db-migrate
db-migrate: A focused Node.js tool for incremental migrations, reversals, and SQL generation. Ranked #31 of 32 in Database Migration Tools by our editors (5.8/10); pricing: Open source; best for node.js teams needing basic migration execution.
At a glance
- Editor score5.8 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forNode.js teams needing basic migration execution
- Paid fromFree
- Rollback supportYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- CLI and programmatic Node.js API support migration execution
- Up/down workflows support applying and reversing migrations
- JavaScript, promise-based, and SQL-backed migration files
Where it doesn't
- Primarily suited to Node.js development workflows
- Database connections require user configuration
- Platform and integration coverage is relatively narrow
Our verdict on db-migrate
db-migrate is an open-source command-line tool and Node.js module for managing database schema migrations. It is aimed at Node.js teams that need a focused way to create migration files, apply them incrementally, track migration status, and reverse changes. Migrations can use JavaScript, promise-based JavaScript, or SQL-backed files, while the programmatic Node.js API supports integration into application workflows. The project is self-hosted and distributed under the MIT License.
Its migration workflow covers the core operational steps without adding a paid-plan structure. The CLI can execute migrations up or down, record applied migrations in a database table, and provide dry-run SQL output. Incremental execution helps apply only migrations that have not yet run, while reversal support gives teams a defined way to move backward. This feature set makes db-migrate a practical fit for projects that want migration control inside a Node.js-oriented development process rather than a broad database operations suite.
Database support includes documented drivers for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB, and CockroachDB, giving the tool coverage across relational and document-oriented systems. Its mixed migration format is useful when teams need both JavaScript logic and SQL files, but the overall workflow remains centered on Node.js, the CLI, and user-configured databases. Choose db-migrate when open-source ownership, basic migration execution, status tracking, dry-run SQL, and up/down workflows are the priority. Teams seeking a wider platform or integration ecosystem should consider a tool with broader verified coverage.
Your product? Our editors can test db-migrate in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
db-migrate pricing
db-migrate fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Rollback support | Yes |
| Schema diff | Not verified |
| CI/CD automation | Not verified |
| Supported databases | Not verified |
| Drift detection | Not verified |
| Self-hosted option | Yes |
| Migration format | Mixed |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Docs |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to db-migrate
- FlywayA broad migration platform with free core commands and deeper controls in paid editions.9.4
- AtlasAffordable schema automation with strong migration controls and CI/CD support.9.2
- LiquibaseA governed migration workflow with changelogs, rollback, drift detection, and a free tier.9.1
See all db-migrate alternatives →
Used db-migrate? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used db-migrate for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
db-migrate is listed in our Database Migration Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/db-migrate/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/db-migrate.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update