Comparison¶

How does ddb-lib compare to other DynamoDB solutions?

Feature comparison¶

Vs. raw AWS SDK¶

AWS SDK v3¶

Pros: - Official AWS library - Complete DynamoDB API coverage - Well-documented - Actively maintained

Cons: - Verbose API - No pattern helpers - No monitoring built-in - Manual error handling - No best practice guidance

Ddb-lib¶

Pros: - Simplified API wrapping AWS SDK - Pattern helpers included - Built-in monitoring and recommendations - Anti-pattern detection - Type-safe utilities - Modular (use only what you need)

Cons: - Additional abstraction layer - Smaller community

When to use each¶

Use AWS SDK if: - You need complete control - You're already familiar with the SDK - You don't need pattern helpers or monitoring

Use ddb-lib if: - You want simplified API - You need pattern helpers - You want monitoring and recommendations - You're learning DynamoDB best practices

Vs. Amplify data¶

Amplify data (gen 2)¶

Pros: - Integrated with Amplify ecosystem - GraphQL API generation - Authorization rules - Real-time subscriptions - Type-safe from schema

Cons: - Tied to Amplify - No performance monitoring - Limited DynamoDB pattern support - Less control over DynamoDB operations

Ddb-lib/amplify¶

Pros: - Works with Amplify - Adds monitoring to Amplify operations - Pattern helpers for Amplify - Performance insights - Doesn't interfere with Amplify features

Cons: - Requires Amplify - Additional package

When to use each¶

Use Amplify Data alone if: - You only need basic CRUD - You don't need performance monitoring - You're satisfied with Amplify's patterns

Use ddb-lib/amplify if: - You're using Amplify AND want monitoring - You need DynamoDB pattern helpers - You want performance insights - You want to detect anti-patterns

Vs. DynamoDB toolbox¶

DynamoDB toolbox¶

Pros: - Entity and table abstractions - Schema validation - Type safety - Single-table design support

Cons: - No monitoring - No anti-pattern detection - Steeper learning curve - More opinionated

Ddb-lib¶

Pros: - Simpler API - Built-in monitoring - Anti-pattern detection - Less opinionated - Modular

Cons: - No schema validation (yet) - Less entity abstraction

When to use each¶

Use DynamoDB Toolbox if: - You want strong entity abstractions - You need schema validation now - You prefer opinionated frameworks

Use ddb-lib if: - You want monitoring and recommendations - You prefer less abstraction - You want modular packages - You're using Amplify

Vs. electrodb¶

Electrodb¶

Pros: - Powerful query builder - Collection support - Type safety - Single-table design focus

Cons: - Steeper learning curve - No monitoring - More complex API - Opinionated patterns

Ddb-lib¶

Pros: - Simpler API - Built-in monitoring - Pattern helpers - Less opinionated - Amplify integration

Cons: - Less powerful query builder - No collection abstraction

When to use each¶

Use ElectroDB if: - You need powerful query abstractions - You want collection support - You're comfortable with complexity

Use ddb-lib if: - You want simplicity - You need monitoring - You're using Amplify - You want pattern helpers

Decision matrix¶

Choose ddb-lib if:¶

✅ You want monitoring and recommendations
✅ You need pattern helpers for DynamoDB best practices
✅ You're using Amplify Gen 2
✅ You want modular packages (install only what you need)
✅ You prefer less abstraction and more control
✅ You want anti-pattern detection
✅ You need multi-attribute key support

Choose AWS SDK if:¶

✅ You need complete control
✅ You're already familiar with the SDK
✅ You don't need pattern helpers or monitoring
✅ You want zero abstraction

Choose Amplify data if:¶

✅ You're building an Amplify application
✅ You need GraphQL API
✅ You want authorization rules
✅ You need real-time subscriptions
✅ You don't need performance monitoring

Choose DynamoDB toolbox if:¶

✅ You want strong entity abstractions
✅ You need schema validation now
✅ You prefer opinionated frameworks
✅ You're comfortable with more complexity

Choose electrodb if:¶

✅ You need powerful query abstractions
✅ You want collection support
✅ You're focused on single-table design
✅ You're comfortable with learning curve

Migration paths¶

From AWS SDK to ddb-lib¶

Easy migration - ddb-lib wraps the AWS SDK:

// Before (AWS SDK)
import { DynamoDBClient } from '@aws-sdk/client-dynamodb'
import { DynamoDBDocumentClient, GetCommand } from '@aws-sdk/lib-dynamodb'

const client = new DynamoDBClient({ region: 'us-east-1' })
const docClient = DynamoDBDocumentClient.from(client)

const result = await docClient.send(new GetCommand({
  TableName: 'users',
  Key: { pk: 'USER#123', sk: 'PROFILE' }
}))

// After (ddb-lib)
import { TableClient } from '@ddb-lib/client'

const table = new TableClient({
  tableName: 'users',
  region: 'us-east-1'
})

const result = await table.get({ pk: 'USER#123', sk: 'PROFILE' })

From Amplify to ddb-lib/amplify¶

Non-breaking addition - just wrap your models:

// Before (Amplify only)
import { generateClient } from 'aws-amplify/data'

const client = generateClient()
await client.models.Todo.create({ title: 'Task' })

// After (Amplify + ddb-lib)
import { generateClient } from 'aws-amplify/data'
import { AmplifyMonitor } from '@ddb-lib/amplify'

const client = generateClient()
const monitor = new AmplifyMonitor({ statsConfig: { enabled: true } })
const monitoredTodos = monitor.wrap(client.models.Todo)

await monitoredTodos.create({ title: 'Task' })
const recommendations = monitor.getRecommendations()

Performance comparison¶

Bundle size (minified + gzipped)¶

Runtime performance¶

All libraries have similar runtime performance as they ultimately use the AWS SDK. The overhead of ddb-lib's monitoring is minimal (<1ms per operation with sampling).

Community and support¶

Summary¶

ddb-lib fills a unique niche by providing: - Monitoring and recommendations (unique feature) - Pattern helpers for best practices - Amplify integration with monitoring - Modular architecture (use only what you need) - Anti-pattern detection (unique feature)

It's designed to complement existing solutions rather than replace them entirely. You can use ddb-lib alongside AWS SDK or Amplify to add monitoring and best practices to your existing code.