At a glance
| Supported databases | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MariaDB |
| ER diagrams and notation | Visual ER diagrams of physical tables and relationships |
| Reverse engineering | From pasted CREATE TABLE statements; no live database connection listed |
| Forward engineering (DDL) | DDL, Laravel migrations and JSON export |
| Collaboration | Table comments and version history; real-time multiplayer from the Growth plan |
| Deployment | Hosted web application |
| Licensing | Free (public only); Starter $19, Growth $59, Large $179 per month (USD); Enterprise by quote |
DrawSQL suits small product and engineering teams that want to design a relational schema visually, discuss it in comments and export the DDL or Laravel migrations. The free plan only allows public diagrams of up to 15 tables, so private work needs a paid plan, and it works from pasted SQL rather than a live database connection.
Overview
DrawSQL is a web application for drawing entity relationship diagrams of relational schemas. You build tables visually or import an existing schema by pasting CREATE TABLE statements, then export DDL, Laravel migrations or JSON. It supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server and MariaDB and offers more than 200 starter templates such as CRM, e-commerce and SaaS billing schemas.
Collaboration features include threaded comments attached to specific tables, version history and, on Growth and higher plans, real-time multiplayer editing. DrawSQL AI can review a schema for issues such as missing indexes or naming inconsistencies and generate tables from a description, showing a diff before changes apply. Diagrams can be embedded in Notion, Confluence and similar tools.
Key features
- Visual table and relationship editor with auto layout, table groups and sticky notes
- Import by pasting CREATE TABLE statements
- Export to DDL, Laravel migrations and JSON
- Comment threads attached to tables, kept open until resolved
- Real-time multiplayer editing on Growth, Large and Enterprise plans
- DrawSQL AI schema review and table generation with diffs before changes are applied
- More than 200 starter schema templates and embeddable diagrams
Pros and cons
Pros
- Published prices with monthly and annual options
- Comments on individual tables suit design reviews
- Laravel migration export alongside plain DDL
- Large template library for starting a new schema
Cons
- Free plan allows only public diagrams of up to 15 tables
- Only four relational engines are supported
- No live database connection is listed, so imports depend on pasted SQL
- Table limits per diagram on Starter (50) and Growth (100)
Pricing
Prices in USD: Free (public diagrams only, 15 tables per diagram, 1 user); Starter $19 per month or $171 per year (10 private diagrams, 50 tables per diagram, 1 user); Growth $59 per month or $531 per year (unlimited private diagrams, 100 tables, up to 5 users, real-time multiplayer); Large $179 per month or $1,790 per year (unlimited tables, up to 25 users); Enterprise by quote with SSO, SAML and an audit trail. Paid plans include 500 DrawSQL AI credits a month.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Small teams designing MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server or MariaDB schemas who want a visual editor with comments and DDL or Laravel export.
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams that prefer to write the schema as text and keep it in Git: see dbdiagram.io.
- Enterprise modelling across many platforms with logical and physical layers: see ER/Studio Data Architect or our ER diagram tools guide.
Verdict
DrawSQL is a focused, visual schema designer with clear published pricing and useful review features such as table comments. Its scope is limited to four relational engines and pasted SQL imports, and the free plan is mainly for public diagrams, so most teams will need a paid plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is DrawSQL free?
There is a free plan with unlimited public diagrams of up to 15 tables for one user. Private diagrams start with the Starter plan at $19 per month or $171 per year.
Which databases does DrawSQL support?
MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server and MariaDB.
Can DrawSQL connect to my database?
DrawSQL documents importing a schema by pasting CREATE TABLE statements; it does not list a direct database connection. You can export DDL, Laravel migrations or JSON.
Sources
Checked November 2026.
How we research reviews and what star ratings mean: our editorial method.