NHibernate vs Dapper

Developers should learn NHibernate when building meets developers should use dapper when they need fast database access with minimal abstraction, such as in high-performance web applications, microservices, or scenarios where raw sql control is preferred. Here's our take.

NHibernate

Nice Pick

Developers should learn NHibernate when building

Pros

• NET applications that require complex data models and database interactions, as it simplifies data access by eliminating much of the boilerplate SQL code
• Related to: c-sharp, object-relational-mapping

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Dapper

Developers should use Dapper when they need fast database access with minimal abstraction, such as in high-performance web applications, microservices, or scenarios where raw SQL control is preferred

Pros

• It's ideal for projects requiring simple CRUD operations, complex queries, or when integrating with existing SQL-heavy codebases, as it reduces boilerplate while maintaining SQL transparency
• Related to: c-sharp, sql-server

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. NHibernate is a framework while Dapper is a library. We picked NHibernate based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

NHibernate wins

Based on overall popularity. NHibernate is more widely used, but Dapper excels in its own space.