typeorm vs knex vs sequelize vs bookshelf vs orange-orm
Node.js ORM Libraries Comparison
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What's Node.js ORM Libraries?

Node.js ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) libraries provide a way to interact with databases using JavaScript objects instead of SQL queries. They abstract the database interactions, allowing developers to work with database records as if they were regular JavaScript objects. This abstraction simplifies database operations, promotes code reusability, and enhances maintainability. Each ORM has its unique features, design philosophies, and use cases, making it essential to choose the right one based on project requirements and developer preferences.

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typeorm2,760,455
35,77320.7 MB2,490a month agoMIT
knex2,514,800
20,004874 kB1,0132 years agoMIT
sequelize2,159,985
30,1572.91 MB9866 months agoMIT
bookshelf67,661
6,368-2375 years agoMIT
orange-orm15,690
8892.61 MB5a month agoISC
Feature Comparison: typeorm vs knex vs sequelize vs bookshelf vs orange-orm

Design Philosophy

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM is designed to leverage TypeScript's features, promoting strong typing and advanced object-oriented programming practices. It supports both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns, allowing developers to choose their preferred approach.

  • knex:

    Knex is designed as a SQL query builder rather than a full ORM. Its philosophy revolves around providing a powerful and flexible way to construct SQL queries programmatically while allowing developers to retain control over the raw SQL when needed.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize adopts a comprehensive design philosophy, offering a wide range of features and capabilities. It aims to provide a powerful and flexible ORM experience, catering to complex applications that require robust data modeling and management.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf follows a simple and intuitive design philosophy, focusing on providing a straightforward API for defining models and relationships. It emphasizes flexibility and ease of use, making it suitable for developers who want to avoid complex abstractions.

  • orange-orm:

    Orange ORM is built with simplicity in mind, aiming to provide a minimalistic approach to ORM functionality. It focuses on performance and ease of integration, making it a good choice for developers looking for a lightweight solution.

Learning Curve

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM's learning curve can be steep for those not familiar with TypeScript or advanced ORM concepts. However, its strong typing and comprehensive documentation can help mitigate this challenge for TypeScript developers.

  • knex:

    Knex has a moderate learning curve as it requires understanding SQL concepts to effectively use its query-building capabilities. However, once familiar with its syntax, developers can create complex queries with ease.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set and options. While it offers powerful capabilities, developers may need time to understand its various functionalities and best practices for usage.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf has a relatively gentle learning curve, especially for those familiar with Knex.js. Its straightforward API and documentation make it easy for developers to get started quickly without extensive prior knowledge of ORM concepts.

  • orange-orm:

    Orange ORM is designed to be easy to learn, with a simple API that allows developers to quickly grasp its functionality. Its minimalistic approach reduces the complexity often associated with ORM libraries.

Extensibility

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM is highly extensible, supporting custom repositories, decorators, and middleware. Its architecture allows developers to create complex data models and integrate additional features seamlessly.

  • knex:

    Knex is highly extensible, allowing developers to create custom query builders and integrate with various database types. Its modular design enables easy addition of custom functionality without altering the core library.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize offers extensive extensibility options through hooks, custom validators, and associations. Developers can easily extend its functionality to meet specific application requirements, making it suitable for complex projects.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf is extensible through plugins and custom model methods, allowing developers to add additional functionality as needed. This flexibility makes it suitable for projects that may require unique features.

  • orange-orm:

    Orange ORM is designed to be lightweight and simple, which limits its extensibility compared to larger ORMs. However, it allows for basic customization through model definitions and hooks.

Performance

  • typeorm:

    TypeORM offers good performance, especially with TypeScript's static typing. However, its performance can be impacted by the complexity of relationships and lazy loading features. Developers should optimize their queries and data access patterns to maintain performance.

  • knex:

    Knex is known for its performance as a query builder, allowing developers to write optimized SQL queries directly. Its lightweight nature ensures that it does not introduce significant overhead, making it suitable for high-performance applications.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize's performance can vary depending on the complexity of the models and relationships. While it provides many features, developers must be mindful of potential performance bottlenecks in large applications with complex queries.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf's performance is generally good for most applications, but it may not be as optimized as some larger ORMs. Its reliance on Knex.js allows for efficient query building, but complex relationships can impact performance.

  • orange-orm:

    Orange ORM is designed for performance, focusing on minimal overhead and efficient data access. It is suitable for applications where speed is a critical factor, especially in smaller projects.

How to Choose: typeorm vs knex vs sequelize vs bookshelf vs orange-orm
  • typeorm:

    Choose TypeORM if you are working with TypeScript and need a full-featured ORM that supports both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns. It is ideal for applications that require strong typing and advanced features like lazy loading and complex relationships.

  • knex:

    Choose Knex if you need a SQL query builder that can work with multiple database types. It is not an ORM but provides powerful query building capabilities and is useful for projects that require raw SQL queries alongside some ORM features.

  • sequelize:

    Choose Sequelize if you need a feature-rich ORM that supports multiple dialects (Postgres, MySQL, SQLite, etc.) and offers extensive features like migrations, associations, and validations. It is well-suited for larger applications that require robust database interactions.

  • bookshelf:

    Choose Bookshelf if you prefer a lightweight ORM that is built on top of Knex.js and provides a simple way to model relationships between tables. It is ideal for projects that need flexibility and a straightforward API without too many abstractions.

  • orange-orm:

    Choose Orange ORM if you want a lightweight and easy-to-use ORM that focuses on simplicity and performance. It is suitable for small to medium-sized applications that require basic ORM functionality without the overhead of larger frameworks.

Similar Npm Packages to typeorm

typeorm is an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) library for TypeScript and JavaScript applications. It provides a powerful and flexible way to interact with databases, allowing developers to work with database entities as if they were regular JavaScript objects. TypeORM supports various database systems, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and more, making it a versatile choice for many applications. Its features include support for migrations, relations, and eager/lazy loading, which help streamline database interactions and improve productivity.

While TypeORM is a popular choice, there are several alternatives in the Node.js ecosystem that also provide ORM capabilities. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • bookshelf is a JavaScript ORM for Node.js that is built on top of the Knex.js SQL query builder. It provides a simple and intuitive API for interacting with relational databases while supporting features like relations, virtuals, and pagination. Bookshelf is a great option if you prefer a lightweight ORM that offers flexibility and ease of use, especially if you are already using Knex for query building.
  • knex is primarily a SQL query builder for Node.js, but it can also be used as a foundation for building your own ORM. It provides a powerful and flexible way to construct SQL queries and supports various database systems. If you need fine-grained control over your SQL queries and prefer to build your own data access layer, Knex is an excellent choice. However, it requires more manual setup compared to full-fledged ORMs like TypeORM or Bookshelf.
  • sequelize is another popular ORM for Node.js that supports various SQL dialects, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. It offers a rich set of features, including model validation, associations, and migrations. Sequelize is known for its extensive documentation and active community, making it a solid choice for developers looking for a comprehensive ORM solution. If you need a robust and feature-rich ORM with a focus on SQL databases, Sequelize is worth considering.

To see how TypeORM compares with Bookshelf, Knex, and Sequelize, check out the comparison: Comparing bookshelf vs knex vs sequelize vs typeorm.

Similar Npm Packages to knex

knex is a SQL query builder for Node.js that provides a flexible and powerful way to interact with databases. It supports various SQL dialects and allows developers to build complex queries using a fluent API. Knex is particularly useful for projects that require raw SQL capabilities while still benefiting from a programmatic interface. However, there are several alternatives that offer different features and paradigms for database interaction. Here are a few notable ones:

  • bookshelf is an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) library built on top of Knex. It provides a higher-level abstraction for working with databases, allowing developers to define models and relationships between them. Bookshelf is ideal for applications that require a more structured approach to data management, as it simplifies the process of defining models, handling relationships, and performing CRUD operations. If you're looking for an ORM that leverages the power of Knex while providing a more intuitive interface, Bookshelf is a great choice.

  • sequelize is another popular ORM for Node.js that supports multiple SQL dialects. It offers a rich set of features, including model validation, associations, and migrations. Sequelize is known for its comprehensive documentation and community support, making it a solid option for developers who need a feature-rich ORM. If your application requires advanced ORM capabilities and you prefer a more opinionated structure, Sequelize might be the right fit.

  • typeorm is an ORM for TypeScript and JavaScript that supports various SQL databases as well as MongoDB. It is designed to work seamlessly with TypeScript, providing decorators and a type-safe API. TypeORM is particularly useful for developers who want to leverage TypeScript's features while working with a relational database. If you're building a TypeScript application and need an ORM that integrates well with TypeScript's type system, TypeORM is an excellent choice.

To see how Knex compares with Bookshelf, Sequelize, and TypeORM, check out the comparison: Comparing bookshelf vs knex vs sequelize vs typeorm.

Similar Npm Packages to sequelize

sequelize is a promise-based Node.js ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) library that provides a powerful and flexible way to interact with relational databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, and Microsoft SQL Server. It allows developers to define models, perform queries, and manage relationships between data in a more intuitive manner, abstracting away the complexities of raw SQL queries. Sequelize is particularly popular for its rich feature set, including support for transactions, migrations, and associations.

While Sequelize is a robust choice for ORM in Node.js applications, there are several alternatives that developers might consider:

  • bookshelf is an ORM for Node.js that is built on top of the Knex.js SQL query builder. It provides a simple and elegant way to interact with databases while supporting features like relations, virtuals, and pagination. Bookshelf is particularly well-suited for projects that require a lightweight ORM with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. If you prefer a more minimalistic approach and want to leverage Knex.js for building queries, Bookshelf is a great option.

  • objection is another ORM for Node.js that is also built on top of Knex.js. It aims to provide a more powerful and flexible alternative to Bookshelf by supporting advanced features such as eager loading, transactions, and complex queries. Objection is designed for developers who need more control over their database interactions while still benefiting from the simplicity of an ORM. If your application requires complex relationships and queries, Objection may be the right choice.

  • waterline is an ORM that is part of the Sails.js framework but can also be used independently. It provides a simple data access layer that works with various databases, including SQL and NoSQL options. Waterline abstracts the database interactions, allowing developers to work with a unified API regardless of the underlying database. If you are building an application with Sails.js or need a versatile ORM that supports multiple database types, Waterline is worth considering.

To see how Sequelize compares with Bookshelf, Objection, and Waterline, check out the comparison: Comparing bookshelf vs objection vs sequelize vs waterline.

Similar Npm Packages to bookshelf

bookshelf is an elegant JavaScript ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) for Node.js, built on top of the Knex.js SQL query builder. It provides a simple and intuitive way to interact with relational databases, allowing developers to define models, manage relationships, and perform queries with ease. Bookshelf is particularly useful for applications that require a structured approach to database interactions while leveraging the flexibility of Knex for raw SQL queries when needed.

While Bookshelf is a solid choice for ORM in Node.js applications, there are several alternatives that also provide robust database interaction capabilities. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • knex is a SQL query builder for Node.js that provides a flexible and powerful interface for building and executing SQL queries. Unlike Bookshelf, which is an ORM, Knex focuses solely on query building and does not impose any specific structure on your data models. This makes it a great choice for developers who prefer to write raw SQL queries or need more control over their database interactions without the overhead of an ORM.

  • sequelize is another popular ORM for Node.js that supports multiple SQL dialects, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. It offers a rich set of features, including model validation, associations, and migrations, making it a comprehensive solution for managing database interactions. Sequelize is known for its extensive documentation and active community, making it a strong alternative to Bookshelf for developers looking for a feature-rich ORM.

  • waterline is an ORM used primarily with the Sails.js framework, but it can also be used independently. Waterline provides a simple data access layer that works with various databases, allowing developers to interact with different data sources using a unified API. Its focus on abstraction makes it a good choice for applications that require flexibility in switching between different database systems.

For a detailed comparison of these packages, check out the following link: Comparing bookshelf vs knex vs sequelize vs waterline.

Similar Npm Packages to orange-orm

orange-orm is an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) library designed for Node.js applications. It provides a simple and intuitive way to interact with databases using JavaScript objects, allowing developers to perform database operations without writing raw SQL queries. With features like schema management, migrations, and query building, orange-orm aims to streamline the development process when working with relational databases. However, there are several other popular ORM libraries that serve as alternatives. Here are a few:

  • bookshelf is a JavaScript ORM for Node.js that is built on top of the Knex.js SQL query builder. It provides a simple and elegant way to interact with relational databases while supporting features like relations, virtuals, and pagination. bookshelf is particularly useful for developers who prefer a more traditional ORM approach and want to leverage the power of Knex for building complex queries. It is well-suited for applications that require a straightforward ORM with support for relationships between models.

  • knex is not an ORM in the traditional sense but rather a SQL query builder for Node.js. It allows developers to construct SQL queries using a fluent and chainable API. While it does not provide the full ORM capabilities, it can be used in conjunction with other libraries to manage database interactions. knex is ideal for developers who want more control over their SQL queries and prefer to work closer to the database layer without the abstraction that comes with a full ORM.

  • sequelize is a widely-used promise-based ORM for Node.js that supports multiple SQL dialects, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. It offers a rich set of features, including model validation, associations, migrations, and transaction support. sequelize is a great choice for developers looking for a comprehensive ORM solution that provides a robust set of tools for managing database interactions and relationships.

  • typeorm is another powerful ORM for Node.js and TypeScript applications. It supports both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns, allowing developers to choose the approach that best fits their needs. typeorm is designed to work seamlessly with TypeScript, providing strong typing and decorators for defining models. It is an excellent choice for developers who want to leverage TypeScript's features while working with a full-featured ORM.

To see how orange-orm compares with bookshelf, knex, sequelize, and typeorm, check out the comparison: Comparing bookshelf vs knex vs orange-orm vs sequelize vs typeorm.

README for typeorm

TypeORM is an ORM that can run in Node.js, Browser, Cordova, Ionic, React Native, NativeScript, Expo, and Electron platforms and can be used with TypeScript and JavaScript (ES2021). Its goal is to always support the latest JavaScript features and provide additional features that help you to develop any kind of application that uses databases - from small applications with a few tables to large-scale enterprise applications with multiple databases.

TypeORM supports more databases than any other JS/TS ORM: Google Spanner, Microsoft SqlServer, MySQL/MariaDB, MongoDB, Oracle, Postgres, SAP HANA and SQLite, as well we derived databases and different drivers.

TypeORM supports both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns, unlike all other JavaScript ORMs currently in existence, which means you can write high-quality, loosely coupled, scalable, maintainable applications in the most productive way.

TypeORM is highly influenced by other ORMs, such as Hibernate, Doctrine and Entity Framework.

Features

  • Supports both DataMapper and ActiveRecord (your choice).
  • Entities and columns.
  • Database-specific column types.
  • Entity manager.
  • Repositories and custom repositories.
  • Clean object-relational model.
  • Associations (relations).
  • Eager and lazy relations.
  • Unidirectional, bidirectional, and self-referenced relations.
  • Supports multiple inheritance patterns.
  • Cascades.
  • Indices.
  • Transactions.
  • Migrations and automatic migrations generation.
  • Connection pooling.
  • Replication.
  • Using multiple database instances.
  • Working with multiple database types.
  • Cross-database and cross-schema queries.
  • Elegant-syntax, flexible and powerful QueryBuilder.
  • Left and inner joins.
  • Proper pagination for queries using joins.
  • Query caching.
  • Streaming raw results.
  • Logging.
  • Listeners and subscribers (hooks).
  • Supports closure table pattern.
  • Schema declaration in models or separate configuration files.
  • Supports MySQL / MariaDB / Postgres / CockroachDB / SQLite / Microsoft SQL Server / Oracle / SAP Hana / sql.js.
  • Supports MongoDB NoSQL database.
  • Works in Node.js / Browser / Ionic / Cordova / React Native / NativeScript / Expo / Electron platforms.
  • TypeScript and JavaScript support.
  • ESM and CommonJS support.
  • Produced code is performant, flexible, clean, and maintainable.
  • Follows all possible best practices.
  • CLI.

And more...

With TypeORM, your models look like this:

import { Entity, PrimaryGeneratedColumn, Column } from "typeorm"

@Entity()
export class User {
    @PrimaryGeneratedColumn()
    id: number

    @Column()
    firstName: string

    @Column()
    lastName: string

    @Column()
    age: number
}

And your domain logic looks like this:

const userRepository = MyDataSource.getRepository(User)

const user = new User()
user.firstName = "Timber"
user.lastName = "Saw"
user.age = 25
await userRepository.save(user)

const allUsers = await userRepository.find()
const firstUser = await userRepository.findOneBy({
    id: 1,
}) // find by id
const timber = await userRepository.findOneBy({
    firstName: "Timber",
    lastName: "Saw",
}) // find by firstName and lastName

await userRepository.remove(timber)

Alternatively, if you prefer to use the ActiveRecord implementation, you can use it as well:

import { Entity, PrimaryGeneratedColumn, Column, BaseEntity } from "typeorm"

@Entity()
export class User extends BaseEntity {
    @PrimaryGeneratedColumn()
    id: number

    @Column()
    firstName: string

    @Column()
    lastName: string

    @Column()
    age: number
}

And your domain logic will look this way:

const user = new User()
user.firstName = "Timber"
user.lastName = "Saw"
user.age = 25
await user.save()

const allUsers = await User.find()
const firstUser = await User.findOneBy({
    id: 1,
})
const timber = await User.findOneBy({
    firstName: "Timber",
    lastName: "Saw",
})

await timber.remove()

Samples

Take a look at the samples in sample for examples of usage.

There are a few repositories that you can clone and start with:

Extensions

There are several extensions that simplify working with TypeORM and integrating it with other modules:

Contributing

Learn about contribution here and how to set up your development environment here.

This project exists thanks to all the people who contribute:

Sponsors

Open source is hard and time-consuming. If you want to invest in TypeORM's future, you can become a sponsor and allow our core team to spend more time on TypeORM's improvements and new features. Become a sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Become a gold sponsor and get premium technical support from our core contributors. Become a gold sponsor

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