IDERA ER/Studio vs Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect comparison

IDERA and Sparx Systems are both solutions in the Enterprise Architecture Management category. IDERA is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.6, while Sparx Systems is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.0. IDERA holds a 3.5% mindshare in AM, compared to Sparx Systems’s 9.3% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of IDERA users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 87% of Sparx Systems users who would recommend it.

IDERA ER/Studio

Read 39 IDERA ER/Studio reviews

2,049 Views
1,311 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Sparx Systems Enterprise Ar...

Read 99 Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect reviews

7,841 Views
3,293 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

IDERA ER/Studio

Sparx Systems Enterprise Ar...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and IDERA ER/Studio are in the competitive space of enterprise modeling and database design tools. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect stands out for its cost-effectiveness and extensive feature set, making it ideal for organizations looking to manage enterprise architecture economically. In contrast, IDERA ER/Studio, while expensive, is highly acclaimed for its advanced data modeling capabilities, especially for enterprises needing comprehensive database solutions.

Features: Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect offers extensive UML support, accommodates various architecture frameworks such as TOGAF and ArchiMate, and includes collaborative features with a shared repository. Its reverse engineering and automated documentation are beneficial for project efficiency. IDERA ER/Studio shines in database modeling, offering features such as data lineage tracking and strong visualization of database structures, which are essential for managing complex data landscapes.

Room for Improvement: Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect can benefit from an improved user interface to aid beginners, while real-time collaboration needs enhancement. Its platform support could also be expanded. IDERA ER/Studio's licensing and integration processes require simplification, and users often express frustration with its navigation and setup. Improving customer support responsiveness is another area IDERA can enhance.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect provides flexible deployment options across on-premises and cloud environments, with a robust support community; however, support quality varies regionally. IDERA ER/Studio supports both on-premises and cloud options but has been criticized for a cumbersome setup. Its technical support receives mixed feedback, highlighting a need for more consistent service.

Pricing and ROI: Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is praised for its affordability and effective licensing strategy, which supports budget-conscious organizations and yields strong ROI by boosting productivity. In contrast, IDERA ER/Studio's pricing is high with complex licensing, but it offers a significant ROI for organizations that leverage its full capabilities, justifying the cost with its powerful data modeling advantages.

To learn more, read our detailed IDERA ER/Studio vs. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IDERA ER/Studio vs. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

December 2025

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Helped 881,082 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

IDERA ER/Studio

Ranking in Enterprise Architecture Management

7th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Database Development and Management (8th)

Sparx Systems Enterprise Ar...

Ranking in Enterprise Architecture Management

5th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Business Process Design (5th)

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Enterprise Architecture Management category, the mindshare of IDERA ER/Studio is 3.5%, down from 4.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is 9.3%, down from 14.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Architecture Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect	9.3%
IDERA ER/Studio	3.5%
Other	87.2%

Enterprise Architecture Management

Featured Reviews

reviewer2796111

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

Improved data modeling has reduced system footprint and strengthened finance workflows

I assess the benefits of IDERA ER_Studio's metadata management for my organization as not as good as Erwin's. Erwin's metadata management is better in how it handles data. There is a lot more user involvement in managing the metadata, primarily because in IDERA ER_Studio, the logical and physical models are separately defined in the same file, so you have to map them every single time. In Erwin, it has a unified structure, so if you make a change in the logical model, it automatically shows up in the physical model. You have to go through a couple of steps in the IDERA model to make sure everything has moved over. While that is not that inconvenient when you are actually doing development, as far as metadata management, that is prone to things getting dropped and missed. The collaboration tools in IDERA ER_Studio are adequate, but I think with Erwin, there is more of an opportunity for things to crash. Changes can be merged in IDERA more fluidly; however, the locking and sharing are a little bit more defined in Erwin. I think the learning curve for Erwin might be easier than IDERA ER_Studio, especially with connecting to different models and systems.

Read full review

Milan Sterba

Senior Enterprise Architect at Deepview S.r.o.

Efficient documentation generation through organized model structure with a good price-performance ratio

Whenever I begin a new project with Sparx, I have to spend time training people on how to use it since it is not straightforward. Although it's a powerful product with plenty of features, it's not easy for even experienced users to find their way without guidance. This is not the most user-friendly solution.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable features are... those that enable me to represent the database to the development community and the business users."

"Valuable features include the ability to visually represent what the database tables are going to look like and their relationships. Also, the ability to document the definitions of the tables and the columns that are in a table so that we can communicate what the data is and how it should be used."

"We have been able to quickly create models for our enterprise-wide databases, even when some of them are third-party databases."

"When validating the model, the ability to provide sub-models to developers, and generate a physical model from the logical, makes it easier to review a logical model with stakeholders."

"We found a lot of duplication, a lot of non-conformity in the way our databases were designed. By identifying these situations, we're able to go back in and try to create a more standardized solution."

"IDERA keeps up with the versions of Oracle and SQL Server that I'm using. I mostly use SQL Server and when there are new features, a new type of index, for example, IDERA also includes them in upgrades of the data modeling tool."

"Using this product has improved the way we maintain our models because they have a place where we can keep all of them, and they can be viewed using the web interface."

"The data modeling module is important to me because I am a database developer and designer... It's very fast, reliable, up-to-date, so easy to use, smooth."

More IDERA ER/Studio pros

"The most valuable features are the flexibility and adaptability of Sparx Enterprise Architect."

"I like Sparx's BPM features and the way it lets you create the diagram."

"Provides a single repository for all architecture work."

"The initial setup is easy."

"Scalability is not a problem. You can always increase the footprint of what the thing can do because it's so powerful."

"It's like a repository. So far, we use it only for Information Modelling."

"A feature I like most about Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is its ease of use."

"Customizable and tailored to the environment. Several template frameworks are provided."

More Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect pros

Cons

"The solution could be sped up, as it is a little slow (e.g., when it's doing its database compare)."

"When building the relationships there should be a little more flexibility."

"They allow functionalities to be released before the full tests for catching and correcting errors are completed."

"when there are some links to the external databases, if this database is not structured it is not uploaded. It gives me errors and I cannot see the view that was created on this structure and I cannot change those views, even manually. It skips the views. I have to ignore those views. I cannot re-upload them because it gives me an error."

"The solution's reporting could be improved because the report writer is terrible."

"What needs the most improvement are semantic lineage and usability."

"The solution is not so strong at creating modeling views and database views."

"ER/Studio lacks a pure cloud option for deployment."

More IDERA ER/Studio cons

"The Business Process Modeling or BPM feature can be improved to make it more interactive and user friendly because it is a tool for technical people. My current use is only for business process modeling notation and putting in the icons etc. You need to take them in as a class, which makes things very complex. Because of this complexity, it is not an easy-to-handle solution. Enterprise Architect is not very good for mockups. We cannot create user screens and other similar kinds of stuff, which is bad. For these things, we prefer to use Axure RP and other similar solutions. They should either remove this feature from this product or provide some kind of connectivity with Axure RP so that people can do better mockups of screens and import them. They need to augment and strengthen the BPM feature, which is the main feature. They need to put in some elements like artificial intelligence and augmented reality. They should look into such features because these things are coming up."

"The window froze for five or ten seconds. You can click and click again and it takes a second to come up. It might have been specific to a version."

"Greater OMG UML and XMI compliance"

"The product could be improved in terms of its ease of use and documentation. While it offers a lot of functionality, it can be difficult to grasp how to utilize these features effectively."

"I struggled with most of the features for this tool, as did the rest of our architecture team."

"This solution has some limitations from a business perspective."

"It took me a while to figure out how to use the report generation features effectively. So, it would be really nice if they had a way to make that a little bit more interactive and a little bit more straightforward."

"From a practical point of view, we need speed and reliability for creating a model and doing some really meaningful tasks such as application landscape, refactoring, etc. These are two primary criteria. Sometimes, when you import something, it creates the object duplicates, or it allows you to do something that you're not supposed to do. For example, validation is missing. This could be frustrating because when you work at a high speed, you need to come back and start fixing things that the tool allowed you to go with, which is not quite good. So, there should probably be some internal mechanisms to advise you about what you're doing and what is probably not the best idea."

More Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is priced fairly. It's around the same as erwin and other competitors' costs."

"The solution’s pricing is high."

"Pricing is on point, but do your due diligence - not every developer needs the tool."

"At my previous company using ER/Studio, a database compare took four hours before using the product and 15 minutes after using the product."

"The product is pricey."

"The setup cost may have been around $1500 to $2000."

"I feel the product's pricing is a good value."

"I'm a firm believer that all software is overpriced these days but, comparatively speaking, I think ER/Studio is worth the money."

More IDERA ER/Studio pricing and cost advice

"It's affordable. The only additional cost that we haven't yet figured out is the floating license. If you buy a floating license, you have to have a license management server, which comes at an additional cost that's not discussed. So, we haven't yet used the floating license. That’s because I haven't had a chance to figure that out."

"The license I use is on-premise. We haven't gone to the cloud where we have to pay monthly or something like that. Sparx is cheaper than most similar tools."

"In terms of cost, Sparx EA is probably one of the cheapest tools I have ever used."

"Enterprise licensing is competitive. What would be helpful if they load the pricing for consultants, you know, people who are consultants for clients. So the license is fine for end-user organizations. Still, they should consider lowering the license to support this adoption, particularly for people who are consultants like myself."

"The licensing is not as expensive as some of the other data modeling tools such as Erwin."

"Pricing and licensing is very attractive, simple, and straightforward."

"It is cheaper than other solutions. Its cost is around $686 per year. There are no costs in addition to the standard licensing fees."

"I rate the solution's pricing a five out of ten."

More Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Energy/Utilities Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Financial Services Firm

14%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	11
Large Enterprise	26

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	38
Midsize Enterprise	20
Large Enterprise	58

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IDERA ER Studio?

In terms of pricing, ER/Studio is slightly more expensive compared to Erwin, by about five to ten percent.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for IDERA ER Studio?

I have been working with data modeling tools. Personally, I have been working with Erwin for many years now. ER/Studio is something I am currently trying to evaluate for acquiring it for our organi...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering IDERA ER Studio?

I would strongly recommend ER/Studio for large teams. Erwin is a very stable product, but for smaller teams, it's okay. If I had to rate ER/Studio, I would give it nine out of ten because the absen...

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What do you like most about Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect?

The stability has been good and satisfactory. I would rate the stability a ten out of ten.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect?

One of the reasons many public sector institutions in the Czech Republic use it is that it provides a very good price-performance ratio. While it might be cumbersome to learn, it still delivers exc...

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What needs improvement with Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect?

See all answers

Comparisons

erwin Data Modeler vs IDERA ER/Studio

Compared 31% of the time

Oracle Coherence vs IDERA ER/Studio

Compared 9% of the time

Toad Data Modeler vs IDERA ER/Studio

Compared 9% of the time

SAP PowerDesigner vs IDERA ER/Studio

Compared 7% of the time

erwin Evolve vs IDERA ER/Studio

Compared 6% of the time

More IDERA ER/Studio Competitors

Visual Paradigm vs Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

Compared 12% of the time

No Magic MagicDraw vs Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

Compared 8% of the time

Visio vs Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

Compared 8% of the time

Lucidchart vs Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

Compared 7% of the time

LeanIX vs Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

Compared 7% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IDERA ER/Studio

January 2026

Download IDERA ER/Studio product report

Buyer's Guide

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

January 2026

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect report

Download Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect product report

Also Known As

IDERA ER Studio, ER/Studio, ER/Studio Enterprise Team Edition

No data available

Overview

IDERA ER/Studio is a powerful suite for business-driven data modeling that enables companies to create an enterprise architecture foundation for data governance. With round-trip support for multiple database platforms, data architects have the power to reverse-engineer, analyze, and optimize existing databases easily from diverse platforms. Data professionals can easily capture and share models, metadata, data sources, and glossaries across the organization for improved alignment between the organization and Information Technology. Organizational stakeholders can take part in the metadata definition workflow and access information on models and metadata at the right level for their needs.

Unlike its competition, it provides the broadest range of data platform support, industry-leading enterprise-level capabilities, visual data lineage and flow modeling, full dimensional modeling for data warehousing and business intelligence, and business data objects to bridge the gap between developers and data architects. It also provides a complete solution for enterprise architecture and data governance, extensive model change management, unique incorporation of true enterprise data dictionaries, unique linking of constructs across models, integrated visual data lineage import, and integrated data and business process modeling.

IDERA

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is an enterprise solution that helps streamline, accelerate, and integrate software, system, and business development. With this intuitive modeling and design solution, enterprises can stay in control of their workplaces, enable collaboration, support their teams and colleagues, and manage complex projects. Software architects, business analysts, project managers, developers, support staff, and testers can unite under a single repository. Through numerous view points and potential sub-systems, users are offered a unified view in a complex environment.

With Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, users are also offered a shared model option which can be accessed quickly and securely by in-office and remote team members through the Enterprise Architect’s Pro Cloud Server. Building a coherent, verifiable model can be done by connecting and integrating a variety of behavioral and structural information in visual form. As a result, Enterprise Architect offers high performance, flexibility, and the ability to model, manage, and trace every stage of the business development and modeling process.

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Features

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect assists in creating a unified and accessible vision in business development by offering a flexible platform with a unique set of rich features. These features include:

Test and debug - Streamline software development and visualize software with the simulation process. Users can test and confirm correct behavior, set and oversee test points, and debug and examine software.

Track tasks - Track, prioritize, and assign individual and group tasks to assist in the model’s development. Users can visually monitor their progress through the Gantt chart.

Open standards - Users can visualize and analyze running software with integrated custom tools. They can also run advanced simulations, team-based repositories, testing tools, and version control. In addition, the solution supports enterprise architecture frameworks such as UPDM and TOGAF.

Simulation - Create and debug embedded solutions by simulating behaviors and state models. Users can specify events, triggers, constraints, and more. Users can also specify extensive and complex structural systems and create custom domain-specific solutions.

Reviews from Real Users

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect merges high-end tools, online availability, a dedication to open standards, and accessible pricing so enterprises can stay in control of their workplaces, whether remote or in-office. Users particularly like the architectural frameworks and the scalability.

Marc L., a principal architecture enterprise solution adviser at Cronomagic Canada, notes, "The product offers very good support for all mainstream modeling notations and architectural frameworks."

An enterprise architect at a manufacturing company writes, "Scalable solution for modeling, project sharing, and collaboration. Support for it is good."

Sparx Systems

Sample Customers

Newmont Mining, Entrust, Accolade, TalkTalk, Catalina, Protective Life, NTT Data, dir systèmes, Microsoft; American Express, Astellas Pharma, AstraZeneca, Coriant, Fedex, GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo, Prudential, Wells Fargo

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Buyer's Guide

IDERA ER/Studio vs. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

December 2025

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