools to create ER diagrams online.
Pricing of Creately ER Diagram Maker Tool:
| Free | Personal | Team | Enterprise | |
| Documents | 3 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Folders | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Collaboration | Basic | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
| Import/Export | Limited | All | All | All |
| Customer Support | Community | Priority | Priority | |
| Pricing | $0 | Monthly: $6.95/Month Annually: $4/Month | Monthly: $8/Month per user Annually: $4.75/Month per user | Custom |
3) Slickplan Online ER Diagram Maker
Slickplan is another advanced and top-notch ER diagram maker tool that allows you to draw top-notch ER diagrams online with the utmost ease and efficiency.
Pros of Slickplan Online ER Diagram Maker:
a) Site Map Creation:
The site map creation with Slickplan is extremely easy. You can even brand it by adding your logo. The creation of the site map is one unique benefit that I found with the Slickplan online ER diagram maker tool.
b) Drag and Drop Interface:
Slickplan entity relationship diagram maker comes with a very efficient drag and drop builder, which validates the fact that creating an ER diagram would hardly be any trouble for you.
c) Easy Sharing:
You can easily export the sitemap in any format. Also, you can add collaborators to let them access it. Hence, working in a team is really easy with the Slickplan ER diagram maker tool.
Cons of Slickplan Online ER Diagram Tool:
a) Lacks Advanced Features:
Slickplan ER diagram maker really lacks some of the advanced and necessary features that work as a major drawback here. However, with future upgrades, I do expect these features to be a part of this entity diagram creation tool.
Pricing of Slickplan Online ER Diagram Maker Tool:
| Basic Plan | Pro Plan | Team Plan | Agency Plan | |
| Number of Users | 1 | 3 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Number of Projects | 3 | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Storage Space | 1GB | 25GB | 100GB | 500GB |
| Support | Email & Phone | |||
| Sitemap Creation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Content Planner | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Site Crawler | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Monthly: $9.99/Month Annually: $8.99/Month | Monthly: $29.99/Month Annually: $26.99/Month | Monthly: $59.99/Month Annually: $53.99/Month | Monthly: $99.99/Month Annually: $89.99/Month |
4) SqlDBM ER Diagram Tool
SqlDBM is one of the best ER diagram tools that allows the easy creation of database diagrams online. Even if you aren’t a database engineer, SqlDBM makes the database drawing easy for you.
Pros of SqlDBM ER Diagram Drawing Tool:
a) Intuitive UI:
SqlDBM comes with a very intuitive UI, which really makes the database design process easy and fun for you as a user. As mentioned, if you aren’t a database engineer or techie, SqlDBM allows the easy creation of the database design.
b) Reverse & Forward Engineering:
SqlDBM incorporates both, reverse & forward engineering, which I feel is a unique benefit of this amazing tool.
c) Editing Features:
This ER diagram tool offers several advanced editing features that you can effectively use to ensure that the database diagram you create is top-notch and without any flaws.
d) Collaborations:
SqlDBM allows easy collaborations. Hence, if you are working in a team, SqlDBM easily allows you to collaborate with your team members, and hence work efficiently.
Cons of SqlDBM ER Diagram Maker Tool:
a) Sometimes Overwhelming:
With the number of editing features, the SqlDBM comes alongside it, a user is bound to feel a bit overwhelmed sometimes. It might make users create a mess in terms of creating a database diagram.
Pricing of SqlDBM ER Diagram Creation Tool:
| Basic | Business | Enterprise | |
| Forward Engineering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Collaboration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Export Option | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Projects & Revisions | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Alter Script | No | Yes | Yes |
| Database Documentation | No | Yes | Yes |
| Live DB Compare | No | No | Yes |
| Oracle Importing | No | No | Yes |
| Premium Customer Support | No | No | Yes |
| Pricing | Monthly: $25/Month Annually: $240 ($20/Month) | $3000/Year | Contact Sales Team of SqlDBM |
5) GitMind ER Diagram Tool
GitMind is one of the best mind mapping software and a reliable ER diagram tool that you can effectively use to draw ER diagrams. What more? You can effectively use this identity design maker tool for free.
Pros of GitMind ER Diagram Tool:
a) Amazing Library:
GitMind comes with a huge library of different figures and shapes. You can effectively use this library to draw an amazing ER diagram online.
b) Easy-to-Use Tool:
GitMind is an easy-to-use tool that makes it quick, easy, and convenient for you to draw ER diagrams online. Hence, even if you aren’t a pro, drawing ER diagrams is easy with GitMind.
c) Easy Sharing:
GitMind allows easy sharing of projects. Hence, you can easily create entity diagrams and share your project with your team and ensure effective collaboration.
d) Free to Use:
GitMind is completely free-to-use mind mapping software. Hence, you can use the extensive & amazing library that this tool offers without paying anything, which I feel is a major benefit when considering any ER diagram maker software or tools.
Cons of GitMind ER Diagram Tool:
a) Lacks Some Advanced Features:
The only drawback I found with this entity relationship design maker tool is that it lacks some advanced features. However, it is highly expected that future updates will resolve this issue.
Pricing of GitMind ER Diagram Tool:
GitMind is an absolutely free tool to draw ER diagrams online. You don’t need to pay anything to use the features and library of GitMind.
6) Dataedo ER Diagram Tool
Dataedo is another database management system that effectively documents already existing databases. Thus, making it easier to visualise your databases with ER diagrams. With this ER diagram tool, building the data of your requirements is just a matter of a few clicks.
Pros of Dataedo ER Diagram Tool:
a) Range of Databases:
Dataedo supports a wide range of databases. It includes Google Cloud SQL, Azure SQL, etc. Hence, no matter what your requirements are, Dataedo will mostly cover each of them.
b) Drag and Drop Build:
Dataedo ER diagram tool supports drag and drop builder, which validates the fact that drawing an ER diagram is easy with this tool.
c) Amazing Templates:
Dataedo comes with some of the most amazing and customizable templates, which you can effectively use in your ER diagrams.
Cons of Dataedo ER Diagram Tool:
a) Overwhelming for Beginners:
A large number of features can make the beginners overwhelmed, which might affect their ER diagram creation process.
Pricing of Dataedo ER Diagram Tool:
a) Pro Version:
This version of the Dataedo ER diagram tool offers you standard email support along with five custom fields.
Pricing: $39/Month.
b) Pro+ Version:
This version of the Dataedo ER diagram drawing tool offers you priority support along with ten custom fields.
Pricing: $79/Month.
c) Enterprise Version:
This version of the Dataedo ER diagram creation tool comes with 100 custom fields with all the advanced features offered by the tool.
Pricing: $159/Month.
7) Visual Paradigm ER Diagram Software
Visual Paradigm is a reliable and top-notch database design and management tool, using which you can draw ER diagrams easily. It makes the entire database design work easy and ensures that even if you are a beginner, database designing becomes easy for you.
Pros of Visual Paradigm ER Diagram Tool:
a) Drag-and-Drop Editor:
Visual Paradigm ERD software comes with a drag-and-drop editor. Hence, you can design an ER diagram just by using a simple drag-and-drop builder. You don’t need to worry about technical complexities with the Visual Paradigm ER diagram tool.
b) Easy Collaborations:
Visual Paradigm entity relationship diagram tool allows easy collaborations, which ensures that you easily work with your time on your database diagram.
c) Report Preparation:
Preparing an ER diagram report is really easy using the Visual Paradigm ER diagram software tool. This is one unique benefit as compared to other ER diagram tools.
Cons of Visual Paradigm ER Diagram Tool:
a) Too Many Choices:
Of course, having too many options is a great thing, but not always. Visual Paradigm ERD software comes with numerous options, which often confuses users and leads them to create a mess with ER diagrams. This is the only drawback I noticed with this ER diagram software tool.
Pricing of Visual Paradigm ER Diagram Tool:
| Free Plan | Starter Plan | Advance Plan | Combo Plan |
| Basic templates & chart types | More diagrams & chart types | Advanced diagram symbols | All chart types |
| Basic flipbook tools | No watermarks | 200+ diagram types | All premium templates |
| Free stock photos | Export quality: High-resolution PNG | Advanced background removal | All design blocks |
| Export format: JPG, PNG, & PDF | Process map editor | Advanced team collaboration | Advanced support |
| Basic form builder | Pricing: $5/Month & $4/Month (if billed annually) | Pricing: $11/Month & $9/Month (if billed annually) | Full image background removal |
| Basic collaboration | Advanced collaboration | ||
| Pricing: $0 | Full spreadsheet editor | ||
| Pricing: $20/Month & $15/Month (if billed annually) |
8) Vertabelo ER Diagram Tool
Vertabelo is a database modeler software that helps you to design your database diagram at both, physical and logical levels. The number and the quality of features that Vertabelo offers are some of the major reasons for this tool being so popular.
Pros of Vertabelo ER Diagram Tool:
a) Importing Database:
Vertabelo allows easy import of databases, which is a major benefit of this database modeler software tool. Hence, if you are looking for a reliable tool to import a database with ease, Vertabelo is your definite answer.
b) Efficient Collaboration:
Vertabelo ER diagram tool allows efficient collaboration, which ensures that you are able to work with your team members with the utmost efficiency.
c) Content Library:
I was really amazed by the content library that Vertabelo offers. I feel that it is a unique benefit of Vertabelo.
Cons of Vertabelo ER Diagram Tool:
a) Lacks Advanced Features:
I feel that there is still massive room for improvement with Vertabelo. The addition of certain advanced editing features would make it one of the best ER diagram tools.
Pricing of Vertabelo ER Diagram Tool:
a) Basic Plan:
Suitable for small projects. Also, you get 5 database models and 25 tables per model.
Pricing: $9/Month & $7/Month (for annual payment mode).
b) Premium Plan:
Comes with 20 database models along with 100 tables per model.
Pricing: $29/Month & $24/Month (for annual payment mode).
c) Team Plan:
Comes with unlimited database models and unlimited tables per model.
Pricing: $79/Month & $62/Month (annual payment mode).
9) Erwin Data Modeler
Erwin data modeler tool allows you to create conceptual, logical, and physical data models. This tool has been an efficient data modeling option for a while now. It has been a proven success when it comes to ER diagrams.
Pros of Erwin Data Modeler ER Diagram Tool:
a) Enhanced Data Quality:
With this tool, you use data models to define enterprise standards, which implies enhanced data quality for you as a database developer.
b) Efficient Collaboration:
The importance of teamwork, specifically, in the database diagram, cannot be stressed enough. Erwin data modeler tool allows team collaboration with ease, which is a major benefit of this tool.
c) Customization with Modeling:
This ER diagram tool offers huge flexibility when it comes to customization with data modeling. Hence, you can customize your database as you wish with this tool.
Cons of Erwin Data Modeler ER Diagram Tool:
a) Lags Sometimes:
Some users have reported that this tool sometimes lags, specifically, when you create a large database. This is one major drawback that you must take into consideration when selecting this data modeler tool.
Pricing of Erwin Data Modeler ER Diagram Tool:
You need to reach out to the sales department of the tool and explain to them your requirements to get the price quotes.
10) SmartDraw ER Diagram Maker
SmartDraw is a top-rated diagram maker tool to create flowcharts, floor plans, and other diagram as well including ER diagrams. You can also effectively use this ER diagram tool to plan and draw schemas. The easy-to-use interface makes SmartDraw one of the best ER diagram tool options available.
Pros of SmartDraw ER Diagram Tool:
a) Amazing Integrations:
SmartDraw comes with some of the most amazing integrations alongside. Hence, you can effectively use several tools to make sure that the ER diagram you draw with this ER diagram drawing tool is top-notch.
b) Easy Collaboration:
If efficient collaboration is your requirement, SmartDraw diagram maker won’t be a disappointment for you. You can easily collaborate with your team using this tool and work efficiently.
c) Availability in Multiple Languages:
This ER diagram maker tool is available in multiple languages, which makes it suitable for users all over the world.
d) Amazing Customer Support:
You can rely on the efficient customer support of this diagram maker tool to ensure that your issues and query regarding this tool usage gets resolved in no time.
Cons of SmartDraw ER Diagram Tool:
a) Gets Slow Sometimes:
This diagram maker tool gets slow with some advanced functionalities sometimes. However, other than that, there is no major drawback of this entity relationship diagram maker tool.
Pricing of SmartDraw ER Diagram Tool:
a) Team Plan:
To use this plan, a minimum of 5 users are required to form a team and work. You get 1 shared team folder along with document retention & control. Also, you get premium customer support with this plan.
Pricing: $5.95/Month (billed annually).
b) Individual Plan:
This plan costs you $9.95/Month (billed annually).
c) Site Plan:
Suitable if you are looking for a plan for your organization. You get multiple shared folders along with a custom company theme.
Pricing: $2995/Year.
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Frequently Asked Questions About ER Diagram Tools:
How do I choose the best ER diagram tool?
Firstly, check out the features the ER diagram tool offers. Also, it’s wise to check the customer reviews as it would give you a clear idea about the quality of services the tool offers. Check out the customer support offered by the entity relationship diagram tool.
Lastly, be clear with your requirements and budget. The more you are clear with your own requirements and budget, the easier it will be for you to select the best ER diagram tool.
Does selecting the best ER diagram tool really help me with ER diagrams?
What an ER diagram tool does is help you with all the basic and advanced tools required for ER diagram. As you would have a complete resource alongside you, the quality of ER diagram you draw will increase automatically.
I require an ER diagram tool that allows collaboration. How do I select the best ER diagram tool for it?
Well, there are numerous ER diagram tools that allow collaboration. To select the best ER diagram tool, you need to research several other aspects like the customer support offered, the features and tools available, etc.
I am not a database engineer. Can I still design it?
Yes. That’s the main purpose of ER diagram tool. Do some research, select the best ER diagram tool, and simplify the database designing part easy for yourself.
How do I design a perfect database?
Firstly, be clear with your own requirements. Then, select the best ER diagram tool that caters to your requirements perfectly. Then, plan your workflow and start designing the database.
Use every feature and tool you are offered efficiently. Keeping these things in your mind would ensure that you design a perfect database for yourself.
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The Pro Review from TechReviewPro
Drawing an ER diagram can be a challenging task, specifically, if you aren’t a database engineer or well-equipped with technical fundamentals. However, selecting the best ER diagram tool will make things easier for you considerably.
The above analysis will definitely help you to select the best tool for designing an ER diagram, and hence use every feature offered by it efficiently.
So, what’s your go-to tool for drawing an ER diagram? Eager to know the answer. Or are you still having any doubts about any of the ER diagram creation tools?
If yes, don’t hesitate to comment your queries regarding ER diagram tools below. I will be quick to deliver you an efficient solution.
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