This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them

Period

–Visits

–Page views

–Clicks to vendors

–Time on page

–Reading now

Clicks to vendors, by tool

Top countries

Devices

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Best A5:SQL Mk-2 Alternatives in 2026

Free#30 of 34 in Database Design ToolsDatabase Client Software

The top A5:SQL Mk-2 alternatives are DbSchema, SqlDBM and Hackolade Studio: 15 database design tools our editors would look at instead of A5:SQL Mk-2, in our ranking order.

6.4/10Editor score

Visit A5:SQL Mk-2

A5:SQL Mk-26.4 Visit A5:SQL Mk-2

15 alternatives
Updated Oct 2026
Our A5:SQL Mk-2 verdict

A5:SQL Mk-2: A Windows desktop tool pairing SQL work and data editing with ER diagrams. Where it falls short: windows desktop deployment limits platform fit.

Switching from A5:SQL Mk-2? For most database design tools buyers the best A5:SQL Mk-2 alternative is DbSchema, built for broad, cross-platform database modeling. On a budget, WorksCove ERD starts at $10/mo.

Why People Look for an A5:SQL Mk-2 Alternative

Windows desktop deployment limits platform fit
Its stated diagram feature set centers on creation and reverse generation
AI assistance depends on external AI service APIs

Quick Picks by What You Need

Best overallDbSchema9.4
Broad, cross-platform database modeling
Visit DbSchema
Lowest priceWorksCove ERD8.7
Paid plans from $10/mo
Visit WorksCove ERD
Best free optionDbSchema9.4
Has a free plan
Visit DbSchema

All 15 A5:SQL Mk-2 Alternatives, Ranked

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

1
DbSchema
Best forBroad, cross-platform database modeling
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.4
A broad cross-platform modeler for database design, migration, documentation, and review.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan · 15-day trial Our DbSchema verdict → Visit DbSchema
9.4/10★★★★★
Visit DbSchema
2
SqlDBM
Best forCollaborative analytics and warehouse modeling
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.4
A broad modeling workspace for teams aligning schemas, warehouses, lineage, and documentation.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Pricing on request Our SqlDBM verdict → Visit SqlDBM
9.2/10★★★★★
Visit SqlDBM
3
Hackolade Studio
Best forMulti-model enterprise data architecture
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.4
A broad modeling workspace for teams managing complex, multi-model data architecture.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Hackolade Studio verdict → Visit Hackolade
9.1/10★★★★★
Visit Hackolade
4
drawDB
Best forOpen-source teams wanting self-hosted ER modeling
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.4
A capable ER modeling tool for open-source teams that need local control and flexible exports.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan Our drawDB verdict → Visit drawDB
9.0/10★★★★☆
Visit drawDB
5
ERBuilder Data Modeler
Best forProfessional Windows database modeling
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.4
A feature-rich Windows modeler with flexible licensing and a free plan.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan · 15-day trial Our ERBuilder Data Modeler verdict → Visit ERBuilder
8.9/10★★★★☆
Visit ERBuilder
6
DB Designer
Best forAffordable collaborative web modeling
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.4
Affordable web-based modeling with collaboration, version history, and SQL workflows.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan Our DB Designer verdict → Visit DB Designer
8.8/10★★★★☆
Visit DB Designer
7
WorksCove ERD
Best forAffordable teams wanting validation and history
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.4
Affordable browser-based database modeling with validation, history, and collaboration.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan · 30-day trial Our WorksCove ERD verdict → Visit WorksCove ERD
8.7/10★★★★☆
Visit WorksCove ERD
8
dbdiagram.io
Best forWeb-based diagramming and documentation
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.4
A focused, accessible choice for DBML-based schema diagrams and documentation.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan · 7-day trial Our dbdiagram.io verdict → Visit dbdiagram.io
8.6/10★★★★☆
Visit dbdiagram.io
9
ChartDB
Best forCollaborative teams needing flexible deployment
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.4
A flexible database design workspace with import, export, collaboration, and self-hosting.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan Our ChartDB verdict → Visit ChartDB
8.5/10★★★★☆
Visit ChartDB
10
DBModeler
Best forFree web modeling across many database engines
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.4
A free web modeler with broad engine coverage and strong SQL workflow features.
- Version history
- Reverse engineering
- Forward engineering
Free plan Our DBModeler verdict → Visit DBModeler
8.4/10★★★★☆
Visit DBModeler
11
DrawSQL
Best forCollaborative teams modeling common SQL databases
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.4
A collaborative schema design tool with strong SQL workflows and four supported database systems.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Free plan Our DrawSQL verdict → Visit DrawSQL
8.3/10★★★★☆
Visit DrawSQL
12
Navicat Data Modeler
Best forCross-platform teams needing broad model types
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.4
A broad cross-platform modeler whose $1,299 perpetual license limits its value.
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
- Forward engineering
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Navicat Data Modeler verdict → Visit Navicat
8.2/10★★★★☆
Visit Navicat
13
Redgate Data Modeler
Best forTeams wanting collaborative web modeling
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.4
A web modeling workspace with reverse engineering, validation, collaboration, and SQL generation.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
14-day trial Our Redgate Data Modeler verdict → Visit Redgate
8.1/10★★★★☆
Visit Redgate
14
DeZign for Databases
Best forMature Windows modeling with traditional engineering
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.4
A mature Windows desktop modeler for designing, comparing, documenting, and generating database schemas.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
14-day trial Our DeZign for Databases verdict → Visit DeZign
8.0/10★★★★☆
Visit DeZign
15
Quest Data Modeler
Best forEnterprise teams modeling modern data platforms
- Better than A5:SQL Mk-2:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.4
A collaboration-focused modeler for teams designing and governing modern data platforms.
- Version history
- Team collaboration
- Reverse engineering
Pricing on request Our Quest Data Modeler verdict → Visit Quest Modeler
7.9/10★★★★☆
Visit Quest Modeler

A5:SQL Mk-2 Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to A5:SQL Mk-2?

DbSchema: #1 in our Database Design Tools ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad cross-platform modeler for database design, migration, documentation, and review.

Is there a free alternative to A5:SQL Mk-2?

Yes. DbSchema, Hackolade Studio, drawDB, ERBuilder Data Modeler and DB Designer have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

What is the cheapest paid alternative to A5:SQL Mk-2?

Of the alternatives here that publish a price, WorksCove ERD starts lowest, at $10/mo.

Why do people look for A5:SQL Mk-2 alternatives?

Windows desktop deployment limits platform fit; Its stated diagram feature set centers on creation and reverse generation; AI assistance depends on external AI service APIs.

How do I switch from A5:SQL Mk-2?

Export your data from A5:SQL Mk-2 (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel A5:SQL Mk-2.

How to Switch from A5:SQL Mk-2

Export your data from A5:SQL Mk-2 (most tools have an export in their settings).
Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel A5:SQL Mk-2.

A5:SQL Mk-2 vs Each Alternative

#	Tool	Free plan	Paid from	Reverse engineering	Forward engineering	SQL export	Supported databases	Score
30	A5:SQL Mk-2	Yes	Free					6.4
1	DbSchema	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	Access, Amazon Athena, Amazon Timestream, Apache Drill, Apache Druid, Apache Ignite, Apache Pinot, Apache Solr, Aurora MySQL, Aurora PostgreSQL, Azure Synapse, Azure SQL, Cache, Cassandra, ClickHouse, Cockroach, Couchbase, CrateDB, CSV Files, CTreeAce, CUBRID, DaffodilDb, Databricks, Dataverse, Db2, DBF/FoxPro/xBase, Derby, DocumentDB, Dremio, DuckDB, DynamoDB, Elasticsearch, EnterpriseDB, Exasol, Fabric Lakehouse, FileMaker, Firebird, Firebolt, FrontBase, Google AlloyDB, Google BigQuery, Google Cloud Spanner, Greenplum, H2, HBase, Hive, Hologres, HSQL, Impala, InfluxDB, Informix, Ingres, Interbase, JDataStore, Kafka, MariaDB, MarkLogic, MemSQL, Mimer, MonetDB, MongoDB, MySQL, Neo4j, Neon, NuoDB, Oracle, OrientDB, Pervasive, PlanetScale, PointBase, PostgreSQL, QuestDB, Redis, Redshift, Salesforce, SAP Adaptive Server, SAP HANA, SAP MaxDB, ScyllaDB, SingleStore, SnappyData, Snowflake, SQL Anywhere, SQLBase, SQLite, SQL Server, Starburst, Supabase, TarantoolDB, Teradata, ThoughtSpot, Tibero, TiDB, TimescaleDB, Transbase, Trino, Vertica, VoltDB, Xata, Yellowbrick, YugabyteDB	9.4
2	SqlDBM			Yes	Yes	Yes	Snowflake, Azure Synapse, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, AlloyDB, Databricks, BigQuery, Amazon Redshift, Oracle, MySQL, Teradata	9.2
3	Hackolade Studio	Yes	€1,750/seat/yr	Yes	Yes	Yes	Google BigQuery, Cassandra, Couchbase, Cosmos DB, Databricks, DocumentDB, DynamoDB, Elasticsearch, HBase, Hive, MariaDB, MarkLogic, MongoDB, MySQL, Neo4j, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Redshift, ScyllaDB, Snowflake, SQL Server, Synapse Analytics, Teradata, TinkerPop, YugabyteDB	9.1
4	drawDB	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, generic dialect	9.0
5	ERBuilder Data Modeler	Yes	$139/user/yr	Yes	Yes	Yes	Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Firebird, Microsoft Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Dedicated SQL Pool, Amazon Redshift, Amazon RDS	8.9
6	DB Designer	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQLite	8.8
7	WorksCove ERD	Yes	$10/mo	Yes	Yes	Yes	MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server	8.7
8	dbdiagram.io	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	PostgreSQL, MySQL, MSSQL (SQL Server), Oracle, Snowflake, BigQuery	8.6
9	ChartDB	Yes	$25/user/mo	Yes	Yes	Yes	PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MariaDB, SQLite, Cloudflare D1, CockroachDB, ClickHouse	8.5
10	DBModeler	Yes	Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, SQLite, IBM Db2, Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, CockroachDB, YugabyteDB, TiDB, DuckDB	8.4
11	DrawSQL	Yes	$171/yr	Yes	Yes	Yes	MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MariaDB	8.3
12	Navicat Data Modeler	Yes	$1,299 one-time	Yes	Yes	Yes	MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, Snowflake	8.2
13	Redgate Data Modeler	No	$189/user/yr	Yes	Yes	Yes	PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, SQLite, IBM Db2, HSQLDB, Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, Snowflake	8.1
14	DeZign for Databases	No	€19/user/mo	Yes	Yes	Yes	dBase, DBISAM, Firebird, FoxPro, Google BigQuery, IBM DB2, InterBase, Informix, MS Access, Azure SQL, MS SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Paradox, Pervasive, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, SQLite, Sybase ASE	8.0
15	Quest Data Modeler	No		Yes	Yes	Yes	Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric Warehouse, Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse, PostgreSQL 16, Google BigQuery	7.9

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update