10 Best ER Diagram Tools

We all process thoughts and ideas differently. Some are more visual than others. They determine relationships better by looking at diagrams or flowcharts rather than reading narratives. If you are one of those people, then entity relationship (ER) diagram makers may be of great use to you. But what are they, exactly? Read on.

What Is an ER Diagram?

An ER diagram is a kind of flowchart that shows how entities—people, objects, or concepts—relate to one another within a system. It is most often used to design or debug relational databases in software engineering, business information system usage, education, and research.

Also known as “ERDs” or “ER models,” the diagrams use a defined set of symbols like rectangles, diamonds, ovals, and connecting lines to illustrate the interconnectedness of entities, relationships, and their attributes. The symbols mirror grammatical structure where entities serve as nouns and relationships act as verbs.

What Are the Uses of ER Diagrams?

ERDs, as mentioned earlier, are useful for various industries. Here are their most common applications.

Design Databases in a Snap

ERDs are used to model and design relational databases to follow logic and business rules as in the case of a logical data model. They can also illustrate specific technology implementations via physical data models.

In software engineering, creating ERDs is often the first step in determining the requirements for an information systems project. Later on, they can show the structure of particular databases. Note that relational databases often have equivalent relational tables that show the same relationships between data points.

Troubleshoot Databases Easily

ERDs can also help when you are analyzing existing databases to find and resolve problems in logic or deployment. The diagrams should reveal where something has gone wrong.

Analyze Business Information Effortlessly

ERDs are also used to design or analyze relational databases for business processes. Any process that uses fielded data involving entities, actions, and interplay can potentially benefit from a relational database. The database can streamline processes, uncover information more easily, and improve results.

Reengineer Business Processes Fast

ERDs are also helpful in analyzing existing databases that may need remodeling, making them quite handy in business process reengineering (BPR). And should new processes require new databases, the diagrams can help, too.

Keep Educational Records Organized

No organization today can function well without databases. They are, after all, the primary means of storing relational information. In fact, creating, maintaining, storing, and retrieving educational records has become much easier with ERDs’ help.

Make Research a Breeze

Most if not all research requires structured data. ERDs can help in setting up useful databases to analyze tons of data.

What Is an ER Diagram Tool ?

An ERD tool is an application designed to create ERDs or visual models of a database’s structure. Such tools use symbols and connecting lines to show entities (e.g., tables) and the relationships between them. As a result, users can design, document, and manage databases more efficiently.

What Are the Uses of ER Diagram Tools ?

EDR tools have several applications as we named below.

Visualize database structure: See a visual layout of a database with entities (e.g., customers or products) represented by boxes and the relationships between them shown as connecting lines.

Design new databases: Developers use them to sketch the logical structure of new databases before they are built. That way, they ensure its organization and scalability.

Document existing databases: The ERDs they generate can serve as a reference to understand and document how an existing database is designed.

Debug and modify databases: They help identify and fix design flaws in databases. Examples of such include missing relationships or redundant data. If you are wondering how they do that, it is by providing a clear overview of a system.

Generate code: Some advanced solutions can automatically generate SQL code or other database schemas directly from the visual ERD.

Facilitate collaboration: By providing a common visual language, they help different stakeholders (e.g., developers and business analysts) stay aligned on the database design.

10 of the Most Popular ER Diagram Tools Today

Now that you have a clearer idea as to what ERD is and how ERD tools work, you may wish to take a closer look at some of the most widely used tools today.

We’ve summarized the key takeaways from our review in the table, and then walk through each tool in more detail just below.

TOOL	AI-ENABLED	CODING REQUIRED	TEMPLATES AVAILABLE
Canva	✘	✘	✓
Creately	✘	✘	✓
dbdiagram.io	✘	✓	✘
EdrawMax	✓	✘	✓
FigJam	✘	✘	✓
Lucidchart	✓	✘	✓
Miro	✓	✘	✓
Smartdraw	✘	✘	✓
Visual Paradigm	✓	✘	✘
Whimsical	✓	✘	✓

1. Canva

Canva’s ERD maker shows how connected your data is to one another. According to the developer, users can choose from more than 20 professional graph types. They offer professionally designed templates and easy data visualization aided by uncomplicated software.

The application lets users publish, share, or download high-resolution graphs and embed their ERDs in presentations, reports, and more. Even better, the solution has an easy drag-and-drop feature, made especially for nondesigners.

The tool is free of charge. It is very easy to start, all you need to do is hit the Create an ER diagram button on the page. For business purposes, the developer offers various monthly or yearly subscription plans:

Pro: US$2,500 per person per year

Business: US$4,000 per person per year

Enterprise: Sales contact required

To use the tool, follow these steps:

Launch Canva by accessing the page and search for ER Diagram to start a design project.
Choose an ERD template.
Apply your data.
Personalize your ERD.
Download the ERD and share.

Take a look at a sample diagram template you can use via the tool below.

2. Creately

Creately ERD tool boasts of intelligent diagramming and whiteboard collaboration that keeps users on the same page during an ongoing project. The developer offers users not just pretty pictures but data-linked visual apps to streamline processes. They can customize rules, formulas, and access rules based on their requirements without coding.

You can use the tool free of charge. Various monthly and annual subscription plans are available for companies.

Personal: US$5 per month

Team: US$5 per person per month

Business: US$89 per month for an unlimited number of users

For more information about the solution, watch this video.

Here is a sample ERD template from the application.

You can use the walkthrough shown in the window on the bottom-left corner for guidance on using the tool.

3. dbdiagram.io

dbdiagram.io is a dedicated ERD maker that is a free and simple tool to draw diagrams. Unlike the first two solutions that do not require coding, this requires users to write code. As such, we can say that it caters more to developers and data analysts.

According to the developer, their tool lets users enjoy code writing. But it is not that complicated as all they need to do is type to create an ERD. It directly generates SQL statements to create database tables. Users can also integrate the application to SQL databases so they can generate diagrams from dump files.

If users, however, prefer using other web frameworks, the tool can easily integrate with the most popular ones (e.g., Rails or Django), too. They simply need to upload their schema.rb or models.py file to the solution.

To share the results, users can export images and PDFs for sharing with stakeholders. They can also opt to share diagrams online with a single click.

The solution is free to use. Take a look at its user interface (UI) below.

4. EdrawMax

EdrawMax lets users plan, visualize, and collaborate all within a single platform. The developer offers more than 210 diagram types from flowcharts to circuit diagrams. The diagrams can be considered information-rich visual weapons for agile processes.

The tool is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) so users can create captivating diagrams in a pinch. It supports AI diagramming, chat, drawing, symbol, analysis, copywriting, optical character recognition (OCR), and sticker features.

The solution is more comparable with Canva and Creately in that it can help not just with ERDs but also other image types. It is downloadable free of charge. Users with professional requirements, though, can also opt to buy the software. Pricing depends on the plan they choose.

Yearly Plan: US$59.99

Perpetual Plan: US$119.99

Perpetual Bundle Plan: US$129.99

The tool offers free templates users can readily use. An interactive demonstration on the main page can guide them on using the application. Here is a sample template from the online version of the solution.

Users need to sign up to download a template for modification.

5. FigJam

FigJam boasts of empowering teams to build better products by defining ideas, aligning on decisions, and moving forward from a single place. It works more like the other three drag-and-drop tools on our list so far jumping off templates.

Like all the other tools, users can avail of it free of charge although organizations can opt for paid subscriptions at varying price points.

Professional: Starts from US$3 (Collab seat) to US$16 (Full seat) per month

Organization: Starts from US$5 (Collab seat) to US$55 (Full seat) per month billed annually

Enterprise: Starts from US$5 (Collab seat) to US$90 (Full seat) per month billed annually

Users can access the tool by signing up and hitting the Start with this template button. Take a look at a sample template you can work from below.

6. Lucidchart

Lucidchart allows users to create next-generation diagrams with AI’s help for automated data analysis. The results thus help them understand and optimize systems and processes. It can generate visuals automatically with AI and data imports or help users build their own ERDs using intuitive diagramming tools. It also lets them collaborate in real time anytime. Finally, it uses intelligent features to improve data visibility for informed decisions and better innovation.

The tool is accessible for free. Learn more by watching a video demonstration. Users can also opt to subscribe to various plans.

Individual: US$9 per month

Team: US$10 per user per month

Enterprise: Sales contact required

7. Miro

Miro is especially designed for creating diagrams, including ERDs. Users can sign up for free and start diagramming. Unlike dbdiagram.io, however, it is powered by AI, making the creation process much easier. Users need not code but instead build diagrams using prompts.

To learn more about the tool, watch this video.

Users can choose from various subscription plans.

Starter: US$8 per month per user

Business: US$16 per month per user

Enterprise: Custom pricing for 30 users or more

Here is a preview of the Miro UI.

8. SmartDraw

SmartDraw is most like Miro in that it lets users make all kinds of diagrams from flowcharts to organizational charts, network diagrams, and more. It is easy to use and integrate with other applications. All creations can also be readily uploaded to various cloud storage solutions. And since the diagrams can be downloaded or uploaded in various forms, they are easy to share with others.

Accessing the tool is free. Users just need to click the Make Your Diagram > button to start diagramming. Choose Flowcharts from the list on the left side. By clicking Agile Software Testing, you will see the template below.

You can then use it as a jumpoff point for your project.

9. Visual Paradigm

Visual Paradigm offers a full suite of design, analysis, and management tools to drive IT project development and digital transformation. Its tools use an AI chatbot assistant to turn ideas into professional, presentation-ready diagrams. Users do not have to manually draw diagrams. They can just describe what they need instead.

Creating an ERD is possible by downloading the tool from the developer’s page. Potential users can buy a perpetual license at varying price points.

Modeler: US$99

Standard: US$349

Professional: US$799

Enterprise: US$1,999

Users can also try out the online tool, which when accessed, opens up to this UI.

10. Whimsical

Like dbdiagram.io and Miro, Whimsical only lets users primarily create flowcharts. And similar to many of the other tools featured here, it is powered by AI as well. It allows building and communicating complex processes with an intuitive interface, predictive shapes, infinite canvas space, and keyboard shortcuts. Results can be readily shared with others, too.

Users can access the tool for free or opt for a paid subscription.