node-postgres
A non-blocking PostgreSQL client for Node.js, written in pure JavaScript.
- Stars
- 13.2k
- Forks
- 1.4k
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- JavaScript
- Last update
- 14 days ago
- Type
- Library
What it is
node-postgres (npm package "pg") is a client library that lets Node.js programs talk to PostgreSQL databases. It is non-blocking, so database calls do not freeze the rest of the program while they wait. The README says it also works with bun, deno, and cloudflare, and offers optional native libpq bindings alongside the pure JavaScript client.
- Run parameterized SQL queries from a Node.js web server
- Pool database connections for an API that handles many requests
- Listen for database notifications with LISTEN/NOTIFY
- Bulk import or export rows using COPY TO/COPY FROM
Great for
- Node.js developers who need to query a PostgreSQL database from a server or script
- Teams that want connection pooling built into their database layer
- Projects that use LISTEN/NOTIFY or COPY for notifications or bulk data movement
- Developers who prefer a light layer over a heavy ORM
Not ideal for
- People who want an ORM or query builder; the README says the library is by design light on abstractions
- Anyone not using JavaScript or Node.js-compatible runtimes
- Non-developers looking for a finished database tool with a visual interface
How to get it
- 1
Install with a package manager
You'll need: Node.js (version not specified in the README excerpt)
Install the pg package from npm
npm install pg - 2
Run it
- Install the package with npm install pg in your Node.js project.
- Create a client or pool using your PostgreSQL connection settings.
- Run a parameterized query against a database you already have running.
- Consult the documentation at node-postgres.com for connection options and examples.
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Use connection pooling (pg-pool is part of the monorepo) for servers handling many requests
- Use parameterized queries to keep user input separate from SQL text
- Use LISTEN/NOTIFY for lightweight event signals from the database
- Use COPY TO/COPY FROM for bulk data movement
- Read the FAQ on the project wiki when you hit common errors
Downloads
Strengths
- Widely used, with about 13,000 GitHub stars and a published npm package
- Pure JavaScript client and native libpq bindings share the same API, according to the README
- Covers core PostgreSQL features such as parameterized queries, pooling, and COPY
Trade-offs
- The README is truncated here, so detailed API behavior and version compatibility are not verified in this entry
- No formal release is listed, so users must rely on the npm package or repository state
- Light on abstractions means you write and maintain your own SQL
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| node-postgres (this) | 13.2k | Library | intermediate | 14 days ago | Node.js developers who need to query a PostgreSQL database from a server or script |
| sequelize | 30.3k | Library | intermediate | 5 days ago | Node.js backend developers who use a relational SQL database |
| postgrest | 27.7k | App | intermediate | 7 days ago | Developers who already have a PostgreSQL database and want an HTTP API on top of it quickly |
| crystal | 12.9k | Framework | advanced | 4 days ago | Developers who have a PostgreSQL database and want an auto-generated GraphQL API |
| usql | 10.2k | CLI | beginner | 4 days ago | Developers who use several different databases and want one tool for all of them |
| typeorm | 36.7k | Library | intermediate | 8 days ago | Node.js or TypeScript developers building apps backed by a relational database |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.