brmodelo-app
BRMW is a free, open-source web-based tool for designing entity-relationship diagrams and relational database models. It targets educators and students learning database design, with a live instance at app.brmodeloweb.com and an active v2 migration underway to modernize the codebase.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | brmodeloweb/brmodelo-app |
| Owner | brmodeloweb |
| Primary language | JavaScript |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.7k |
| Forks | 65 |
| Open issues | 35 |
| Latest release | v0.3.3 (2025-04-29) |
| Last updated | 2026-06-30 |
| Source | https://github.com/brmodeloweb/brmodelo-app |
What brmodelo-app is
JavaScript/Node.js application currently migrating from AngularJS to React, backed by MongoDB. The v0.3.3 stable release is available; the repository is temporarily out of sync during the v2 migration, which will include NoSQL modeling support and a rewritten editor suite.
Get the brmodelo-app source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/brmodeloweb/brmodelo-app.gitcd brmodelo-app# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Node.js 20.x + Yarn 1.x required; MongoDB Community Edition 4.x is a hard dependency for local deployment.
- Docker Compose available but explicitly noted as suboptimal for development experience; local setup recommended.
- Repository is currently frozen for external contributions due to v2 migration; plan for either using stable v0.3.3 or waiting for migration completion.
- E2E tests (Cypress) and unit tests present; test account credentials required for E2E runs, which wipes test data.
- Frontend starts independently (`yarn start:frontend` on a dev server); backend API runs separately (`yarn start:dev`), typical Node + MongoDB pattern.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Production Enterprise Modeling — Not designed for large-scale, mission-critical database design. Lacks advanced features (constraints, DDL generation, reverse-engineering) expected in tools like Lucidchart or ER/Studio.
- Requiring Immediate, Stable Code — Repository is actively out-of-sync during v2 migration. External contributions currently not accepted. Deployment from source is risky until migration completes.
- Mandating Commercial Support — Community-driven open-source project with no commercial support offerings, SLAs, or guaranteed responsiveness documented.
- Data Privacy / On-Premises Enforcement — Hosted at app.brmodeloweb.com; local deployment requires self-managed MongoDB. No explicit data retention, encryption-in-transit, or compliance certifications stated.
License & commercial use
Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0). Permissive OSI-approved license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with attribution. No patent clause applies. License ID is explicitly stated and unambiguous.
Apache-2.0 permits commercial use, including embedding, modification, and redistribution. However, this is an educational/learning tool with limited enterprise features; commercial viability depends on business model (SaaS hosting, premium features, consulting). No commercial support, warranty, or liability indemnity is stated. Organizations should review internal risk tolerance for open-source tool adoption.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Possible |
| Assessment confidence | Medium |
No explicit security audit, threat model, or compliance certifications documented. Considerations: (1) MongoDB 4.x is EOL (end-of-life)—upgrade path unclear. (2) No mention of authentication encryption, CORS policy, or rate limiting. (3) E2E tests wipe user accounts—understand data handling. (4) Self-hosted deployments inherit system admin responsibilities. (5) Hosted app at app.brmodeloweb.com—inspect privacy policy and TLS separately. (6) No disclosed vulnerability disclosure process.
Alternatives to consider
Lucidchart
Commercial SaaS with advanced ER modeling, DDL generation, reverse-engineering, and enterprise support. Higher cost; better for production use.
dbdiagram.io
Free web-based ER diagram tool with SQL DDL export, team collaboration, and modern UX. Lighter-weight alternative; no local hosting.
MySQL Workbench / pgAdmin
Database-native modeling tools (MySQL/PostgreSQL). Integrate with live databases; richer DBA features. Steeper learning curve for students.
Build on brmodelo-app with DEV.co software developers
BRMW is a cost-free, open-source solution for teaching and rapid ER modeling. Verify v2 migration status, test locally or via app.brmodeloweb.com, and assess your data privacy and feature requirements before adoption.
Talk to DEV.coRelated on DEV.co
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brmodelo-app FAQ
Can I use BRMW in production?
Is the source code stable for self-hosting?
What versions of Node.js and MongoDB are required?
Does BRMW have a commercial support or SLA?
Work with a software development agency
From first prototype to production, DEV.co delivers software development services around tools like brmodelo-app. Our software development agency staffs experienced software developers and web developers for custom software development, web development, integrations, and ongoing support across open-source databases and beyond.
Evaluate BRMW for Your Educational or Prototyping Needs
BRMW is a cost-free, open-source solution for teaching and rapid ER modeling. Verify v2 migration status, test locally or via app.brmodeloweb.com, and assess your data privacy and feature requirements before adoption.