IBM Blueworks Live vs erwin Data Modeler comparison

Quest Software and IBM are both solutions in the Business Process Design category. Quest Software is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.4, while IBM is ranked #12 with an average rating of 7.3. Quest Software holds a 2.5% mindshare in BPD, compared to IBM’s 3.1% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Quest Software users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of IBM users who would recommend it.

erwin Data Modeler

Read 46 erwin Data Modeler reviews

5,210 Views
1,563 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

IBM Blueworks Live

Read 22 IBM Blueworks Live reviews

2,199 Views
1,913 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

erwin Data Modeler

IBM Blueworks Live

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 23, 2025

IBM Blueworks Live and erwin Data Modeler are tools designed for different facets of business management and data modelling. IBM Blueworks Live takes the lead with its real-time collaboration and cloud-based accessibility, while erwin Data Modeler excels in handling complex data models and engineering tasks, making it formidable for large-scale data management.

Features: IBM Blueworks Live's strengths lie in its real-time collaboration features that allow for workshops and easy process modeling, a central repository for importation of visual data, and its intuitive nature which supports process mapping and workflow automation. erwin Data Modeler is known for managing large data models with its robust visualization tools, comprehensive bulk editing capabilities, and the ability to perform forward and reverse engineering tasks efficiently.

Room for Improvement: IBM Blueworks Live could improve its reporting features and integrate more seamlessly with tools like Visio. Users also find its automatic placement of process elements occasionally confusing. erwin Data Modeler has been noted for technical issues including slow performance and potential model corruption, prompting demands for better big data integration and enhanced ease in its Compare functionality and cloud features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Blueworks Live's cloud-based nature allows for quick and easy deployment, and it generally provides high-quality, responsive support, though there are some reports of delayed issue resolution. Conversely, erwin Data Modeler's on-premises solutions can complicate deployment, though they offer thorough control over environments. It receives mixed reviews on technical support, particularly concerning integration with new data platforms.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Blueworks Live is praised for its cost-effectiveness and mid-range pricing, offering clear ROI in terms of time savings and process efficiency for businesses transitioning to digital processes. erwin Data Modeler, while powerful, is perceived as expensive, potentially limiting adoption. Though its licensing, such as concurrent licensing, offers flexibility, its cost can be prohibitive for smaller organizations.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Blueworks Live vs. erwin Data Modeler Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Blueworks Live vs. erwin Data Modeler

December 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

4.8

erwin Data Modeler improves productivity and efficiency with enhanced data management, governance, and automation, offering significant time savings.

Sentiment score

8.5

IBM Blueworks Live enhances productivity, reduces costs, and is preferred for its simplicity in business process management over competitors.

If three engineers save ten hours each per month using erwin Data Modeler versus manual modeling, that equals three hundred sixty hours saved per year.

Sushree Panigrahi

Snowflake Data Engineer| Senior PLSQL Developer |Data Modeler|Assitant Vice Pre at Jp Morgan Chase & Co.

It replaces manual charting in Visio with a structured tool, providing significant return on investment.

Anthony Woods

Data Architect at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees

If the modeling is compromised, then the entire structure will be compromised.

reviewer2795649

Senior Data Architect at a computer software company with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report

IBM Blueworks Live seems very easy to use compared to similar products on the market.

Ateeq Rehman

Unit Head System Implementor at Allied Bank Limited

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Blueworks Live report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

6.0

Erwin Data Modeler support is helpful and proactive, with minor delays; ratings are generally between seven to nine.

Sentiment score

8.3

IBM Blueworks Live support is responsive and competent, with quick resolutions and high user satisfaction, despite occasional delays.

The quality and speed of their support are excellent; everyone is very helpful, and they can solve problems quickly.

Yang Jiao

Senior Data Scientist at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

This rating reflects my ability to effectively utilize the tool and get support for licensing issues, installation errors, or corrupted repositories end-to-end.

Sushree Panigrahi

Snowflake Data Engineer| Senior PLSQL Developer |Data Modeler|Assitant Vice Pre at Jp Morgan Chase & Co.

Quest is committed to keeping the product robust.

Anthony Woods

Data Architect at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report

Support deserves a rating of nine out of ten.

Nupur Wadhwa

Consultant 2 at Protiviti

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Blueworks Live report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

6.5

Erwin Data Modeler is scalable, supporting multiple platforms, handling complex architectures, and suitable for cloud and on-premise use.

Sentiment score

7.7

IBM Blueworks Live is scalable and adaptable, though performance and cost challenges arise with increased user numbers.

I would rate it probably a nine, making it a leader in data modeling.

Anthony Woods

Data Architect at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees

erwin Data Modeler had a very good standardization infrastructure and supported a controlled multi-user environment with check-ins and check-outs.

Monisha Sharma

Data Metrics Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

Performance can degrade during larger collaborations and requires tuning for optimal performance.

Sushree Panigrahi

Snowflake Data Engineer| Senior PLSQL Developer |Data Modeler|Assitant Vice Pre at Jp Morgan Chase & Co.

For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report

IBM Blueworks Live is easily scalable, but it can be expensive to scale and there may be some limitations.

Nupur Wadhwa

Consultant 2 at Protiviti

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Blueworks Live report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

6.0

erwin Data Modeler is stable and reliable, but performance and memory issues can occur with large models and older versions.

Sentiment score

8.7

IBM Blueworks Live is praised for its reliable cloud version but may experience latency and glitches with connectivity issues.

This lack of an auto-save methodology can be improved so that if a system crash occurs, work can be saved and rework can be avoided.

Khadarvalli Phatan

Data Modeler at Capgemini

New versions often introduce enhanced features but may cause model crashes due to memory exhaustion.

Anthony Woods

Data Architect at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees

Sometimes when I want to open the attribute editor, it stops working and the whole application freezes.

Yang Jiao

Senior Data Scientist at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report

For the on-premise version, there aren't speed challenges, but sometimes the server goes down, preventing work.

Nupur Wadhwa

Consultant 2 at Protiviti

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Blueworks Live report

Room For Improvement

Erwin Data Modeler users seek improvements in user interface, big data support, API documentation, and broader database compatibility.

IBM Blueworks Live struggles with orchestration, lacks simulation and reporting features, and has limited compliance and deployment options.

The previous version of erwin Data Modeler used to crash unaccountably, but this one hasn't ever crashed on me, so it's been a lot more stable than the previous version that we had.

Alton Thibodeaux

Data Warehouse Architect at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees

There are many features, and I would expect good documentation detailing each feature, including when and how to use it, to be very useful because data modeling is not very popular in the data area and there aren't many educational videos regarding erwin Data Modeler.

Yang Jiao

Senior Data Scientist at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

Erwin Data Modeler could improve in areas such as the interface, as there are features like copy and paste, creating duplicates, and the visualization elements and toolbars which feel quite old.

Khadarvalli Phatan

Data Modeler at Capgemini

For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report

Normal business users or consultants cannot perform the installation as it requires extensive technical knowledge.

Nupur Wadhwa

Consultant 2 at Protiviti

I would prefer an on-premises solution for IBM Blueworks Live, and this could be a recommendation.

Ateeq Rehman

Unit Head System Implementor at Allied Bank Limited

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Blueworks Live report

Setup Cost

Erwin Data Modeler provides flexible licensing but can be costly compared to open-source alternatives, with moderate maintenance fees.

IBM Blueworks Live offers flexible, affordable pricing with scalable enterprise options, including minimal licensing costs and free subscriptions.

For a cloud or SaaS standard edition, it typically runs around two hundred to two hundred ninety-nine US dollars per month.

Sushree Panigrahi

Snowflake Data Engineer| Senior PLSQL Developer |Data Modeler|Assitant Vice Pre at Jp Morgan Chase & Co.

It is more targeted toward an enterprise level since organizations looking to store business information and relationship values may consider the pricing.

Khadarvalli Phatan

Data Modeler at Capgemini

For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Blueworks Live report

Valuable Features

Erwin Data Modeler enhances database management with visualization, version control, automation, and adaptability, fostering efficient collaboration and governance.

IBM Blueworks Live enhances efficiency with real-time modeling, BPMN compliance, intuitive collaboration, and excellent customer service for cloud-based access.

One of the key aspects of data governance is defining the data dictionary and clearly identifying which data is accessible by whom and what is not accessible, particularly regarding PII-related data.

Asish Sahu

SPM at Infosys

The way the data is organized and you have a visual of that organization helps a great deal in terms of trying to remember what you did and trying to retrieve the information.

Monisha Sharma

Data Metrics Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

One of the best aspects of the tool is its reverse engineering capability.

Anthony Woods

Data Architect at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report

IBM Blueworks Live provides clear ROI as it saves both time and money.

Nupur Wadhwa

Consultant 2 at Protiviti

IBM Blueworks Live helps improve operational efficiency, especially where requirements are uncertain and clarity is needed.

Ateeq Rehman

Unit Head System Implementor at Allied Bank Limited

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Blueworks Live report

Categories and Ranking

erwin Data Modeler

Ranking in Business Process Design

8th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

5.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Enterprise Architecture Management (2nd), Data Governance (15th)

IBM Blueworks Live

Ranking in Business Process Design

12th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Business Process Design category, the mindshare of erwin Data Modeler is 2.5%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Blueworks Live is 3.1%, down from 3.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Business Process Design Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
erwin Data Modeler	2.5%
IBM Blueworks Live	3.1%
Other	94.4%

Business Process Design

Featured Reviews

Sushree Panigrahi

Snowflake Data Engineer| Senior PLSQL Developer |Data Modeler|Assitant Vice Pre at Jp Morgan Chase & Co.

Data modeling has transformed regulatory reporting and collaboration across cloud environments

In erwin Data Modeler, areas that have room for improvement include performance improvements. I see that large models sometimes cause it to be slow when opening. Impact analysis can lag as well. Version control is another aspect. If we have developed a current version, it is not integrated with Git where we can easily compare different versions. UI modernization is also something we cannot utilize as it is primarily for development. Additionally, cloud-specific optimizations are needed when it comes to Snowflake or Databricks. When it comes to AI aspects, auto-suggestions for normalization or identifying primary, foreign, or surrogate keys are areas that can be improved.

Read full review

Nupur Wadhwa

Consultant 2 at Protiviti

Enables efficient process mapping but requires improvement in maintaining server stability

The pricing of the solution can be quite expensive when compared to competitors, though IBM Blueworks Live stands out from a technical standpoint. IBM Blueworks Live provides clear ROI as it saves both time and money. I have successfully imported Visio flowcharts into both IBM Blueworks Live and ARIS. Both tools handled the imports successfully, though some manual intervention was required because Visio is quite a basic tool. Importing flowcharts into advanced tools such as ARIS and IBM Blueworks Live requires some manual effort. The primary advantage is the ease of use. I have not encountered any features in other tools that I couldn't find in ARIS. This is a major factor because I don't have to switch between tools to find specific features. Using ARIS for the past three years has built confidence and trust in the tool.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

18%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Performing Arts

Financial Services Firm

18%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	15
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	34

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	18

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for erwin Data Modeler by Quest?

Regarding pricing, I am unsure what the exact price is for erwin Data Modeler, but I believe it is not useful for an individual. It is more targeted toward an enterprise level since organizations l...

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What needs improvement with erwin Data Modeler by Quest?

I write code and I write code accessing erwin Data Modeler's API, the Application Programming Interface, so that I can use Excel to update erwin Data Modeler and then get those updates and put them...

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What is your primary use case for erwin Data Modeler by Quest?

I work for CVS with a pretty big database as a data modeler on the PBMs, the Caremark PBM side, which is the Pharmacy Benefits Manager. There's a retail side too for all the stores, but our data wa...

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What do you like most about IBM Blueworks Live?

The solution is easy to operate. Also, there is an automatic mode to make the business flow. You don't have to put any lines or arrows in a decision point in IBM Blueworks Live; it's very automatic.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Blueworks Live?

I do not have exposure to IBM Blueworks Live pricing since this is managed by other personnel who handle the financial aspects of licenses.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM Blueworks Live?

I do not use Security Identity Governance and Intelligence, as it is not implemented here. I would prefer an on-premises solution for IBM Blueworks Live, and this could be a recommendation. Regardi...

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Comparisons

SAP PowerDesigner vs erwin Data Modeler

Compared 41% of the time

IDERA ER/Studio vs erwin Data Modeler

Compared 11% of the time

Lucidchart vs erwin Data Modeler

Compared 7% of the time

Visio vs erwin Data Modeler

Compared 5% of the time

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect vs erwin Data Modeler

Compared 4% of the time

More erwin Data Modeler Competitors

Visio vs IBM Blueworks Live

Compared 22% of the time

SAP Signavio Process Manager vs IBM Blueworks Live

Compared 18% of the time

Lucidchart vs IBM Blueworks Live

Compared 11% of the time

ARIS Cloud vs IBM Blueworks Live

Compared 11% of the time

ARIS BPA vs IBM Blueworks Live

Compared 8% of the time

More IBM Blueworks Live Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

erwin Data Modeler

January 2026

Download erwin Data Modeler product report

Buyer's Guide

IBM Blueworks Live

January 2026

Download IBM Blueworks Live product report

Also Known As

erwin DM

IBM Lombardi Blueprint

Overview

Erwin Data Modeler provides an effective approach to visualizing and managing data models. It assists in creating, reversing, and synchronizing data models with ease, supporting logical and physical transitions while enhancing understanding across teams.

Erwin Data Modeler is a comprehensive tool designed for professional database management. It offers capabilities to organize and enforce standards, automating script generation with robust reverse engineering and DDL output. Users can manage complex data environments, capitalize on integration with data intelligence, and maintain large-scale databases smoothly. Despite its strengths, improvements in multi-language support, database integration, and reporting features are needed. Users benefit from extensive support for conceptual, logical, and physical database modeling, enhancing architectural design and data governance for platforms like SQL Server, Oracle, and Teradata.

What are the key features of Erwin Data Modeler?

Visual Representation: Facilitates clear visualization of data models, aiding comprehension.
Versioning and Editing: Enhance usability with versioning and bulk editing capabilities.
Reverse Engineering: Offers powerful tools for reverse engineering and DDL generation.
Integration: Aligns with data intelligence to streamline database management.
Naming Standards: Enforces consistency with automated script creation.

What benefits should users consider in Erwin Data Modeler reviews?

Collaboration: Promotes team understanding and collaboration through visual tools.
Automation: Reduces manual effort through automated processes and integration.
Scalability: Handles large database management efficiently, crucial for enterprise settings.
Data Governance: Facilitates effective data governance with structured modeling.

Erwin Data Modeler finds application in industries focused on robust data management, implementing it for enterprise data warehouses, business domain models, and operational systems. It supports architectural design and governance, aligning with business applications demanding precise data representation and visualization.

Quest Software

IBM Blueworks Live is a cloud-based business process modeling tool that helps you discover, map and document your processes. It is easy to use, allowing you to learn and perform business process modeling in minutes.

With Blueworks Live you can:

Simplify business process modeling
Quickly build business processes in a straightforward, cloud-based interface designed for both IT and business users.

Improve process efficiency and accuracy
A central process repository eliminates version control and consistency issues by providing users real-time access to process workflows.

Enhance cross-team collaboration
A shared team workspace engages all business process owners, encouraging cross-team participation and continuous process improvement.

IBM

Sample Customers

Premera, America Honda Motors, Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Dental Dental Cali, Cigna, Staples

Cloudsoft Corp. Ltd., Bayer, S¾SS, Essex County Council

Buyer's Guide

IBM Blueworks Live vs. erwin Data Modeler

December 2025

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