drawDB Is a Free Online Database Schema Editor & SQL Generator for Developers
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If you are looking for a simple, intuitive, and free database schema editor? Then we highly recommend drawDB, a lightweight, open-source ER diagram tool that runs in your browser and helps you visualize, design, and generate SQL scripts for your database, all without signing up or installing anything.
Whether you're a student learning SQL, a developer designing a database, or a small team prototyping a new app, drawDB makes it easy to create entity relationship diagrams (ERD) and generate clean, ready-to-use SQL code.
What Is drawDB?
drawDB is a free, open-source, browser-based database schema editor that helps you design database structures visually and export SQL scripts for popular databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.
It’s built with simplicity in mind, no bloat, no tracking, and no complex setup. Just open the app, draw your schema, and generate your SQL.
There are many SQL diagram tools and ERD editors out there, like dbdiagram.io, Lucidchart, or draw.io, but drawDB fills a niche that many tools miss:
- No sign-up required, Get started instantly
- SQL export ready, Generate clean, database-specific scripts
- Lightweight and fast, Works smoothly even on older machines
- Self-hostable: Perfect for teams that need privacy or offline use
Features
Visual Database Design
- Drag-and-drop interface: Build diagrams with just a few clicks
- Support for relational databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MariaDB, and SQL Server
- Object-relational support: Define custom types and JSON schemas
Export Capabilities
- Generate DDL SQL scripts: Ready to run on your database
- Export diagrams as JSON or image: For documentation or sharing
Import & Reverse Engineering
- Import existing DDL scripts: Automatically generate a diagram
- Visualize existing schemas: Spot issues and optimize structure
Customizable Interface
- Customize your workspace: Choose which components to display
- Dark mode & theme support: Tailor the UI to your preferences
- Custom templates: Save and reuse common structures
Powerful Editor Features
- Undo/Redo, Copy/Paste, Duplicate: Essential editing tools
- Add tables, subject areas, and notes: Build complex diagrams with ease
- Issue detection: Identify and fix errors in your diagram
Productivity Enhancements
- Keyboard shortcuts: Speed up your workflow
- Presentation mode: Share your diagrams during team meetings
- Todo tracking: Keep track of tasks and mark them as done
Pre-Built Templates
- Start with templates: Get inspiration or jumpstart your project
- Create custom templates: Save time with reusable structures
🌐 Open Source & Community Driven
- Free to use: No sign-up required
- Open-source: Contribute or self-host with ease
- Supported by a growing community: Join on Discord, GitHub, and X
📱 Browser-Based & Accessible
- Runs entirely in your browser: No installation needed
- No account required: Start designing immediately
- Data stored locally: Keep your diagrams private (remember to back up!)
Hazem AbbasWho Is drawDB For?
- Developers who need to sketch out database schemas quickly
- Students learning SQL and relational database design
- Startups building MVPs and need to prototype database structures
- Freelancers looking for a fast, no-friction schema editor
Hazem Abbas
Why You Should Use drawDB
Here are the key benefits that make drawDB stand out among other SQL diagram tools:
- Free & Open Source: No cost, no ads, and completely open for contributions or self-hosting.
- No Sign-Up Required: Start building diagrams instantly without creating an account.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Build database schemas quickly with an intuitive UI.
- SQL Script Generation: Export your design to SQL for any major database engine.
- Customizable Editor: Change themes, fonts, and layouts to match your style.
- Lightweight & Fast: Works smoothly even on older machines or low-bandwidth connections.
- Self-Hostable: Run it locally or on your server in under a minute using Docker.
- Built for Developers: Clean UI, responsive design, and developer-first features.
Hazem Abbas
How to Use drawDB
You can use drawDB in three easy ways:
Use It Online (No Setup Needed)
Just visit the drawDB demo page, and start building your database schema right away.
Run It Locally
Want to run it on your machine?
git clone https://github.com/drawdb-io/drawdb
cd drawdb
npm install
npm run dev
Now open your browser and go to http://localhost:3000.
Use Docker (Recommended for Fast Setup)
Prefer Docker?
docker build -t drawdb .
docker run -p 3000:80 drawdb
Open your browser and go to http://localhost:3000.
Enable File Sharing (Optional)
Want to share your diagrams with others?
Configure the backend server and environment variables using .env.sample. This step is optional and only needed if you want to enable file sharing.
Wrapping Up!
drawDB is a refreshing take on database modeling, fast, clean, and free. Whether you're building a simple schema or planning a full database architecture, drawDB gives you the tools to visualize, design, and export with ease.
If you're in search of a lightweight, open-source SQL schema editor, drawDB is definitely worth a try.
drawdb-io
