The Ultimate Database Modeling Ecosystem

The Ultimate AI ERD Tool
& Database Design Software

Why settle for just drawing lines?

A robust database design tool is the backbone of scalable software. It must bridge the gap between SQL Design concepts and technical implementation, ensuring data integrity through normalization while supporting Cloud Modeling and rapid iteration. Whether you are defining complex enterprise schemas or prototyping with an AI ERD Tool, the right modeling software accelerates development and reduces architectural debt.

Two powerful platforms. One mission. Select the product that fits your workflow:

Visual Paradigm Desktop Logo
Visual Paradigm Desktop

Deep engineering, offline capabilities, and reverse engineering for enterprise systems.
Visual Paradigm Online Logo
Visual Paradigm Online

Cloud-based diagramming, AI-driven automation, and real-time collaboration.
VP Desktop VP Online Compare
Visual Paradigm Desktop

The Engineer's Workbench

Built for complex enterprise systems. When you need deep control, offline capability, and rigorous forward/reverse engineering.

ERD modeler
Inline Editing
Inline Shape Editing

Edit types & keys directly on canvas without popups.

Resource Centric
Resource-Centric

One-click relationship creation via smart magnets.

Smart Sweeper
Smart Sweeper

Auto-layout and align messy diagrams instantly.

Professional Data Modeling

Go beyond simple drawing. Our ERD modeler is designed for speed and precision. Use the resource-centric interface to create entities and relationships without dragging from a toolbar.

  • Standard & Chen Notation: Full support for logical, conceptual, and physical models.
  • Sub-Diagrams: Break down massive schemas into manageable, logical sub-views.

Explore Industry Standard ER Diagrams

Click to enlarge
Online Bookstore System
Hospital Management
Fleet Management
Engineering Interface

Round-Trip Engineering

Bridge the gap between design and implementation. Keep your visual models in perfect sync with your actual database using our robust engineering engine.

Reverse Engineering

Import existing legacy databases (Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL) directly into visual ERDs for analysis.

Forward Engineering (DDL)

Generate error-free DDL scripts from your diagrams to patch or create your database schema.

Desktop AI Assistant

AI-Powered Modeling

Even on desktop, you aren't alone. Use our integrated AI to jumpstart your design process.

"Design a Hospital Management System"

Simply type a phrase, and the AI generates the Entities, Attributes, and Relationships for you.

  • Instant Entity Suggestions
  • Smart Relationship Inferencing
Bonus Access: VP Desktop users with active maintenance enjoy full access to the cloud-based DB Modeler AI.
Doc Composer
JD
John Doe Just now
Should we change this Primary Key to UUID?

Complete Lifecycle

Database design doesn't exist in a vacuum. VP Desktop manages the entire lifecycle of your model.

Doc. Composer

Drag & drop your diagrams to build professional PDF/Word specifications.

Team Collaboration

Commit work with version control, merge changes, and chat directly over diagrams with comment threads.

Project Publisher

Publish your entire project as an interactive web site for stakeholders.

Ready to engineer your database?

Start with Visual Paradigm Desktop today. Includes 30-day free trial of Enterprise features.

Visual Paradigm Online

Design at the Speed of AI

No installation required. A collaborative, cloud-based workspace enhanced with a powerful AI ecosystem.

DB Modeler AI

An intelligent, browser-based web application that transforms a simple natural language description into a fully normalized, production-ready SQL database schema.

Text-to-SQL Automatic 3NF Interactive Playground
visual-paradigm.com/app/db-modeler-ai
Preview
Dual-View Editors

Edit visual diagrams or underlying PlantUML code side-by-side.

SQL Playground

Client-side SQLite environment to generate data and run queries instantly.

7-Step Guided Workflow

1
Problem Input

Describe your application in plain language. The AI will convert this concept into detailed technical requirements.

2
Domain Class Diagram

Visualize high-level objects and their attributes in an editable PlantUML diagram.

3
ER Diagram

Convert your conceptual model into a database-specific ER diagram, defining keys and relationships.

4
Initial Schema Generation

Translate your ER diagram into PostgreSQL-compatible SQL DDL statements.

5
Intelligent Normalization

Progressively optimize your schema from 1NF to 3NF, with AI-powered rationales for every change.

6
Interactive Playground

Experiment with your schema in an in-browser SQL client, seeded with realistic AI-generated data.

7
Final Report and Export

Export all diagrams, documentation, and SQL scripts as a polished PDF or JSON package.

Cloud Diagramming

Need to draw a quick schema? VP Online offers a streamlined, browser-based ERD editor. It's lightweight but powerful.

  • Zero install. Runs on Mac, Windows, Linux.
  • Real-time multi-user editing.
  • Export to images, PDF, or embed in web.
Web ERD Editor

Which Tool Fits Your Needs?

Compare key features between VP Desktop and VP Online

Feature VP Desktop VP Online
ERD Modeling (Standard & Chen) -
ERD Diagramming (Standard & Chen) Access via Integration*
Reverse Engineering (DB to ERD) -
DB Modeler AI (GenAI App) Access via Integration*
Forward Engineering (DDL) Via DB Modeler AI
Offline Mode -

* Users with VP Desktop Professional/Enterprise + Maintenance get access to VP Online features inside the desktop client.

More Than Just Database Design

Visual Paradigm is an all-in-one Enterprise Transformation Suite. From UML modeling and Agile project management to Enterprise Architecture and Business Process mapping.

Explore All Solutions

Comprehensive Database Modeling Software Solutions

Visual Paradigm offers a dual-approach to data management, catering to both traditional engineering workflows and modern agile development. As a premier database design tool, Visual Paradigm Desktop provides robust capabilities for enterprise architects, including complex ERD modeling, reverse engineering of legacy systems, and precise code generation.

For teams seeking cloud agility, Visual Paradigm Online serves as an accessible ERD tool and database modeling software. With the revolutionary DB Modeler AI and AI Chatbot, it acts as an intelligent data design software assistant, transforming plain text requirements into normalized database schemas and live prototypes instantly. Whether you need a powerful erd modeler for offline work or a collaborative platform for rapid prototyping, Visual Paradigm has the solution.