Prisma vs TypeORM in 2026
Prisma vs TypeORM is a schema file against decorated TypeScript classes. Prisma generates a typed client from schema.prisma and pairs with a paid Prisma Postgres service that has a free plan. TypeORM defines entities as classes with decorators, supports both the Data Mapper and Active Record patterns, and reached version 1.0 in May 2026.
Facts and prices checked on against the sources listed below.
Quick verdict
Pick Prisma if you want one schema file as the source of truth, a generated client with strong types, and a guided migration workflow.
TypeORM
PriceFree, open source
Pick TypeORM if you like classes and decorators, want Active Record or Data Mapper, or need Oracle, SAP HANA or Google Spanner.
Prisma vs TypeORM at a glance
| Feature |  Prisma | TypeORM |
|---|---|---|
| Schema | schema.prisma, its own modelling language | TypeScript classes with decorators such as @Entity and @Column |
| Query style | Generated, type safe Prisma Client | Repositories, Active Record and a QueryBuilder |
| Migrations | prisma migrate dev and deploy | Migrations with automatic generation |
| Databases | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, SQLite, MongoDB, CockroachDB | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB, CockroachDB, SAP HANA, Google Spanner |
| Runs on | Node.js and TypeScript backends, including serverless | Node.js, browser, React Native, Expo, Electron and more |
| Licence | Apache-2.0 | MIT |
| Latest release on GitHub | 7.10.1 (19 Oct 2026) | 1.1.2 (8 Oct 2026) |
| GitHub stars | 47.7k | 36.7k |
| Free tier | ORM free and open source; Prisma Postgres Free: 200k operations, 2 GB, 50 databases | Free and open source; no hosted service |
What each one is (checked Nov 2026)
Prisma ORM describes your data in a schema.prisma file and generates a type safe client from it. Prisma Migrate turns schema changes into migrations with prisma migrate dev, and prisma migrate deploy applies them in production. The docs say Prisma Client works in any Node.js or TypeScript backend, including serverless apps. The ORM is open source under Apache-2.0, and GitHub lists 7.10.1 as the latest release, from 19 October 2026.
TypeORM defines entities as TypeScript classes with decorators such as @Entity and @Column. It supports both the Data Mapper and Active Record patterns, has a QueryBuilder for joins and pagination, and generates migrations. It is open source under MIT. TypeORM 1.0.0 was published on 19 May 2026, and the latest release on GitHub is 1.1.2, from 8 October 2026.
Pricing
Both ORMs are free. Prisma also sells Prisma Postgres, a hosted database. Its Free plan includes 200k operations a month, 2 GB of storage and 50 databases, with no credit card required. Paid plans start at $10 a month with 1M operations, then $8 per million. TypeORM has no hosted service.
Schema file or classes
With Prisma, the schema file is the single source of truth and the client is generated from it, so query results are typed to the fields you select. With TypeORM, your classes are the schema, and the Active Record pattern lets an entity save itself.
Databases
Prisma supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, SQLite, MongoDB and CockroachDB. TypeORM lists PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, MS SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB, CockroachDB, SAP HANA and Google Spanner, and runs in Node.js, browsers, React Native, Expo and Electron.
When to pick Prisma
- You want one schema file that drives types and migrations.
- You want a guided workflow and detailed docs.
- You may use Prisma Postgres as your database.
When to pick TypeORM
- You prefer classes and decorators.
- You want Active Record as well as Data Mapper.
- You need Oracle, SAP HANA or Google Spanner.
If you would rather write SQL in TypeScript, read Drizzle vs Prisma.
FAQ
Is TypeORM still maintained?
Yes. TypeORM 1.0.0 was published on GitHub on 19 May 2026, the site links release notes and an upgrade guide, and GitHub lists 1.1.2 as the latest release, published on 8 October 2026. The repository had commits on 7 November 2026.
Which has better TypeScript types?
Prisma generates its client from the schema, so query results are typed to the exact fields you select. TypeORM types come from your entity classes. Both are TypeScript first; Prisma's generated types are stricter about which fields a query returns.
Does Prisma cost money?
Prisma ORM is free and open source under Apache-2.0. Prisma Postgres is a paid database service with a Free plan of 200k operations, 2 GB of storage and 50 databases a month, and paid plans from $10 a month.
Should I move from TypeORM to Prisma?
Only if something hurts, such as types that drift from the database or migrations you do not trust. Both are maintained, and a rewrite of a large data layer costs more than it usually saves. Compare Drizzle too if you want to write SQL directly.
Sources, checked November 8, 2026
Prices and plans change often. If something here is out of date, tell us through the contact page.