12 Best ER Diagram Tools to Use in 2024

ER (Entity-Relationship) diagrams are essential tools in database design. In this article, we will introduce the best ER diagram tools available in 2024.

1. Lucidchart

<span class="image-inline ck-widget" contenteditable="false"> <img src="https://images.doclify.net/gleek-web/d/9a215862-d5cc-4f7f-aa6a-2e87f78c3ca0.png?w=1200&format=webp" alt="Lucidchart" style="aspect-ratio:800/300;" width="800" height="300"> </span>

Lucidchart allows you to create various types of diagrams, including ER diagrams. It integrates seamlessly with MS Office and G Suite.

Key Features:

• Real-time collaboration
• Automated diagramming
• Enhanced security

Pricing: Starts at $7.95/month for a single-user account

2. DeZign for Databases

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DeZign for Databases is a tool that helps visualize database structures. It allows you to create new databases as well as reverse engineer existing ones.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop interface
• Various display modes
• Industry-standard design notation

Pricing: Standard Edition €19/month, Professional Edition €59/month

3. Gleek.io

<span class="image-inline ck-widget" contenteditable="false"> <img src="https://images.doclify.net/gleek-web/d/a79aa89e-4fc0-4524-b464-c2306be1b242.png?w=1200&format=webp" alt="Gleek.io" style="aspect-ratio:500/200;" width="500" height="200"> </span>

Gleek.io is a fast diagramming and flowcharting application that operates through keyboard commands and code.

Key Features:

• Keyboard-based user interface
• Fast diagramming
• Version control

Pricing: Basic app is free, Premium version €9.95/month

4. EasyRd

EasyRd is a recently emerged innovative ER diagram tool. It operates on a code-based system and leverages the well-known open-source grammar, DBML (Database Markup Language).

Key Features:

• DBML grammar support for easy generation via GPT
• Code-based diagram generation
• Completely free to use

The biggest advantage of EasyRd is that it uses the DBML grammar to easily generate ER diagrams through AI tools like GPT. It provides a code-based interface familiar to developers while enabling intuitive visualization. It is also completely free to use, eliminating any cost burden.

This tool will be an attractive option, especially for developers interested in rapid prototyping or AI-based database design.

5. DbDesigner

<span class="image-inline ck-widget" contenteditable="false"> <img src="https://images.doclify.net/gleek-web/d/d72c83c1-b505-42bf-951a-f393f5326652.png?w=1200&format=webp" alt="DbDesigner" style="aspect-ratio:500/200;" width="500" height="200"> </span>

DbDesigner is suitable for teams that need to create different user classes for a project.

Key Features:

• Advanced export options
• Project and team management
• Export and import with SQL

Pricing: Basic package $6/month, Unlimited package $15/month

6. SmartDraw

<span class="image-inline ck-widget" contenteditable="false"> <img src="https://images.doclify.net/gleek-web/d/66ecfeb4-f004-40e6-b84d-6a583d6d63be.png?w=1200&format=webp" alt="SmartDraw" style="aspect-ratio:500/200;" width="500" height="200"> </span>

SmartDraw is a web-based tool for diagramming and schema creation.

Key Features:

• Intelligent formatting
• Professional output
• Visio import and export

Pricing: Starts at $9.95/month for a single-user account

7. Visual Paradigm

<span class="image-inline ck-widget" contenteditable="false"> <img src="https://images.doclify.net/gleek-web/d/6e7ce826-9eff-4315-a9a3-e180852bad0e.png?w=1200&format=webp" alt="Visual Paradigm" style="aspect-ratio:500/200;" width="500" height="200"> </span>

Visual Paradigm comes with several ERD templates and allows you to create various types of diagrams.

Key Features:

• UML diagrams
• ER diagrams
• BPMN diagrams

Pricing: Starts at $6/month, perpetual licenses start at $99 for a single user

8. dbdiagram.io

<span class="image-inline ck-widget" contenteditable="false"> <img src="https://images.doclify.net/gleek-web/d/86f8831c-59ee-42b2-8ef4-6571a1bbe4a3.png?w=1200&format=webp" alt="dbdiagram.io" style="aspect-ratio:500/200;" width="500" height="200"> </span>

dbdiagram.io makes it easy for power users to create ER diagrams.

Key Features:

• SQL statement generation
• Export to image and PDF
• One-click sharing

Pricing: Free basic plan, Pro version $9/month

9. dBForge Studio for SQL Server

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dBForge Studio for SQL Server is a SQL management tool that also allows for ER diagram creation.

Key Features:

• SQL coding support
• Index manager
• Schema comparison

Pricing: Starts at $249.95

10. Navicat Data Modeler

<span class="image-inline ck-widget" contenteditable="false"> <img src="https://images.doclify.net/gleek-web/d/b493843e-24e2-4b98-abcd-cc6fa2b6cbf9.png?w=1200&format=webp" alt="Navicat Data Modeler" style="aspect-ratio:500/200;" width="500" height="200"> </span>

Navicat Data Modeler creates diagrams for MySQL, Oracle, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.

Key Features:

• Database objects
• Reverse engineering
• SQL code generation

Pricing: Enterprise Edition $22.99/month or $229.99/year (per user)