DB-MAIN review
A deep, cross-platform modeling toolkit for rigorous schema design and analysis.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
DB-MAIN is a free desktop CASE tool from REVER S.A. for database application engineering, aimed at people who need to design, inspect, transform, and maintain schemas. It supports conceptual, logical, and physical database design, with ER and UML class diagram representations. Its scope reaches beyond drawing schemas: it includes schema integration, normalization, quality evaluation, mapping, and analysis, as well as code analysis such as dependency graphs and program slicing. That breadth makes it a fit for solo users and small or mid-market teams doing rigorous modeling work, rather than buyers looking primarily for a collaborative hosted service.
The engineering workflow is the clearest strength. DB-MAIN can reverse-engineer source files into schemas, including SQL and other listed sources, and generate DDL from physical schemas. The supported database-engine and source list includes Oracle, DB2, CODASYL, COBOL, XML, SQL, Access, Firebird, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. Schema transformation and integration can help when a project involves reconciling or evolving structures, while normalization and quality evaluation address design analysis. Exports include ISL, XML, DDL, SQL, and DocBook. This makes it more suitable for technically demanding schema work than for users seeking only a simple diagramming canvas.
According to the vendor's official site, DB-MAIN is free of charge and not sold, and it is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. That combination is appealing when a downloadable desktop tool is acceptable and budget matters. The trade-off is fit: desktop deployment and integrations that are not listed may make it less attractive to teams prioritizing shared cloud workflows or a documented connected ecosystem. It is also not positioned around AI features. Choose DB-MAIN for deep modeling and reverse-engineering capabilities at no software cost; consider alternatives if hosted collaboration or explicit integrations are central requirements.
DB-MAIN pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Covers conceptual, logical, and physical database design.
- Reverse-engineers source files and generates DDL from physical schemas.
- Includes normalization, schema transformation, and quality evaluation.
- Where it doesn't
- Desktop deployment may not suit teams seeking a hosted modeling tool.
- No AI features are listed.
- Integrations are not listed.
DB-MAIN fact sheet, pricing and score →
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