Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler: Features and Alternatives

Vendor

Oracle

Price

Free

Platforms

Windows, macOS, Linux

Licence

Oracle download (proprietary); check the licence terms shown at download

Works with

Oracle DatabaseSQL ServerIBM Db2 for LUW

At a glance

Supported databases	Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM Db2/LUW (third-party JDBC drivers needed for non-Oracle databases)
ER diagrams and notation	Barker (crow's foot) or Bachman for logical models
Reverse engineering	From a live data dictionary, DDL files, Oracle Designer, ERwin and Microsoft XMLA files
Forward engineering (DDL)	DDL file editor with preview for Oracle, SQL Server and Db2
Collaboration	Subversion integration and a built-in Git client; reporting repository
Deployment	Java desktop application for Windows, macOS and Linux
Licensing	No cost inside SQL Developer; check the standalone download's licence terms

Short answer

SQL Developer Data Modeler is the obvious first choice for Oracle shops that want full logical-to-physical modelling at no cost, with design rules, reports and Git or Subversion for team work. It is less suited to other engines: import and DDL cover Oracle, SQL Server and Db2 only, and the newest documented release is 24.3, while SQL Developer itself has moved to 26.x.

How we know: This profile is research-based: features, supported databases and licensing were checked against Oracle's SQL Developer Data Modeler documentation (release 24.3) and the SQL Developer 26.2 documentation. We have not installed the tool.

Overview

Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler is a graphical modelling tool from Oracle. Its core is the logical model (an entity-relationship diagram), from which you derive relational models and Oracle-specific physical models, alongside multidimensional, data types, process and business information models. Logical diagrams can use Barker (crow's foot) or Bachman notation.

It is a Java desktop application that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. It imports from the data dictionary of a supported database, from DDL files, from Oracle Designer, from ERwin XML files and from Microsoft XMLA files, and generates DDL from physical models; the documentation covers Oracle, SQL Server and IBM Db2 physical models and drivers. A version of Data Modeler is also built into the SQL Developer desktop IDE.

Key features

Logical, relational, physical, multidimensional, data types and process models in one design
Barker (crow's foot) or Bachman notation for logical diagrams
Reverse engineering from a database data dictionary or a DDL file, plus Oracle Designer and ERwin imports
DDL generation with preview from the physical model for Oracle, SQL Server and Db2
Design rules that check logical and relational models for violations
Integrated Subversion support and, since release 19.2, a built-in Git client
A reporting repository schema that stores design metadata for reports

Pros and cons

Pros

No cost inside the free SQL Developer IDE, with logical, relational and physical modelling that many tools charge for
Deep support for Oracle physical objects and Oracle Designer imports
Version control for designs through Git or Subversion
Design rules and a reporting repository for governance

Cons

Import and DDL generation cover only Oracle, SQL Server and Db2; non-Oracle JDBC drivers must be added by hand
The newest documented release is 24.3, behind SQL Developer's 26.x releases
A traditional Java desktop interface with no browser-based sharing of models

Pricing

A version of Data Modeler is built into SQL Developer desktop, which Oracle's documentation describes as a free tool. We could not confirm the licence terms of the standalone Data Modeler download on an Oracle page we could load, so read the terms shown when you download it.

Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.

Who it is best for

Oracle teams, and anyone modelling Oracle, SQL Server or Db2 schemas, who want a free tool with logical and physical models, design rules and version control.

Who should look elsewhere

PostgreSQL, MySQL or cloud warehouse schemas: see ER diagram tools for multi-engine and PostgreSQL-specific modellers.
Teams that want a hosted, browser-based modeller with real-time collaboration.

Verdict

Our take

For Oracle-centred teams, SQL Developer Data Modeler offers a complete modelling toolset at no cost, including Barker notation, design rules and Git support. Its narrow engine list and slower release pace mean multi-engine or cloud-first teams will usually look elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

Is Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler free?

A version of Data Modeler is built into SQL Developer desktop, which Oracle's documentation describes as a free tool. For the standalone download, read the licence terms Oracle shows when you download it.

Which databases can it reverse-engineer?

Oracle's Data Modeler 24.3 documentation covers Oracle databases, Microsoft SQL Server and IBM Db2/LUW. Oracle does not supply the non-Oracle JDBC drivers, so you download them and add them in the Data Modeler preferences.

Is Data Modeler the same as SQL Developer?

They are separate downloads. SQL Developer desktop includes an integrated version of Data Modeler, while the standalone SQL Developer Data Modeler is documented separately, most recently for release 24.3.

Sources

Checked November 2026.

How we research reviews and what star ratings mean: our editorial method.