DataGrip is the gold standard for SQL editing. Its code inspection, intelligent completions, and database-aware refactoring are unmatched in the IDE space. But DataGrip is a SQL tool — its ER diagram view is a secondary feature for exploring existing schemas, not for designing new ones. Collaborative schema design, AI-driven table generation, and a structured change approval process are not what DataGrip was built to do.
ER Flow fills the gap between "what schema do we need" and "how do we get it deployed." The visual editor is the central interface — teams design schemas together in real-time, the AI accelerates the process, and the pending changes workflow ensures every modification is reviewed before landing in the model. When the design is ready, migration files for Laravel or Phinx are generated from checkpoint diffs.
ER Flow also includes a Database Manager that lets you connect to your database and run SELECT, INSERT, and UPDATE queries from inside the modeling tool. This is the bridge between design and validation — insert test data, verify your constraints, and run a few SELECT queries to make sure the schema supports your queries, all without leaving the tab where you designed it.
| Feature | ER Flow | DataGrip |
|---|---|---|
| Schema Design Interface | Purpose-built visual ER canvas — design new schemas from scratch collaboratively | ER diagram as a secondary view — reverse-engineers existing schemas, limited for design |
| AI Schema Generation | AI chat with schema tool-calling — generates tables, FK relationships, indexes from plain text | JetBrains AI for SQL completion and query assistance — not schema design |
| Real-Time Collaboration | Multiple engineers on the same diagram via CRDT WebSocket sync | No real-time collaboration — desktop IDE, single user |
| Database Manager | Connect and run SELECT / INSERT / UPDATE to validate schema against live data | Industry-leading SQL editor with deep inspection and execution plan analysis |
| Pricing | From $4.97/user/month — no IDE subscription or toolbox required | From $7.90/month individual — requires JetBrains subscription |
ER Flow is built for teams. Open the same diagram URL, and every team member sees changes live via WebSocket. DataGrip is a single-user IDE — collaboration means sharing files or scripts, not co-designing in real-time.
ER Flow's AI assistant reasons about relational schema design — creating tables, defining foreign key relationships, suggesting normalization improvements. DataGrip's AI helps write better SQL queries. Different tools for different problems.
ER Flow's Database Manager lets you connect to your database and run SELECT, INSERT, and UPDATE queries from inside the modeling tool. Design a table, populate it with test rows, validate the foreign key constraints — all in one tab.
ER Flow works in any browser. No IDE installation, no JetBrains Toolbox, no license management. Every engineer on the team — backend, frontend, data analyst — can contribute to the schema with zero setup.
Free to get started. No credit card required.