If you're looking for the best Node.js ORMs to learn in 2025, here are the top five, ranked based on their popularity, feature set, and ecosystem support:

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1. Prisma

  • Why Learn? Modern, type-safe, and developer-friendly ORM with excellent TypeScript support.
  • Key Features:
    • Auto-generated, type-safe queries
    • Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MongoDB, and CockroachDB
    • Built-in migrations and database schema management
    • Great for Next.js and serverless applications
  • Best For: TypeScript developers, modern full-stack apps, and projects needing strong database abstraction.

2. Sequelize

  • Why Learn? The most established ORM for SQL databases in Node.js.
  • Key Features:
    • Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, and MSSQL
    • Promise-based API with flexible query options
    • Raw SQL support and transaction handling
    • Active community and ecosystem
  • Best For: Developers needing a mature and widely used ORM with relational databases.

3. TypeORM

  • Why Learn? Fully-featured ORM with deep TypeScript integration.
  • Key Features:
    • Supports multiple database systems (SQL and NoSQL)
    • Decorator-based syntax (great for NestJS users)
    • Active record and data mapper patterns
    • CLI for migrations and schema management
  • Best For: TypeScript developers, NestJS projects, and enterprise-level applications.

4. Drizzle ORM

  • Why Learn? A lightweight, SQL-first ORM focused on performance.
  • Key Features:
    • TypeScript-first with full type safety
    • SQL-like API without unnecessary abstractions
    • Works with PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and Planetscale
    • Fast migrations and lightweight footprint
  • Best For: Performance-focused applications and developers who prefer raw SQL flexibility with TypeScript safety.

5. Objection.js

  • Why Learn? A relational ORM built on top of Knex.js with strong SQL query capabilities.
  • Key Features:
    • Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and MSSQL
    • Hybrid approach (ORM + Query Builder flexibility)
    • Excellent relation mapping and eager loading
    • Works well with Express and Koa
  • Best For: Developers who need a mix of raw SQL power and ORM convenience.

Which One Should You Learn?

  • For TypeScript & Modern Development → Prisma, Drizzle ORM
  • For Traditional Relational Databases → Sequelize, TypeORM
  • For SQL Query Flexibility → Objection.js