Top Data Modeling Tools 2022
Data modeling tools create a simple, easy-to-understand diagram of data flow. Explore the best software now.
A data model is a conceptual depiction of data objects and relationships between data objects and the rules. It is a representation that aids in creating conceptual models while setting relationships between data items. There are three types of data models:
There are a few important factors to consider when choosing a data modeling solution or vendor:
Also read: Top 8 Data & Data Analytics Trends for 2022
Tool | Forward Engineering | Reverse Engineering | Physical Data Models | Conceptual Data Models | Logical Data Models | UML |
ERBuilder | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Archi | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
erwin Data Modeler | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
IBM InfoSphere Data Architect | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Idera ER Studio | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Lucidchart | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
ERBuilder Data Modeler gives developers the ability to use entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs) to graphically design databases. The tool automatically generates many well-known SQL databases. Through an advanced visual data modeling environment, developers can easily deploy databases.
Con: Large data models may suffer from long load times.
Pricing: A free edition is available for non-commercial use, and each of the four paid plans offer a free trial and demo. The Starter plan is priced at $49, Standard at $99, Professional at $149, and Enterprise at $199.
The Archi modeling toolkit is an inexpensive solution that targets enterprise architects and modelers of all levels. It provides an economical platform to users who may be starting out in the ArchiMate modeling language. Archi also targets users who seek an open-source, cross-platform ArchiMate modeling tool for their institution.
Con: The UI is not intuitive, and the directory may frustrate users.
Pricing: Archi is an open-source tool. Although, they do welcome donations to help maintain Archi.
erwin Data Modeler by Quest is a data modeling tool for finding, visualizing, designing, standardizing, and deploying high-quality enterprise data assets. It is defined by discovery and documentation of any data from any source for clarity, consistency, artifact reuse across large-scale data integration, and business intelligence initiatives among others.
Con: The UI may seem dated and may be complex to navigate.
Pricing: A free trial is available. Contact the erwin Data Modeler pricing team for questions on pricing or a quote for your unique requirements.
IBM InfoSphere Data Architect is a data design solution that covers every section of the data design process. It helps users discover, standardize, model, integrate, and relate vast and distributed data assets all through the enterprise. This collaborative enterprise data design and modeling tool simplifies and accelerates integration design for master data management and business intelligence.
Con: Logical data models cannot be exported.
Pricing: For pricing information, contact the IBM InfoSphere Data Architect pricing team.
Idera ER/Studio is a business-driven data architecture solution combining multi-platform data modeling, business process modeling, and enterprise metadata. Through its extensive set of features, it provides logical and physical modeling and caters to the needs of organizations of all sizes.
Con: The repository may become slower with an increased model count.
Pricing: ER/Studio Data Architect starts at $1,470.40 per workstation or user, including a year of support and maintenance per license. The ER/Studio Data Architect Professional package requires you to get in touch with the vendor for a custom quote. Free trials are also available for various database and model design tools.
Lucidchart is an intelligent diagramming application aiming to assist users to build the future faster. It unites teams to improve decision-making and helps users understand people, processes, and systems that improve businesses. Aside from diagramming, it offers data visualization and collaboration to accelerate innovation.
Cons: The UI may come across as clunky, and the visual interface customization is limited. The free plan’s features are also quite limited, and the tool’s learning curve may prove frustrating to beginners.
Pricing: Aside from a free plan, Lucidchart offers three plans. There is the Individual plan that starts at $7.95, a Team plan that starts at $9.00 per user and requires a minimum of 3 users, and the Enterprise plan which requires potential users to contact Lucidchart sales for a quote.
In addition to the tool selection factors, you should always take up free trials and demos where available to test the tools in consideration and ensure that the chosen tool is the right fit.
Read next: Best Data Management Platforms (DMP) 2021
Collins Ayuya is a contributing writer for Enterprise Networking Planet with over seven years of industry and writing experience. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Computer Science, carrying out academic research in Natural Language Processing. He is a startup founder and writes about startups, innovation, new technology, and developing new products. His work also regularly appears in TechRepublic, ServerWatch, Channel Insider, and Section.io. In his downtime, Collins enjoys doing pencil and graphite art and is also a sportsman and gamer.
Enterprise Networking Planet aims to educate and assist IT administrators in building strong network infrastructures for their enterprise companies. Enterprise Networking Planet contributors write about relevant and useful topics on the cutting edge of enterprise networking based on years of personal experience in the field.
Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved
Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.