knex vs typeorm vs sequelize vs @nestjs/typeorm
Node.js ORM Libraries Comparison
1 Year
knextypeormsequelize@nestjs/typeormSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js ORM Libraries?

Node.js ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) libraries facilitate the interaction between Node.js applications and relational databases by abstracting the database queries into JavaScript objects. This allows developers to work with database records as if they were JavaScript objects, which simplifies the code and improves maintainability. Each of these libraries has its own strengths and use cases, catering to different project requirements and developer preferences.

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knex2,283,70519,790874 kB1,199a year agoMIT
typeorm2,180,25435,29420.6 MB2,4672 days agoMIT
sequelize1,787,37129,9722.91 MB964a month agoMIT
@nestjs/typeorm1,196,7102,03239.4 kB74 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: knex vs typeorm vs sequelize vs @nestjs/typeorm

Integration with Frameworks

  • knex:

    Knex is a standalone query builder and does not integrate directly with any specific framework, making it versatile for use in various Node.js applications, but it requires additional setup for integration with frameworks like Express or Koa.

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM can be used independently or integrated with frameworks like NestJS and Express, offering decorators and modules that facilitate the setup of database connections and entity management.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize can be easily integrated with various Node.js frameworks, including Express, and provides middleware support, making it a flexible choice for building applications with different architectures.

  • @nestjs/typeorm:

    @nestjs/typeorm is specifically designed to work with the NestJS framework, providing decorators and modules that simplify the integration of TypeORM into NestJS applications, enhancing productivity and maintainability.

Learning Curve

  • knex:

    Knex has a relatively low learning curve, especially for developers familiar with SQL, as it allows for writing raw SQL queries alongside its fluent API, making it accessible for quick database interactions.

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM has a moderate learning curve, particularly for developers new to TypeScript or decorators, but its extensive documentation and community support help ease the learning process.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set and conventions, but it is well-documented, and once understood, it provides powerful tools for managing complex data relationships.

  • @nestjs/typeorm:

    The learning curve for @nestjs/typeorm is moderate, as it requires familiarity with both NestJS and TypeORM concepts, but it is well-documented and designed to be intuitive for those already accustomed to NestJS.

Flexibility and Control

  • knex:

    Knex offers high flexibility and control over SQL queries, allowing developers to write complex queries and switch between raw SQL and its fluent API as needed, making it ideal for projects requiring custom SQL logic.

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM supports both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns, providing flexibility in how developers choose to manage their entities, but it may abstract away some control compared to writing raw SQL.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize provides a good balance of flexibility and abstraction, allowing developers to define models and relationships while still enabling raw SQL queries when necessary, making it suitable for diverse applications.

  • @nestjs/typeorm:

    @nestjs/typeorm provides a structured approach with decorators and modules, which can limit flexibility compared to raw SQL but enhances maintainability and readability in NestJS applications.

Community and Ecosystem

  • knex:

    Knex has a strong community and is widely used in the Node.js ecosystem, providing numerous plugins and extensions that enhance its functionality and support for various databases.

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM has a vibrant community and is well-supported with documentation, examples, and plugins, particularly among TypeScript developers, making it a strong choice for TypeScript-based applications.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize has a large and active community, with extensive documentation, tutorials, and plugins available, making it a popular choice for developers looking for a robust ORM solution.

  • @nestjs/typeorm:

    @nestjs/typeorm benefits from the growing NestJS community, which provides a wealth of resources, plugins, and support for developers looking to integrate TypeORM into their applications.

Performance

  • knex:

    Knex is known for its performance, as it allows for optimized SQL queries and can be fine-tuned for specific use cases, making it suitable for performance-critical applications.

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM offers good performance with features like lazy loading and caching, but developers need to be mindful of how they structure their queries and relationships to avoid performance bottlenecks.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize's performance can vary based on its abstraction level and the complexity of relationships, but it provides features like eager loading and caching to help optimize performance in larger applications.

  • @nestjs/typeorm:

    Performance in @nestjs/typeorm is generally good, but it can be affected by the complexity of the application and the use of decorators, which may introduce some overhead compared to raw SQL.

How to Choose: knex vs typeorm vs sequelize vs @nestjs/typeorm
  • knex:

    Choose Knex if you prefer a SQL query builder that offers flexibility and control over your queries, allowing you to write raw SQL when needed while still providing a fluent API for building queries programmatically.

  • typeorm:

    Choose TypeORM if you want a powerful ORM that supports both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns, is TypeScript-friendly, and provides a rich set of features including migrations, caching, and eager/lazy loading.

  • sequelize:

    Choose Sequelize if you need a feature-rich ORM that supports multiple dialects, offers built-in migrations, and provides a robust set of features for managing relationships and validations, making it suitable for complex applications.

  • @nestjs/typeorm:

    Choose @nestjs/typeorm if you are building a NestJS application and want seamless integration with TypeORM, leveraging decorators and dependency injection for a more structured approach to database management.

README for knex

knex.js

npm version npm downloads Coverage Status Dependencies Status Gitter chat

A SQL query builder that is flexible, portable, and fun to use!

A batteries-included, multi-dialect (PostgreSQL, MySQL, CockroachDB, MSSQL, SQLite3, Oracle (including Oracle Wallet Authentication)) query builder for Node.js, featuring:

Node.js versions 12+ are supported.

You can report bugs and discuss features on the GitHub issues page or send tweets to @kibertoad.

For support and questions, join our Gitter channel.

For knex-based Object Relational Mapper, see:

  • https://github.com/Vincit/objection.js
  • https://github.com/mikro-orm/mikro-orm
  • https://bookshelfjs.org

To see the SQL that Knex will generate for a given query, you can use Knex Query Lab

Examples

We have several examples on the website. Here is the first one to get you started:

const knex = require('knex')({
  client: 'sqlite3',
  connection: {
    filename: './data.db',
  },
});

try {
  // Create a table
  await knex.schema
    .createTable('users', (table) => {
      table.increments('id');
      table.string('user_name');
    })
    // ...and another
    .createTable('accounts', (table) => {
      table.increments('id');
      table.string('account_name');
      table.integer('user_id').unsigned().references('users.id');
    });

  // Then query the table...
  const insertedRows = await knex('users').insert({ user_name: 'Tim' });

  // ...and using the insert id, insert into the other table.
  await knex('accounts').insert({
    account_name: 'knex',
    user_id: insertedRows[0],
  });

  // Query both of the rows.
  const selectedRows = await knex('users')
    .join('accounts', 'users.id', 'accounts.user_id')
    .select('users.user_name as user', 'accounts.account_name as account');

  // map over the results
  const enrichedRows = selectedRows.map((row) => ({ ...row, active: true }));

  // Finally, add a catch statement
} catch (e) {
  console.error(e);
}

TypeScript example

import { Knex, knex } from 'knex';

interface User {
  id: number;
  age: number;
  name: string;
  active: boolean;
  departmentId: number;
}

const config: Knex.Config = {
  client: 'sqlite3',
  connection: {
    filename: './data.db',
  },
};

const knexInstance = knex(config);

try {
  const users = await knex<User>('users').select('id', 'age');
} catch (err) {
  // error handling
}

Usage as ESM module

If you are launching your Node application with --experimental-modules, knex.mjs should be picked up automatically and named ESM import should work out-of-the-box. Otherwise, if you want to use named imports, you'll have to import knex like this:

import { knex } from 'knex/knex.mjs';

You can also just do the default import:

import knex from 'knex';

If you are not using TypeScript and would like the IntelliSense of your IDE to work correctly, it is recommended to set the type explicitly:

/**
 * @type {Knex}
 */
const database = knex({
  client: 'mysql',
  connection: {
    host: '127.0.0.1',
    user: 'your_database_user',
    password: 'your_database_password',
    database: 'myapp_test',
  },
});
database.migrate.latest();