Boost Coding Productivity with ORM Frameworks

Table of content

TL;DR
Introduction
What is an ORM?
The Top 9 ORM Frameworks
- Prisma
- GORM
- TypeORM
- Sequelize
- Mongoose
- Drizzle
- Objection.js
- Bookshelf
- Waterline
Conclusion

TL;DR

If you’re a developer looking to streamline your coding process and improve productivity, this article introduces you to the top 9 Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) frameworks that can help you work more efficiently. ORM frameworks simplify database interactions, reduce boilerplate code, and allow you to focus on what really matters – building great software.

Introduction

In the world of software development, time is of the essence. As a developer, you’re constantly seeking ways to improve your coding efficiency, reduce repetitive tasks, and build high-quality applications faster. One powerful tool that can significantly boost your productivity is Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) frameworks. These frameworks bridge the gap between your code and your database, simplifying data operations, and allowing you to work smarter, not harder.

In this article, we’ll explore the top 9 ORM frameworks sorted based on their popularity on GitHub. These frameworks can help you write clean, maintainable code, reduce the time spent on database-related tasks, and empower you to create better software.

What is an ORM?

If you’re new to Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) frameworks or would like a more in-depth understanding of this concept, we recommend starting with our article, What is an ORM? In that article, we explore the fundamentals of ORM and how it simplifies interactions between your code and databases. Understanding the core principles of ORM can provide valuable context for the ORM frameworks we’re about to discuss.

The Top 9 ORM Frameworks

Now, let’s explore the 9 ORM frameworks that will revolutionize your coding productivity:

Prisma

Prisma is a cutting-edge Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework that offers a comprehensive suite of tools to enhance your database interaction and data modeling experience. The Prisma framework includes the following key components:

Prisma Client: This tool stands out as an auto-generated query builder that is not only type-safe but also tailor-made for Node.js and TypeScript. It simplifies and accelerates the process of constructing queries, ensuring the safety of your code.
Prisma Migrate: Prisma Migrate takes a declarative approach to data modeling and migration. It enables you to define your data model with ease, making the management of database schema changes straightforward and efficient.
Prisma Studio: Prisma Studio is a user-friendly graphical interface designed to provide a convenient means of viewing and editing data within your database. This visual tool streamlines the data exploration process, making it more accessible and intuitive.

Prisma Client is highly versatile and can seamlessly integrate with various types of backend applications, including those built in Node.js and TypeScript. It is well-suited for a range of applications, such as REST APIs, GraphQL APIs, gRPC APIs, and more. Prisma simplifies the process of working with databases, making it an excellent choice for a diverse array of projects, including serverless applications and microservices. With Prisma, you can harness the power of a modern and efficient ORM framework to achieve your database-related goals effortlessly.

Supported Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, SQLite, MongoDB and CockroachDB
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
GitHub Stars: 34.4k
License: Apache-2.0 license

GORM

GORM is a feature-rich Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework that empowers developers with a wide range of powerful tools for efficient database interaction. With support for associations such as Has One, Has Many, and Many To Many, GORM simplifies the modeling of complex database relationships. It also offers hooks for customizing Before/After Create, Save, Update, Delete, and Find operations, making it highly adaptable to specific application needs.

Additionally, GORM provides features like eager loading, transaction support, a SQL Builder, composite primary keys, auto migrations, and a flexible plugin API. Its developer-friendly design ensures that every feature is backed by thorough testing, offering reliability and ease of use for developers. Whether you need to streamline database operations, optimize queries, or model intricate data relationships, GORM is a versatile and powerful choice for ORM in your projects.

Supported Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, TiDB and Clickhouse
Supported Languages: Go
GitHub Stars: 33.9k
License: MIT license

TypeORM

TypeORM is a versatile Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework that supports a wide range of platforms, including Node.js, Browser, Cordova, PhoneGap, Ionic, React Native, NativeScript, Expo, and Electron. It is compatible with both TypeScript and JavaScript (ES5, ES6, ES7, ES8), allowing you to work in your preferred development environment and language.

The framework’s mission is to stay up-to-date with the latest JavaScript features and provide additional features that enable you to develop various applications, from small projects with a few tables to large-scale enterprise applications with multiple databases. Notably, TypeORM offers support for both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns, setting it apart from other JavaScript ORMs. This unique feature empowers you to create highly maintainable, scalable, and loosely coupled applications in the most efficient manner possible, drawing inspiration from established ORMs like Hibernate, Doctrine, and Entity Framework.

Supported Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, Oracle, SAP Hana and WebSQL
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
GitHub Stars: 32.3k
License: MIT license

Sequelize

Sequelize is a versatile and user-friendly Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework designed for Node.js. This powerful tool supports a wide range of database systems, including Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, Snowflake, Oracle DB, and Db2 for IBM i. Sequelize is known for its seamless integration with Node.js and its promise-based approach, making it a preferred choice for developers.

Key features of Sequelize include robust transaction support, efficient management of database relations, and support for both eager and lazy loading of data. Additionally, it offers read replication capabilities and a host of other advanced functionalities that simplify database interactions and enhance your development workflow. Sequelize empowers developers to work with multiple database systems without the need for extensive SQL knowledge, allowing you to build applications faster and more efficiently.

Supported Databases: Oracle, Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite and SQL Server
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
GitHub Stars: 28.5k
License: MIT license

Mongoose

Mongoose is a MongoDB object modeling tool designed to work in an asynchronous environment. Mongoose supports Node.js and Deno (alpha).

Supported Databases: MongoDB
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
GitHub Stars: 26.1k
License: MIT license

Drizzle

Drizzle ORM is a sophisticated and highly type-safe Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework tailored for SQL databases. Crafted with a strong emphasis on ensuring maximum type safety, it offers a reliable solution for developers working with databases in TypeScript projects. Drizzle ORM stands out for its user-friendly features, including the drizzle-kit CLI, which facilitates automated SQL migration generation, streamlining the database schema evolution process.

Notably, Drizzle ORM positions itself as a library rather than a full-fledged framework, giving you the flexibility to opt into its capabilities at your preferred level of usage. At its core, the ORM embraces the philosophy that “If you know SQL, you know Drizzle ORM.” This approach simplifies the learning curve for developers familiar with SQL, as the ORM aligns closely with SQL-like syntax.

One of the standout features of Drizzle ORM is its rigorous type system, which ensures strong typing from the ground up. This commitment to type safety means that potential issues are identified and resolved at compile time, reducing the likelihood of runtime errors. With Drizzle ORM, you can confidently and efficiently work with SQL databases, knowing that your code is robust and reliable.

Supported Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Cloudflare D1, libSQL, Turso, PlanetScale, Neon, Vercel Postgres, Supabase
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
GitHub Stars: 14.4k
License: Apache-2.0 license

Objection.js

Objection.js is a Node.js Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework that offers developers the freedom to harness the full potential of SQL and the underlying database engine, all while simplifying the common tasks of working with databases. Although it’s often referred to as an ORM, it’s more accurately described as a relational query builder. With Objection.js, you gain access to the advantages of an SQL query builder while also benefiting from a robust set of tools for handling database relationships.

At the core of Objection.js is the SQL query builder known as Knex, on which it is built. As a result, Objection.js supports all the databases that Knex supports. This includes thoroughly tested compatibility with popular databases like SQLite3, Postgres, and MySQL. Objection.js empowers developers to write efficient and powerful database queries, simplifying complex operations and making database-related tasks enjoyable, while still giving you the flexibility to leverage the full power of SQL when needed.

Supported Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, CockroachDB, SQL Server, SQLite3 and Oracle
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
GitHub Stars: 7.1k
License: MIT license

Bookshelf

Bookshelf is a feature-rich JavaScript Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework tailored for Node.js, leveraging the robust Knex SQL query builder as its foundation. This versatile ORM framework caters to developers by offering both Promise-based and traditional callback interfaces, ensuring flexibility in your coding style.

Bookshelf stands out with its extensive feature set, which includes robust transaction support, eager and nested-eager relation loading, and polymorphic associations. It excels in handling various relationship types, including one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many relations, making it a comprehensive choice for database-driven applications. With Bookshelf, you can efficiently manage complex data relationships, simplify your database interactions, and build Node.js applications with confidence and ease.

Supported Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite3 and more
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
GitHub Stars: 6.3k
License: MIT license

Waterline

Waterline is a forward-thinking storage and retrieval engine, serving as the default Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tool for the Sails framework. This powerful framework offers developers a consistent and unified API, enabling seamless access to data stored in various types of databases and communication protocols. Whether your data is housed in MySQL, MongoDB, neDB, or Postgres, Waterline ensures that the same code can be used to manage user data.

Waterline sets itself apart by drawing inspiration from renowned ORM systems like ActiveRecord, Hibernate, and Mongoose. It takes a contemporary approach to ORM, emphasizing modularity, testability, and uniformity across different data adapters. This modular approach empowers developers to select the most suitable adapters for their project requirements, maintaining code consistency, and enhancing application development efficiency. Waterline is an invaluable tool for developers seeking a flexible, adaptable, and consistent approach to data access in their projects.

Supported Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB and more
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
GitHub Stars: 5.4k
License: MIT license

Conclusion