drawDB vs Azimutt
Designing a new schema, versus exploring an existing one.
Azimutt and drawDB are both open source and both draw entity-relationship diagrams, but they point in opposite directions. Azimutt is built for exploring, documenting and analysing a database that already exists, and it is strong when a schema is large and unfamiliar. drawDB is built for designing a schema and producing runnable SQL DDL for seven dialects, and for reverse-engineering a diagram from a DDL script you paste in. If you are mapping a legacy database with hundreds of tables, look at Azimutt. If you are designing a schema and want the SQL out the other end, use drawDB.
drawDB vs Azimutt at a glance
| Feature | drawDB | Azimutt |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0 (open source) | MIT (open source) |
| Free tier | Unlimited diagrams, no account required | Free plan, unlimited tables |
| Account required to start | No | Yes, for the hosted app |
| SQL (DDL) export | 7 dialects | Focused on exploration |
| SQL import / reverse engineering | Yes (paste DDL, get a diagram) | Yes, via database connection |
| DBML | Import and export | Supported |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server for AI agents | Yes, official MCP server | Not offered |
| Paid plans from | $14 / month | $7 / month, billed annually |
Figures taken from each vendor's public pricing page. Last checked 2026-09-09.
Which should you pick?
Choose Azimutt if
- You need to explore and document a large database that already exists.
- You want to analyse a schema for design problems across hundreds of tables.
- You want to browse real data alongside the schema.
Choose drawDB if
- You are designing a new schema rather than mapping an existing one.
- You need SQL DDL generation across seven dialects.
- You want to start with no account at all.
- You want AI agents to read your schema through an official MCP server.
drawDB vs Azimutt
Yes. Azimutt is MIT licensed and drawDB is AGPL-3.0, and both can be self-hosted.
Azimutt focuses on exploring, documenting and analysing databases that already exist. drawDB focuses on designing schemas and generating runnable SQL DDL for seven dialects.
No. drawDB works from diagrams and DDL scripts rather than live connections, which is why the free editor needs no account and no credentials leave your browser.