pg vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs postgresql-client
Node.js Database Libraries Comparison
1 Year
pgsequelizepg-promisepostgresql-clientSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js Database Libraries?

Node.js database libraries facilitate interaction with PostgreSQL databases, providing various levels of abstraction and functionality. These libraries enable developers to execute SQL queries, manage connections, and handle transactions, each with unique features tailored to different use cases. Choosing the right library depends on the project's complexity, the need for abstraction, and the desired level of control over database interactions.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
pg8,825,16212,69287.9 kB48314 days agoMIT
sequelize1,998,36229,9982.91 MB9662 months agoMIT
pg-promise524,7853,506426 kB42 months agoMIT
postgresql-client13,3256140 kB110 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: pg vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs postgresql-client

Abstraction Level

  • pg:

    pg provides a low-level interface to PostgreSQL, allowing developers to execute raw SQL queries directly. This offers maximum control but requires more boilerplate code and manual handling of SQL syntax.

  • sequelize:

    sequelize is a high-level ORM that abstracts database interactions completely. It allows developers to define models and relationships, making it easier to work with complex data structures without writing raw SQL.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise offers a moderate level of abstraction, allowing developers to use promises for asynchronous operations while still writing raw SQL. It simplifies query handling and offers utilities for formatting and managing connections.

  • postgresql-client:

    postgresql-client is a basic client with minimal abstraction, suitable for simple database interactions without the complexity of advanced features or ORM capabilities.

Query Handling

  • pg:

    pg requires developers to manually handle query execution and results, providing flexibility but increasing complexity for error handling and data manipulation.

  • sequelize:

    sequelize provides a robust query interface that allows developers to perform CRUD operations using model methods, significantly reducing the need for raw SQL and enhancing code readability.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise simplifies query handling with built-in support for promises, allowing for cleaner and more manageable asynchronous code. It also includes features for automatic query formatting and error handling.

  • postgresql-client:

    postgresql-client offers basic query handling capabilities, but lacks advanced features like promise support or automatic formatting, making it less suitable for complex applications.

Transaction Management

  • pg:

    pg supports transactions but requires manual handling of transaction logic, making it more error-prone for complex operations that involve multiple queries.

  • sequelize:

    sequelize provides a comprehensive transaction management system that allows developers to easily create and manage transactions, ensuring data integrity across multiple operations.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise includes built-in transaction management, allowing developers to easily group multiple queries into a single transaction with promise support, enhancing reliability and error handling.

  • postgresql-client:

    postgresql-client has basic transaction support but lacks advanced features, making it less suitable for applications requiring complex transaction management.

Learning Curve

  • pg:

    pg has a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with SQL, as it requires a good understanding of raw SQL syntax and database concepts.

  • sequelize:

    sequelize has a moderate learning curve due to its ORM concepts, but once understood, it simplifies database interactions significantly, especially for those familiar with object-oriented programming.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise is easier to learn for JavaScript developers due to its promise-based structure, making it more approachable for asynchronous programming.

  • postgresql-client:

    postgresql-client is straightforward and easy to learn, making it suitable for beginners or simple applications.

Community and Ecosystem

  • pg:

    pg has a large community and is widely used, ensuring good support and a wealth of resources for troubleshooting and best practices.

  • sequelize:

    sequelize boasts a large community and ecosystem, with numerous plugins and extensions available, making it a popular choice for developers looking for an ORM solution.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise also has a strong community, with extensive documentation and examples available, making it easier to find help and resources.

  • postgresql-client:

    postgresql-client has a smaller community and fewer resources compared to the other libraries, which may limit support options.

How to Choose: pg vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs postgresql-client
  • pg:

    Choose pg if you need a lightweight, low-level interface to PostgreSQL with direct access to SQL queries and minimal abstraction. It's ideal for developers who prefer writing raw SQL and require fine-grained control over database operations.

  • sequelize:

    Choose sequelize if you prefer an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) solution that abstracts database interactions and allows you to work with models instead of raw SQL. It provides a higher-level API, supports multiple databases, and includes features like migrations and associations, making it ideal for complex applications with relational data.

  • pg-promise:

    Choose pg-promise if you want a promise-based interface that simplifies working with PostgreSQL while still allowing the use of raw SQL. It offers advanced features like query formatting, transaction management, and connection pooling, making it suitable for applications that require a balance between control and convenience.

  • postgresql-client:

    Choose postgresql-client if you are looking for a simple and straightforward client for PostgreSQL with basic features. It's suitable for smaller applications or scripts where minimal setup and configuration are desired.

README for pg

node-postgres

Build Status NPM version NPM downloads

Non-blocking PostgreSQL client for Node.js. Pure JavaScript and optional native libpq bindings.

Install

$ npm install pg

:star: Documentation :star:

Features

  • Pure JavaScript client and native libpq bindings share the same API
  • Connection pooling
  • Extensible JS ↔ PostgreSQL data-type coercion
  • Supported PostgreSQL features
    • Parameterized queries
    • Named statements with query plan caching
    • Async notifications with LISTEN/NOTIFY
    • Bulk import & export with COPY TO/COPY FROM

Extras

node-postgres is by design pretty light on abstractions. These are some handy modules we've been using over the years to complete the picture. The entire list can be found on our wiki.

Support

node-postgres is free software. If you encounter a bug with the library please open an issue on the GitHub repo. If you have questions unanswered by the documentation please open an issue pointing out how the documentation was unclear & I will do my best to make it better!

When you open an issue please provide:

  • version of Node
  • version of Postgres
  • smallest possible snippet of code to reproduce the problem

You can also follow me @briancarlson if that's your thing. I try to always announce noteworthy changes & developments with node-postgres on Twitter.

Sponsorship :two_hearts:

node-postgres's continued development has been made possible in part by generous finanical support from the community.

If you or your company are benefiting from node-postgres and would like to help keep the project financially sustainable please consider supporting its development.

Featured sponsor

Special thanks to medplum for their generous and thoughtful support of node-postgres!

medplum

Contributing

:heart: contributions!

I will happily accept your pull request if it:

  • has tests
  • looks reasonable
  • does not break backwards compatibility

If your change involves breaking backwards compatibility please please point that out in the pull request & we can discuss & plan when and how to release it and what type of documentation or communicate it will require.

Troubleshooting and FAQ

The causes and solutions to common errors can be found among the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

License

Copyright (c) 2010-2020 Brian Carlson (brian.m.carlson@gmail.com)

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.