How to Compare Database Schemas Before Deploying
A step-by-step workflow for catching schema drift between staging and production.
Paste two sqlite3 .schema outputs. Spot every table, column, index, and constraint change instantly. Get ready-to-run migration notes for SQLite — all in your browser.
No account required. No data leaves your device.
SchemaLens understands SQLite's unique limitations and generates honest migration guidance.
SQLite can't drop columns or alter types natively. SchemaLens generates clear workarounds: rename → create → copy → drop.
Understands SQLite's flexible type system (INTEGER, REAL, TEXT, BLOB, NUMERIC) and warns about meaningful type changes.
Primary keys, unique constraints, foreign keys, CHECK constraints, and indexes — all compared semantically, not by raw text.
Handles backtick-quoted identifiers and double-quoted names exactly like SQLite does.
Recognizes INTEGER PRIMARY KEY auto-increment behavior and warns when rowid semantics change.
Your schema never leaves the browser. Compare local SQLite schemas safely without uploading to any server.
Run sqlite3 db.sqlite ".schema" > schema.sql on both databases.
Copy the SQL into the two editor panes. Dialect is automatically set to SQLite.
See added tables, dropped columns, type changes, and constraint modifications highlighted in color.
Export migration notes, save as Markdown, PDF, or raw SQL. SQLite workarounds included where native ALTER isn't possible.
SchemaLens generates honest guidance for SQLite's limited ALTER TABLE support.
ALTER TABLE users
ADD COLUMN bio TEXT;
-- SQLite does not support DROP COLUMN directly.
-- Workaround: create new table without column,
-- migrate data, drop old table, rename new table.
ALTER TABLE old_users
RENAME TO users;
-- SQLite does not support ADD CONSTRAINT on existing tables.
-- Workaround: create new table with FK, migrate data,
-- drop old table, rename new table.
A step-by-step workflow for catching schema drift between staging and production.
8 practical differences that trip up developers switching between databases.
Learn how to catch dropped columns, missing indexes, and type changes before they cause incidents.
Join thousands of developers who use SchemaLens to catch schema changes before they hit production.
Start Comparing FreeFree for up to 10 tables. Pro starts at $12/mo.