Stripe's pg-schema-diff is the gold-standard PostgreSQL schema diff library. But it requires Go, a live database connection, and terminal fluency. SchemaLens works in any browser with zero setup. Here's how they compare.
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How SchemaLens stacks up against Stripe's pg-schema-diff.
| Feature | SchemaLens | pg-schema-diff |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free tier + $39 Lifetime Pro | Free (open source) |
| Visual diff | ✅ Rich HTML with color coding | ❌ Terminal text / JSON |
| Runs in browser | ✅ Yes — zero install | ❌ Go binary required |
| PostgreSQL | ✅ Full support | ✅ Full support (specialized) |
| MySQL / MariaDB | ✅ Full support | ❌ Not supported |
| SQLite | ✅ Full support | ❌ Not supported |
| SQL Server | ✅ Full support | ❌ Not supported |
| Oracle | ✅ Full support | ❌ Not supported |
| Needs live DB connection | ❌ No — paste SQL dumps | ✅ Yes — DSN required |
| Shareable links | ✅ URL + public links | ❌ No |
| Export formats | SQL, Markdown, PDF, JSON | SQL only |
| Breaking change detection | ✅ Built-in with warnings | ✅ Hazard system |
| Online index replacement | ✅ Supported | ✅ Native support |
| CI/CD templates | ✅ GitHub + GitLab + Bitbucket | ⚠️ Script yourself |
| REST API | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Privacy | ✅ 100% client-side | ✅ Local (needs DB access) |
SchemaLens opens in any browser. Paste two SQL dumps, click Compare, get a color-coded diff. No Go toolchain, no database connection, no environment variables.
pg-schema-diff requires Go, compilation, and a live PostgreSQL DSN. You run commands in the terminal and read plain-text output. Powerful, but not accessible to every team member.
SchemaLens generates shareable URLs and public links. Send a diff to a teammate in Slack and they see the exact same visual output — no setup required on their end.
pg-schema-diff outputs text to stdout. Sharing means copying terminal output into a gist or pasting into a PR comment — losing all visual context and requiring the reader to parse SQL mentally.
SchemaLens lets you experiment instantly. Load sample schemas, modify them, and see results in real time. Perfect for learning SQL migrations or evaluating schema changes before touching production.
pg-schema-diff is designed for automation, not exploration. Every change requires re-running a command against a live database and re-reading output.
SchemaLens runs entirely in the browser. Your schema never touches a server and no database connection is required. Ideal for HIPAA, SOX, and air-gapped networks.
pg-schema-diff requires a live database connection. In regulated environments, granting a CI tool direct database access requires security review and may be prohibited.
SchemaLens supports 5 dialects from one interface. Compare a MySQL dump against a PostgreSQL dump to plan a migration, or audit SQLite schemas side-by-side.
pg-schema-diff is PostgreSQL-only. If your organization runs multiple database engines, you need additional tools for each one.
SchemaLens highlights breaking changes with color-coded risk pills. Dropped columns, removed indexes, and type changes that could cause data loss are flagged before you run anything.
pg-schema-diff has an advanced hazard system that annotates risky migrations with detailed warnings. This is one of its standout features and excellent for production safety.
Use SchemaLens for visual exploration, cross-dialect comparisons, and sharing. Use pg-schema-diff in your PostgreSQL CI/CD pipeline for deep hazard analysis. No compromise.
Compare Schemas FreeFree for up to 15 tables. Lifetime Pro — $39 once.