Sequelize vs TypeORM
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A Node.js and TypeScript ORM for working with SQL databases using JavaScript objects.
Open source · MIT
A TypeScript/JavaScript library that maps database tables to code objects for Node.js apps.
The short answer
Choose Sequelize if you need…
- Node.js backend developers who use a relational SQL database
- TypeScript teams that want typed database models
- Projects that may switch between PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite or MSSQL
- Developers who want transactions and relations without writing raw SQL for every query
Choose TypeORM if you need…
- Node.js or TypeScript developers building apps backed by a relational database
- Teams that want one data layer that can switch between several database types
- Developers who want to choose between Active Record and Data Mapper styles
- Projects that need migrations, relations, and transactions handled by a library
Side-by-side
| Sequelize | TypeORM | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 30.3k | 36.7k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 5 days ago | 8 days ago |
What each one is
Sequelize
Sequelize is an object-relational mapper (ORM) for Node.js. It lets developers read and write rows in SQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite and Microsoft SQL Server through JavaScript or TypeScript code instead of hand-written SQL. The README describes it as promise-based, with transaction support, relations, eager and lazy loading, and read replication.
TypeORM
TypeORM is an ORM (object-relational mapper), a library that lets you work with database tables as classes and objects in TypeScript or JavaScript instead of writing raw SQL for every operation. It supports several databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, and Oracle, and the README also lists MongoDB. It supports both the Active Record and Data Mapper styles.
Best for
Sequelize
- Node.js backend developers who use a relational SQL database
- TypeScript teams that want typed database models
- Projects that may switch between PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite or MSSQL
- Developers who want transactions and relations without writing raw SQL for every query
TypeORM
- Node.js or TypeScript developers building apps backed by a relational database
- Teams that want one data layer that can switch between several database types
- Developers who want to choose between Active Record and Data Mapper styles
- Projects that need migrations, relations, and transactions handled by a library
Strengths
Sequelize
- Supports many SQL databases, including PostgreSQL with JSON and JSONB support
- Written in TypeScript and published under the permissive MIT license
- Has a long history, a large star count and an active contributor community
TypeORM
- Supports many databases with one API, according to the README
- Offers both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns
- Has a large community, with about 36,600 GitHub stars and an MIT license
Not ideal for
Sequelize
- Projects that don't use a SQL database, since Sequelize is built for relational databases
- Developers who prefer writing raw SQL and want minimal abstraction
- Teams that need a stable release right now, since the README highlights active work on the next major version and links to a v7 alpha guide
TypeORM
- People who prefer writing raw SQL directly, since TypeORM adds an abstraction layer to learn
- Non-JavaScript projects, because the library is written for TypeScript and JavaScript runtimes
- Beginners with no database background, who should learn basic SQL concepts first
Trade-offs
Sequelize
- The README asks for new maintainers and notes that the next major version is still being finalized
- Two major versions are documented (v6 stable, v7 alpha), so users must pick one and follow its guide
- Feature details beyond the README summary are not covered in the text provided
TypeORM
- The README is truncated, so detailed behavior and version compatibility are not fully covered here
- Supporting many databases and patterns adds size and complexity to learn
- Large projects may need careful configuration of migrations and multiple data sources
Getting started
Sequelize
Install the core package (from the npm badge link)
npm install @sequelize/coreTypeORM
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/typeorm/typeormFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Sequelize and TypeORM?
Sequelize: A Node.js and TypeScript ORM for working with SQL databases using JavaScript objects. TypeORM: A TypeScript/JavaScript library that maps database tables to code objects for Node.js apps. Sequelize suits node.js backend developers who use a relational sql database, while TypeORM suits node.js or typescript developers building apps backed by a relational database.
Are Sequelize and TypeORM free?
Sequelize: Free and open source. TypeORM: Free and open source.
Is Sequelize or TypeORM more popular?
TypeORM has more GitHub stars (36.7k) than Sequelize (30.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Sequelize and TypeORM?
Other options people compare them with include Kysely, knex, libSQL, Entity Framework Core.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.