Prisma vs Drizzle

The TypeScript ORM debate that won't die. One is polished, one is fast. Neither is perfect.

The ORM Wars

Prisma dominated the TypeScript ORM space for years. Then Drizzle showed up and said "what if the ORM was just... TypeScript?"

Prisma has a custom schema language, code generation, and a studio UI. Drizzle is pure TypeScript - your schema is code, your queries are code, no generation step.

Quick Comparison

Factor	Drizzle	Prisma
Schema Definition	TypeScript	Prisma Schema (custom DSL)
Code Generation	None needed	Required (prisma generate)
Query Syntax	SQL-like	Object-based
Bundle Size	~50KB	~2MB+ (with engine)
Performance	Near-raw SQL	Good (some overhead)
Learning Curve	Know SQL = know Drizzle	Gentler for ORM users
Migrations	drizzle-kit	prisma migrate (polished)
Edge Runtime	Works great	Requires special build

Why Drizzle Wins

Drizzle queries look like SQL. If you know SQL, you know Drizzle. No mental translation required.

// Drizzle - feels like SQL

db.select().from(users).where(eq(users.email, email))

No code generation means faster CI, smaller bundles, and no "forgot to run prisma generate" bugs. The schema is just TypeScript - your IDE understands it immediately.

Edge runtime support is excellent. Drizzle works with Cloudflare D1, Turso, Neon, PlanetScale serverless drivers - no special builds needed.

Why Prisma Still Has Fans

Prisma's DX is polished in ways Drizzle isn't yet:

• Visual database browser. Great for debugging and quick edits.
• More mature, better conflict resolution, cleaner history.
• Nested writes and includes are ergonomic for complex queries.
• More tutorials, more Stack Overflow answers, more production usage.

If you're new to ORMs or your team doesn't love SQL, Prisma's abstraction can be helpful.

The Bundle Size Problem

Prisma bundles a Rust-based query engine. This adds 2MB+ to your deployment. For serverless or edge, this matters.

Drizzle is ~50KB. It's just JavaScript/TypeScript talking to your database driver. Cold starts are faster, deploys are smaller.

The Performance Reality

Drizzle generates closer-to-optimal SQL. Prisma's query engine adds overhead - usually small, but it compounds.

For most apps, both are fast enough. For high-throughput or latency-sensitive apps, Drizzle's edge matters.

The Verdict

Use Drizzle if: You know SQL, care about performance, deploy to edge/serverless, or want smaller bundles. This is most new projects.

Use Prisma if: Your team prefers abstraction over SQL, you need Prisma Studio, or you're adding to an existing Prisma project.

Consider Kysely if: You want SQL-first but don't need Drizzle's extra features. It's lighter but less opinionated.

The Bottom Line

Drizzle for new projects

Drizzle is the modern choice. TypeScript-native, performant, edge-ready. Prisma's head start doesn't outweigh Drizzle's better fundamentals.

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