kysely vs prisma

Side-by-side comparison of kysely and prisma

kysely v0.28.11 MIT
Weekly Downloads
2.5M
Stars
13.4K
Gzip Size
37.3 kB
License
MIT
Last Updated
21h ago
Open Issues
153
Forks
376
Unpacked Size
3.3 MB
Dependencies
1
prisma v7.3.0 Apache-2.0
Weekly Downloads
8.1M
Stars
45.3K
Gzip Size
License
Apache-2.0
Last Updated
2d ago
Open Issues
2.5K
Forks
2.0K
Unpacked Size
37.8 MB
Dependencies

Download Trends

Download trends for kysely and prisma07.7M15.5M23.2M31.0MFeb 25May 25Aug 25Nov 25Feb 26
kysely
prisma

Verdict

Kysely is a type-safe SQL query builder focused on providing developers with a minimalistic and strongly-typed interface for building queries in various SQL dialects. It appeals particularly to teams looking for straightforward type safety and flexibility without the overhead of a full ORM. On the other hand, Prisma provides a comprehensive database toolkit that encompasses an ORM, migrations, and a GUI, catering to projects that require more extensive database management capabilities.

For projects that require complex data modeling or extensive database operations, Prisma would be the ideal choice due to its richer feature set and robust community support. Conversely, Kysely is recommended for smaller projects or those where type safety and efficiency are paramount, especially if developers prefer to directly manage SQL queries. Teams with varying levels of database experience might find Prisma's additional features beneficial, while more experienced developers may prefer Kysely's concise approach.

Consider migration efforts if transitioning between these packages; Prisma's wider feature set could necessitate rewiring of existing code, while Kysely offers a more streamlined adoption for teams familiar with raw SQL. The choice should align with the scale and specific needs of your application and team expertise.

Detailed Comparison

Criteria kysely prisma
License MIT license allows for broader usage. Apache-2.0 provides similar permissions but with more requirements.
Version Currently at 0.28.11, indicating ongoing development. More mature at version 7.3.0.
Description Type-safe SQL query building. Comprehensive database toolkit including ORM and GUI.
Open Issues 156 open issues indicate manageable concerns. 2.5K open issues suggest significant potential for improvement.
GitHub Stars 13.4K stars signify a good level of interest. 45.2K stars demonstrate a larger developer base.
Last Updated Last updated on 2026-02-03, indicating recent activity. Last updated on 2026-02-06, showing currency.
Unpacked Size 3.3 MB, lightweight for basic use cases. 37.8 MB, larger due to extensive features.
Weekly Downloads 2.5M downloads, showing solid interest. 8.0M downloads, indicating stronger community adoption.
Community Support Strong community with a decent number of forks. Significantly larger community support and resources.
Bundle Size (gzip) 37.3 kB, moderate size for a query builder. Larger due to its full features, impacting load.
TypeScript Support Designed as a TypeScript-first package. Strong TypeScript support integrated into its ORM.

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