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LeanIX vs erwin Data Modeler comparison

Quest Software and SAP LeanIX are both solutions in the Enterprise Architecture Management category. Quest Software is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.5, while SAP LeanIX is ranked #1 with an average rating of 7.9. Quest Software holds a 8.3% mindshare in AM, compared to SAP LeanIX’s 12.0% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Quest Software users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of SAP LeanIX users who would recommend it.
erwin Data Modeler
Read 41 erwin Data Modeler reviews
  • 4,967 Views
  • 3,427 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
LeanIX
Read 25 LeanIX reviews
  • 5,958 Views
  • 4,707 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 19, 2025

LeanIX and Erwin Data Modeler are prominent tools in the enterprise architecture and data modeling category. LeanIX seems to have the upper hand in user-friendly interfaces and integration capabilities, while Erwin stands out for its robust data modeling and engineering features.

Features: LeanIX offers customizable solutions for non-technical users, with outstanding reporting and tagging capabilities, integrations with tools like ServiceNow, and comprehensive application portfolio management. Erwin Data Modeler shines with features like versioning, data synchronization, detailed diagrams, and strong forward and reverse engineering abilities supporting comprehensive data modeling needs.

Room for Improvement: LeanIX could improve its diagramming capabilities and address connector costs and API customizations. Users note support issues and inflexible pricing as concerns. Erwin faces criticism on its interface usability and integration with big data platforms, with calls for better reporting and collaboration features, as well as enhancements in reverse engineering and cloud database support.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: LeanIX, being cloud-based, allows quick deployment with active customer support, though users face time zone challenges and slower SAP-related support responses. Erwin’s on-premises model offers stability, but longer deployment times, with potential for improved real-time assistance and customer engagement.

Pricing and ROI: LeanIX’s application-based pricing can be high for large organizations, though it offers significant ROI through optimized management and reporting. Flexible licensing supports strategic adjustments. Erwin is seen as expensive, but its comprehensive capabilities justify the expense, despite less competitive pricing in some markets. Both tools promise considerable ROI at different paces.

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To learn more, read our detailed LeanIX vs. erwin Data Modeler Report (Updated: September 2025).
Buyer's Guide
LeanIX vs. erwin Data Modeler
September 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
3.7
erwin Data Modeler enhances efficiency, accuracy, and customization in data management, boosting productivity and reducing manual effort.
Sentiment score
8.0
LeanIX enhances ROI through efficient data management, cost reduction, and long-term savings, with benefits realized in 6-24 months.
It replaces manual charting in Visio with a structured tool, providing significant return on investment.
For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report
In 24 months, after you've deployed the tool and you've got a lot of good validated data, you're probably looking at consolidating and saving your organization ongoing savings that is equatable to how much the tool would cost you on a yearly basis.
The ROI is seen more on the optimization side and the ability to map applications comprehensively rather than direct cost savings.
For more quotes and insights, download the LeanIX report
AW
SidneyWong - PeerSpot reviewer
KK
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.8
Erwin Data Modeler's support is praised for responsiveness and expertise, despite occasional response time and communication issues.
Sentiment score
6.9
LeanIX support is generally fast and effective, despite occasional delays and variability in staff experience and SAP integration issues.
The quality and speed of their support are excellent; everyone is very helpful, and they can solve problems quickly.
Quest is committed to keeping the product robust.
Erwin Data Modeler requirements function at a standard level.
For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report
The support includes engagement from Technical Advisable Management, who helps us understand and utilize new product features effectively.
Sometimes the challenges with the first level that you actually speak to, they don't understand the problem.
For support, I'll probably give them a seven.
For more quotes and insights, download the LeanIX report
YJ
AW
Khadarvalli Phatan - PeerSpot reviewer
KK
NG
SidneyWong - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.4
Erwin Data Modeler is scalable, supports multiple users and platforms, but may slow with massive models; excels in enterprise architectures.
Sentiment score
8.3
LeanIX is praised for scalability and flexibility, with some performance issues; costs rise but remains user-friendly.
I would rate it probably a nine, making it a leader in data modeling.
Regarding scalability, erwin Data Modeler is performing well; from a few tables to 100 tables, it is working effectively so far.
Scalability in erwin Data Modeler is good as it connects with multiple databases to pull existing table structures.
For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report
I've never seen any issues with being able to scale up or scale down the capabilities of the solution at all.
For more quotes and insights, download the LeanIX report
AW
YJ
Khadarvalli Phatan - PeerSpot reviewer
NG
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
5.4
Erwin Data Modeler is stable and mature, with occasional performance issues, but users value its consistent improvements.
Sentiment score
7.7
LeanIX is praised for reliability and stability, with minor performance issues not impacting overall user satisfaction and functionality.
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.
New versions often introduce enhanced features but may cause model crashes due to memory exhaustion.
Sometimes when I want to open the attribute editor, it stops working and the whole application freezes.
For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report
We've had issues where we've had to go back to SAP and ask for help with issues that we've had with core capabilities that were supposed to be there but weren't working.
For more quotes and insights, download the LeanIX report
Khadarvalli Phatan - PeerSpot reviewer
AW
YJ
NG
 

Room For Improvement

Erwin Data Modeler needs improvements in usability, multi-language support, integration, automation, and compatibility with evolving big-data platforms.
LeanIX users suggest improved features, better integrations, comprehensive support, intuitive interfaces, advanced AI tools, and cost-effective pricing.
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.
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.
For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report
They should implement their ticketing system natively within the application instead of relying on email.
A default framework would provide a base that organizations can quickly adopt and customize, reducing the time and effort spent on adoption.
The challenge with support was probably the response time.
For more quotes and insights, download the LeanIX report
YJ
Khadarvalli Phatan - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2596482 - PeerSpot reviewer
KK
SidneyWong - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Setup Cost

Erwin Data Modeler is seen as costly due to its features and flexibility, challenging affordability in lower-budget regions.
LeanIX pricing varies by usage, with concerns over predictability and scalability; flexibility and planning are highly recommended.
It is more targeted toward an enterprise level since organizations looking to store business information and relationship values may consider the pricing.
For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report
It cost me $91,000 a year for 300 applications.
Our usage and costs depend on the number of applications, and as the number of applications grows, so does the cost.
For more quotes and insights, download the LeanIX report
Khadarvalli Phatan - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2596482 - PeerSpot reviewer
KK
 

Valuable Features

erwin Data Modeler simplifies database management with features like visual modeling, DDL generation, version control, and collaborative capabilities.
LeanIX provides customizable reporting, user-friendly interfaces, cost optimization, and seamless integration for both technical and business users.
One of the best aspects of the tool is its reverse engineering capability.
Currently in the market, there is no competitor to erwin Data Modeler; everything is very powerful, such as performing reverse engineering from an existing database and deploying that on Databricks or Snowflake.
My favorite feature of erwin Data Modeler is that we can export and import tables directly from the databases.
For more quotes and insights, download the erwin Data Modeler report
It ensures cost optimization by identifying duplicate applications and stopping unnecessary application onboarding.
Being able to do the lineage all the way through so that each one of those you can pull them out into their component parts to determine exactly which areas you need to resolve, fix, plan, or build a strategy around.
When you align it or map it to your business capabilities, this is how you identify duplication of technologies in your business.
For more quotes and insights, download the LeanIX report
AW
YJ
Khadarvalli Phatan - PeerSpot reviewer
KK
NG
SidneyWong - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Categories and Ranking

erwin Data Modeler
Ranking in Enterprise Architecture Management
3rd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
41
Ranking in other categories
Business Process Design (9th), Data Governance (14th)
LeanIX
Ranking in Enterprise Architecture Management
1st
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
25
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2025, in the Enterprise Architecture Management category, the mindshare of erwin Data Modeler is 8.3%, down from 10.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of LeanIX is 12.0%, down from 15.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Enterprise Architecture Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
LeanIX12.0%
erwin Data Modeler8.3%
Other79.7%
Enterprise Architecture Management
 

Featured Reviews

Khadarvalli Phatan - PeerSpot reviewer
Helps map data relationships and document business logic through exportable visual diagrams
I would rate the visualization feature in erwin Data Modeler a six out of ten because the visualization is somewhat poor and some of the features are not user-friendly. You need to spend more time to make it a framework. There are areas where erwin Data Modeler can improve, such as scrolling and zooming in and out to see any particular columns. The visualization is average to above average, but not great. 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. The user interface resembles a 1998 Windows structure, so that can be enhanced.
Read full review
SidneyWong - PeerSpot reviewer
Has provided a structured way to align business capabilities with IT while showing potential for support improvements
What it does is it creates a register in the documentation of all your applications and technologies. When you align or map it to your business capabilities, this is how you identify duplication of technologies in your business and how you can potentially rationalize and standardize on them. In conjunction with my business policies, LeanIX is quite effective because using it as a tool to determine what is an endorsed technology can prevent other technologies from being used. I would call it effective in preventing technology sprawl in my environment if it is used alongside my business policies. It does assist in aligning IT with business goals.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
18%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
8%
Computer Software Company
7%
Financial Services Firm
13%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Computer Software Company
10%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business14
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise30
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business8
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise13
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about erwin Data Modeler by Quest?
Forward engineering, DDL generation, reverse engineering, and reporting are the most valuable features of the solution.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for erwin Data Modeler by Quest?
I do not recall the pricing from about a year and a half ago, but it seems reasonable.
See all answers
What needs improvement with erwin Data Modeler by Quest?
erwin Data Modeler could improve its UI as it still feels old school and not very modern. There are many features, and I would expect good documentation detailing each feature, including when and h...
See all answers
Any experience with Strategic Project Portfolio Management Solutions?
Hi @Cheryl Joseph ​Looking at the crossover between Project and Portfolio management with EA, then Planview could be a good choice. If looking at Portfolio Management from an EA perspective then Le...
See all answers
What do you like most about LeanIX?
The ability to import data and generate reports from it. That's where its power lies.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for LeanIX?
My experience with pricing is not directly known, as it was handled by others, but it is subscription-based. The tool was part of the RISE license in a previous project.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 6% of the time
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Compared 3% of the time
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Compared 21% of the time
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Compared 12% of the time
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Compared 7% of the time
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Compared 2% of the time
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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
erwin Data Modeler
November 2025
erwin Data Modeler reportDownload erwin Data Modeler product report
Buyer's Guide
LeanIX
October 2025
LeanIX reportDownload LeanIX product report
 

Also Known As

erwin DM
No data available
 

Interactive Demo

Demo not available
Quest Software
SAP LeanIX
 

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

SAP LeanIX provides enterprise architecture solutions that modernize IT and transform businesses, integrating AI-enriched, SaaS tools to enhance architecture visualization and evolution.

Embracing a comprehensive approach, SAP LeanIX supports organizations globally with tools that foster IT landscape optimization and forward-looking architecture creation. It offers solutions for real-time IT overviews, risk management, and architectural planning. These capabilities ensure that enterprises have the flexibility and insights needed to maximize their business impact and align their IT strategies with their organizational goals. SAP LeanIX is recognized for its ease of use, flexible reporting, and the ability to seamlessly integrate various data sources.

What features define SAP LeanIX?
  • Flexible Reporting: Enables personalized data views.
  • Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface similar to social networks.
  • Integration Capabilities: Extensive out-of-the-box options.
  • Real-Time Feedback: Facilitates instant data integration.
  • Application Portfolio Management: Comprehensive IT analysis.
  • Seamless ServiceNow Integration: Smooth data flow integration.
What benefits and ROI can users expect from SAP LeanIX?
  • Data Management: Efficient data capture and tagging.
  • Cost Optimization: Streamlines operations cost-effectively.
  • Dashboard Presentation: Enhances strategic decision-making.
  • Business Alignment: Aligns technology with business strategies.
  • Educational Resources: Provides valuable learning materials.

SAP LeanIX is implemented across industries to enhance enterprise architecture, application portfolio management, and business capability mapping. Its use extends into cloud governance, data flow analysis, and integration architecture, allowing multiple organizations to improve operational visibility and strategic planning. It also enables cataloging systems and app rationalization while linking capabilities for improved lifecycle management.

SAP LeanIX
 

Sample Customers

 Premera, America Honda Motors, Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Dental Dental Cali, Cigna, Staples
Bosch Rexroth, NSW Department of Education, Yamaha Motor Corporation, Tetra Pak, Deutsche Bahn, Flynn, SKF AB, NTT Group, Travis Perkins, SEEK, Haworth, Asahi Beverages, MediaMarktSaturn, KAO USA, Ørsted, The Mark Anthony Group of Companies, AmTrust, Banco Itaú Unibanco, SHL Medical,...
Buyer's Guide
LeanIX vs. erwin Data Modeler
September 2025
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