Head-to-head · Data Modeling Software

Navicat Data Modeler vs MySQL

Updated Nov 2026
Both researched from official sources
3 checks side by side

Higher score Navicat Data Modeler #2 in Data Modeling Software 8.7/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Navicat

MySQL #7 in Data Modeling Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit MySQL

Navicat Data Modeler leads on 0 checks, MySQL on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scoreNavicat Data Modeler · 8.7/10
Free planboth
Free trialonly Navicat Data Modeler
Most featuresNavicat Data Modeler · 2 of 3

Navicat Data Modeler scores higher on our rubric for data modeling software: 8.7 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Navicat Data Modeler is the better fit for established buyers wanting broad desktop data modeling. MySQL is the better fit for mySQL users needing database design and administration.

Navicat Data Modeler fits best
Established buyers wanting broad desktop data modeling
MySQL fits best
MySQL users needing database design and administration

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	Navicat Data Modeler 8.7/10 Visit ↗	MySQL 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	7.9
Ranking	#2 in Data Modeling Software	#7 in Data Modeling Software
Best for	Established buyers wanting broad desktop data modeling	MySQL users needing database design and administration
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$1,299 one-time	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	2 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Navicat Data Modeler 2/3 · MySQL 0/3
Reverse engineering	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Forward engineering	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Version history	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Database engines	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Deployment	Desktop	Not checked yet
Export formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Build conceptual, logical, and physical data models with ER notations. Reverse engineer databases and forward engineer or synchronize schemas. Work on Windows, macOS, or Linux, with Navicat Cloud collaboration.	Free GPL Community Edition includes SQL and NoSQL capabilities. Replication, failover and InnoDB Cluster support high availability. MySQL Workbench supports administration and SQL development.
Cons	The Enterprise Perpetual License costs $1,299 per license. The free Lite edition has limited modeling capabilities. Database coverage is narrower than some alternatives.	Its described feature set centers on database operations, not modeling workflows. Commercial editions involve licensing and may require sales engagement. Support channels include community and documentation; 24/7 support is also listed.
Our verdict	Navicat Data Modeler is desktop software for designing conceptual, logical, and physical database models. It suits teams and individual practitioners who need to move between visual schema design and existing database structures, from solo… Read the review →	MySQL is a relational database management system for developers, applications and organizations that need SQL or NoSQL capabilities. It suits teams choosing between self-managed installations and cloud deployments, with MySQL Workbench… Read the review →

Navicat Data ModelerData Modeling Software 8.7Free plan · 14-day trial
MySQLData Modeling Software 7.9Free plan

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Strengths and trade-offs

Navicat Data Modeler — where it wins
- Build conceptual, logical, and physical data models with ER notations.
- Reverse engineer databases and forward engineer or synchronize schemas.
- Work on Windows, macOS, or Linux, with Navicat Cloud collaboration.
Where it doesn't
- The Enterprise Perpetual License costs $1,299 per license.
- The free Lite edition has limited modeling capabilities.
- Database coverage is narrower than some alternatives.
MySQL — where it wins
- Free GPL Community Edition includes SQL and NoSQL capabilities.
- Replication, failover and InnoDB Cluster support high availability.
- MySQL Workbench supports administration and SQL development.
Where it doesn't
- Its described feature set centers on database operations, not modeling workflows.
- Commercial editions involve licensing and may require sales engagement.
- Support channels include community and documentation; 24/7 support is also listed.

Navicat Data Modeler8.7/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
Broad desktop modeling with engineering and synchronization tools, plus a costly perpetual license.
Visit Navicat Full verdict →
MySQL7.9/10 · Free plan
A flexible database platform for MySQL users, with Workbench for administration and SQL development.
Visit MySQL Full verdict →