apgdiff, migra, and schemalex are powerful CLI tools. But sometimes you need a visual diff, a shareable link, or a tool that works on a locked-down machine. Here's how they compare.
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How SchemaLens stacks up against the most popular open-source CLI schema diff tools.
| Feature | SchemaLens | migra | apgdiff | schemalex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free tier + $12/mo Pro | Free (open source) | Free (open source) | Free (open source) |
| Visual diff | ✅ Rich HTML | ❌ Terminal text | ❌ Terminal text | ❌ Terminal text |
| Runs in browser | ✅ Yes — zero install | ❌ pip install | ❌ Java binary | ❌ Go binary |
| PostgreSQL | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | ✅ Full |
| MySQL | ✅ Full | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| SQLite | ✅ Full | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| SQL Server | ✅ Full | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Oracle | ✅ Full | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Shareable links | ✅ URL + public links | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Export formats | SQL, Markdown, PDF, JSON | SQL only | SQL only | SQL only |
| Breaking change detection | ✅ Built-in | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| CI/CD templates | ✅ GitHub + GitLab + Bitbucket | ⚠️ Script yourself | ⚠️ Script yourself | ⚠️ Script yourself |
| REST API | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Privacy | ✅ 100% client-side | ✅ Local | ✅ Local | ✅ Local |
SchemaLens opens in any browser. Paste two SQL dumps, click Compare, get a color-coded diff. No dependencies, no environment setup.
migra requires Python and pip. You need to understand PostgreSQL connection strings and Python environments.
apgdiff needs a Java runtime. It's reliable but the output is plain text that you must read carefully.
schemalex is a Go binary. Fast and lightweight, but requires manual download and terminal familiarity.
SchemaLens generates shareable URLs and public links. Send a diff to a teammate in Slack and they see the exact same visual output.
CLI tools output text to stdout. Sharing means copying terminal output into a gist or pasting into a PR comment — losing all visual context.
SchemaLens lets you experiment instantly. Load sample schemas, modify them, and see results in real time. Perfect for learning SQL migrations.
CLI tools are designed for automation, not exploration. Every change requires re-running a command and re-reading output.
SchemaLens runs entirely in the browser. Your schema never touches a server. Ideal for HIPAA, SOX, and air-gapped networks.
CLI tools also run locally, but they require installation privileges that locked-down enterprise machines may not grant.
SchemaLens supports 5 dialects from one interface. Compare a MySQL dump against a PostgreSQL dump to plan a migration.
migra, apgdiff, schemalex are all PostgreSQL-only. If you work with multiple databases, you need multiple tools.
SchemaLens provides a CLI, REST API, and pre-built CI/CD templates. Use the browser for exploration, the API for automation.
CLI tools are purpose-built for automation. They're faster and lighter for pure headless diffing in pipelines.
It depends on your workflow. CLI tools like migra and apgdiff are excellent for automation and CI/CD pipelines. SchemaLens is better for quick visual diffs, sharing results with teammates, and when you can't install software. Many teams use both.
Absolutely. Use SchemaLens for visual exploration and sharing diffs with stakeholders. Export the migration SQL and feed it into migra or your existing migration pipeline for production deployment.
SchemaLens supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, SQL Server, and Oracle in a single interface. Unlike apgdiff (PostgreSQL only) or migra (PostgreSQL only), you can diff schemas across different dialects.
For pure CI/CD, migra and schemalex are lightweight and fast. SchemaLens also offers a zero-dependency CLI, GitHub Actions templates, and a REST API — giving you both visual and automated diffing in one platform.
Use SchemaLens for visual exploration and sharing. Export the SQL for your CLI pipeline. No compromise.
Compare Schemas FreeFree for up to 10 tables. Pro starts at $12/mo.