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Do I Really Need an ORM?

Many developers starting with Next.js and Supabase wonder if adding an ORM like Prisma or Drizzle is necessary or just an extra step.

The Short Answer

No, you don't need an ORM. However, as your application grows, an ORM can help maintain type safety, handle migrations, and make your database interactions more readable.

Drizzle ORM

Drizzle is a lightweight approach. It feels like writing JavaScript instead of a new query language.

SQL-like syntax that is easy to understand.
Excellent performance with minimal overhead.
Full TypeScript support with auto-generated types.

Prisma

Prisma offers an exceptional developer experience (DX) but comes with some performance trade-offs, particularly in serverless environments.

Supabase Native Library

Supabase provides its own library that acts as a query builder. You can generate types directly from your database, which might make an additional ORM unnecessary for simpler projects.

Next Steps

When choosing between an ORM and raw SQL, consider the following:

  • Use Drizzle for raw SQL performance and type safety.
  • Use Prisma for productivity and ease of use.
  • Stick with Supabase UI/Library for a lean tech stack.