# Top 4 Free, Open Source Database Schema Diagram Tools to Visualize Database Easier in 2025

> Evaluate several database schema diagram tools, and help you to choose the right one for 2025

Adela | 2025-05-27 | Source: https://www.bytebase.com/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/

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> **Note:** This post is maintained by Bytebase, an open-source database DevSecOps tool. We update the post every year.

| Update History | Comment            |
| -------------- | ------------------ |
| 2025/05/27     | Initial version.   |

Previously, understanding database structures required parsing lengthy SQL scripts or complex command-line interfaces, which was unintuitive and error-prone. To solve this, developers created graphical tools for visualizing database schemas, helping teams design and document databases more easily. Here, we explore four top open-source options for schema visualization in 2025.

![star-history](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/star-history.webp)

## DrawDB

[DrawDB](https://www.drawdb.app/)  is a free, browser-based database diagram editor with a simple drag-and-drop interface. It lets you design ER diagrams visually and export SQL scripts for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MariaDB, and SQL Server — no account required.

**Key Features:**

- Intuitive UI with real-time collaboration
- Export diagrams as SQL or images
- Works offline (PWA-supported)

**GitHub Stats:** [30.3k stars](https://github.com/drawdb-io/drawdb), 2.1k forks

**Best For:** Quick schema design & sharing

![drawdb](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/drawdb.webp)
![drawdb-ui](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/drawdb-ui.webp)

## ChartDB

[ChartDB](https://chartdb.io/) is a smart, query-driven visualization tool that generates diagrams instantly from your database schema. It supports AI-powered DDL exports, making migrations between databases seamless.

**Key Features:**

- "Smart Query" for instant JSON schema parsing
- Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and NoSQL options
- No database credentials needed (security-focused)

**GitHub Stats:** [16.6k stars](https://github.com/chartdb/chartdb)

**Best For:** Teams managing multiple database systems

![chartdb](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/chartdb.webp)
![chartdb-ui](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/chartdb-ui.webp)

## Azimutt

[Azimutt](https://azimutt.app/) specializes in exploring large, complex schemas with advanced filtering and relationship tracking. Unlike traditional ERD tools, it handles messy real-world databases effortlessly.

**Key Features:**

- Search, filter, and trace table relationships
- Supports SQL (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle ...) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Counchbase, SQLite ...)

**GitHub Stats:** [1.9k stars](https://github.com/azimuttapp/azimutt)

**Best For:** Enterprise-scale database documentation

![azimutt](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/azimutt.webp)
![azimutt-ui](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/azimutt-ui.webp)

## Liam ERD

[Liam ERD](https://liambx.com/) auto-generates interactive ER diagrams from existing schemas (Rails, Prisma, PostgreSQL) with zero setup. It’s ideal for visualizing large projects (100+ tables).

**Key Features:**

- Instant diagrams from schema files
- Zoom, pan, and filter for clarity
- Open-source (Apache 2.0 license)

**GitHub Stats:** [4k stars](https://github.com/liam-hq/liam)

**Best For:** Developers needing fast, no-fuss visualization

![liamerd](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/liamerd.webp)
![liamerd-ui](/content/blog/top-database-schema-diagram-tools/liamerd-ui.webp)

## Key Options Compared

| Tool       | Best For                  | Standout Features                     | Database Support               | GitHub Stars |
|------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------|-------------|
| **DrawDB** | Simple visualization      | Clean UI, no account needed           | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server   | 30.3k ⭐     |
| **ChartDB**| Multi-database teams      | AI-powered SQL exports                | 7+ SQL/NoSQL options            | 16.6k ⭐     |
| **Azimutt**| Complex schemas           | Advanced search & relationship maps    | SQL + MongoDB/Couchbase         | 1.9k ⭐      |
| **Liam ERD**| Auto-generated diagrams  | Zero-config setup                     | Rails, Prisma, PostgreSQL       | 4k ⭐        |

## Quick Recommendations

- **Startups/Simple Projects**: DrawDB (easiest to use)
- **Enterprise Teams**: Azimutt (handles complexity best)
- **Multi-DB Environments**: ChartDB (best for migrations)
- **Rails/Prisma Users**: Liam ERD (most automated)

## Emerging Trends

1. **AI Integration**: More tools adding smart suggestions (like ChartDB's exports)
2. **Real-Time Collaboration**: Team editing features becoming standard
3. **Broader NoSQL Support**: Tools expanding beyond relational DBs

All tools are actively maintained and free to use. For most developers, trying 2-3 options will help identify the best fit for their workflow.