Top Entity Developer Alternatives for Streamlined ORM Design
Entity Developer is a powerful ORM designer known for its robust features in handling ADO.NET Entity Framework, NHibernate, LinqConnect, Telerik Data Access, and LINQ to SQL. It allows developers to create and manage ORM models visually, supporting both Model-First and Database-First approaches. While Entity Developer is a highly capable tool, many developers seek alternatives for various reasons, including specific feature needs, platform compatibility, or pricing. This guide explores the best Entity Developer alternative options available to help you find the perfect fit for your ORM design and code generation needs.
Top Entity Developer Alternatives
Whether you're looking for different ORM framework support, specific platform availability, or a unique feature set, these alternatives offer compelling solutions for your development workflow.
Skipper
Skipper, formerly known as ORM Designer, is a commercial visualization tool and code generator that supports popular ORM frameworks like Doctrine ORM, Doctrine2 ORM, Propel ORM, and CakePHP. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux, making it a versatile Entity Developer alternative for cross-platform teams. Key features include Definitions, Documentation, ER Diagrams, Object Relational Mapping, and Php support, offering a comprehensive solution for ORM design and code generation.
LinqConnect Professional
LinqConnect Professional is a commercial ORM solution compatible with LINQ to SQL, offering extended functionality and support for various databases including SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. This Windows-based alternative to Entity Developer features robust Object Relational Mapping capabilities and seamless Visual Studio integration, making it an excellent choice for .NET developers looking for a familiar and powerful environment.
LLBLGen Pro
LLBLGen Pro is a commercial O/R mapping framework that generates complete data-access and business objects tiers for multiple target frameworks in C# or VB.NET. Running on Windows, this powerful Entity Developer alternative focuses heavily on Code Generation, providing developers with highly optimized and flexible code for their database applications. Its robust O/R mapping technology makes it a strong contender for complex projects requiring customizability and performance.
Huagati DBML/EDMX Tools
Huagati DBML/EDMX Tools is a commercial add-in for Microsoft Visual Studio, running on Windows. While it doesn't boast a long list of features, its core strength lies in automating repetitive tasks, particularly synchronizing Linq-to-SQL models with their underlying databases. This tool is a valuable Entity Developer alternative for developers who frequently need to keep their ORM models up-to-date with database schema changes, saving significant development time.
Choosing the right Entity Developer alternative depends on your specific project requirements, preferred ORM frameworks, platform needs, and budget. Each of these tools offers unique strengths, from cross-platform compatibility and extensive ORM support to specialized code generation and synchronization capabilities. Explore these options to find the best fit that enhances your development workflow and productivity.