TL;DR
Both Prisma and Drizzle protect against SQL injection through parameterized queries. Prisma has a larger attack surface due to its query engine but offers more built-in security features. Drizzle is SQL-closer and lightweight. Both are secure when used correctly. The main security difference is in raw query handling and TypeScript's type safety guarantees.
SQL Injection Protection
Both ORMs protect against SQL injection in their standard query APIs:
| Feature | Prisma | Drizzle |
|---|---|---|
| Parameterized Queries | Yes (default) | Yes (default) |
| Raw SQL Support | $queryRaw, $executeRaw | sql template literal |
| Type-Safe Queries | Yes (generated types) | Yes (inferred types) |
| Query Builder | Prisma Client API | SQL-like syntax |
Good News: You're protected from SQL injection when using the standard query APIs of both ORMs. The risk comes from raw queries where you might accidentally interpolate user input.
Raw Query Security
Prisma Raw Queries
Prisma provides tagged template literals for safe raw queries:
$queryRawand$executeRawuse parameterized queries$queryRawUnsafeand$executeRawUnsafeallow dynamic SQL (dangerous)- The "Unsafe" naming makes risky operations explicit
Warning: Never use $queryRawUnsafe or $executeRawUnsafe with user input. The "Unsafe" suffix exists for a reason.
Drizzle Raw Queries
Drizzle uses the sql template tag for raw SQL:
- Template literals automatically escape values
sql.raw()allows unescaped SQL (dangerous)- TypeScript helps prevent misuse through types
Type Safety and Security
| Aspect | Prisma | Drizzle |
|---|---|---|
| Type Generation | Generated from schema | Inferred from schema |
| Schema Definition | Prisma schema file (.prisma) | TypeScript code |
| Runtime Type Checking | Query engine validates | TypeScript only (compile time) |
| Schema Validation | prisma validate | TypeScript compiler |
Prisma's query engine provides runtime validation, catching issues that TypeScript might miss. Drizzle relies more heavily on TypeScript's compile-time checks.
Connection String Security
Both ORMs require database connection strings that contain credentials:
- Store connection strings in environment variables
- Never commit
.envfiles to version control - Use connection poolers (PgBouncer, Prisma Data Platform) for serverless
- Rotate credentials regularly
Critical: Connection strings contain your database password. Exposed strings give attackers full database access regardless of which ORM you use.
Architecture Security
Prisma Architecture
- Query Engine: Rust binary that processes queries
- Larger Attack Surface: More code means more potential vulnerabilities
- Prisma Data Platform: Optional cloud features with additional security considerations
- Binary Distribution: Engine binaries downloaded during install
Drizzle Architecture
- Lightweight: Pure TypeScript, no binary dependencies
- Smaller Attack Surface: Less code, fewer potential vulnerabilities
- Direct Drivers: Uses database drivers directly (pg, mysql2, etc.)
- No External Services: Everything runs in your process
Trade-off: Prisma's query engine adds overhead but provides features like connection pooling and query validation. Drizzle is leaner but relies more on you for these concerns.
Migration Security
| Feature | Prisma | Drizzle |
|---|---|---|
| Migration Tool | prisma migrate | drizzle-kit |
| Shadow Database | Yes (for dev) | No |
| Migration Preview | Yes | Yes |
| Destructive Change Warning | Yes | Yes |
Both tools warn about destructive migrations. Always review migration SQL before running in production.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Prisma If:
You want runtime query validation, need connection pooling built-in, prefer a schema-first approach with generated types, or want the most battle-tested TypeScript ORM with a large community.
Choose Drizzle If:
You prefer SQL-like syntax, want a smaller dependency footprint, need better edge runtime compatibility, or prefer defining schemas in TypeScript rather than a separate DSL.
Which ORM is more secure?
Both are equally secure for typical use cases. They both prevent SQL injection through parameterized queries. The security depends more on how you use them (avoiding raw queries with user input) than the ORM choice itself.
Can I use either ORM with RLS-enabled databases?
Yes, both work with PostgreSQL RLS. You need to set the session context (like the user ID) before queries. Prisma's $executeRaw and Drizzle's sql can set PostgreSQL session variables.
Should I worry about Prisma's binary engine?
The query engine is audited and maintained by Prisma. It's not inherently less secure, but it does increase the attack surface compared to Drizzle's pure TypeScript approach. For most applications, this isn't a significant concern.
How do I safely use raw queries in either ORM?
Always use parameterized queries. In Prisma, use $queryRaw (not Unsafe). In Drizzle, use the sql template tag. Never concatenate user input into SQL strings.