Mikro-ORM

What is it?

Mikro-ORM is an open-source ORM for Node.js and TypeScript designed around enterprise software patterns. Unlike Active Record–based ORMs, it follows the Data Mapper approach, keeping domain logic separate from persistence logic.

What does it do?

Mikro-ORM manages database access, entity mapping, change tracking, and transactions using a Unit of Work pattern. It supports SQL databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and MongoDB, and allows writing both ORM-based and raw SQL queries.

Where is it used?

Mikro-ORM is commonly used in complex backend systems, domain-driven design (DDD) architectures, GraphQL APIs, and enterprise Node.js applications where data consistency and transaction control are critical.

When & why it emerged

Mikro-ORM emerged around 2018 to bring proven enterprise ORM patterns—commonly seen in .NET and Java ecosystems—to the TypeScript world. It was designed for teams that needed more control than lightweight ORMs while avoiding Active Record limitations.

Why we use it at Internative

We use Mikro-ORM in backend systems that require strong domain modeling, transactional consistency, and advanced data access patterns. Its architecture allows us to build clean, maintainable, and scalable backend services.