Drizzle ORM
TypeScript ORM that feels like writing SQL
Quick Verdict
Best For
- Teams comfortable with SQL
- Performance-critical applications
- Serverless and edge deployments
- Projects requiring fine-grained query control
Consider Alternatives If
- Teams preferring high-level abstractions
- Projects requiring extensive ORM features
- Beginners unfamiliar with SQL
Top Alternatives
Score Breakdown
6 dimensions evaluated with transparent methodology
Near-zero overhead with SQL-like queries
- Minimal abstraction layer over raw SQL
- No query builder overhead at runtime
- Efficient prepared statements
- −2 Complex joins may need manual optimization
- −2 Less automatic query optimization than ORMs
Excellent TypeScript integration with SQL familiarity
- Full TypeScript inference without codegen
- SQL-like syntax familiar to DB developers
- Drizzle Kit for migrations
- −4 Less magical than Prisma for beginners
- −4 Schema-first approach requires upfront design
Growing ecosystem with strong community momentum
- Active Discord community
- PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite support
- Framework integrations (Next.js, SvelteKit)
- −10 Newer than Prisma, smaller ecosystem
- −10 Fewer tutorials and learning resources
- −10 Some database features not yet supported
Stable core with active development
- Dedicated company backing
- Regular releases and updates
- Clear migration paths
- −5 Relatively young project (2022)
- −5 API may evolve as project matures
Open-source with minimal operational costs
- Apache 2.0 license
- No external services required
- Low memory footprint
- −2 Drizzle Studio is optional paid service
- −2 Enterprise support not yet available
SQL-native approach reduces abstraction risks
- Direct SQL gives audit transparency
- Parameterized queries prevent injection
- Type safety catches errors at compile time
- −6 No SOC 2 certification yet
- −6 Smaller security audit history
Compare Alternatives
How Drizzle ORM stacks up against similar technologies
Sources & Methodology
How we calculate these scores: transparent and reproducible
GitHub
Repository activity, stars, contributors, issue resolution time
NPM Registry
Weekly downloads, package dependencies, version history
Bundlephobia
Bundle size, tree-shaking efficiency, dependency weight
OSV Database
Known vulnerabilities, security advisories, CVE tracking
Community Signals
Stack Overflow activity, Discord engagement, developer surveys
1.2.0 Last updated: 2025-12-28 Confidence: 85% Metrics: 26/01/2026