MyBatis vs Spring Data JPA: Which One Should You Use?

The Battle of ORM and SQL Mappers

Imagine this: You’ve just started working on a brand-new project, and it’s time to decide how to handle database interactions. The big question arises should you go with MyBatis or Spring Data JPA? Developers have debated this for years, and the answer isn’t always straightforward.

Let’s break it down, real-world style, and help you choose the right tool for the job.

What Is MyBatis?

MyBatis is a SQL-based framework that gives you full control over your queries. Unlike traditional ORMs, it doesn’t force you into writing entity relationships the way JPA does. Instead, you write raw SQL, map it to Java objects, and execute it using lightweight annotations.

When to Use MyBatis

• When you want full control over SQL queries.
• When performance optimization is critical.
• When your database schema is complex and dynamic.
• When your team is comfortable with SQL and prefers writing queries manually.

MyBatis Example

@Mapper
public interface UserMapper {

    @Select("SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = #{id}")
    User findById(@Param("id") Long id);

    @Insert("INSERT INTO users (name, email) VALUES (#{name}, #{email})")
    @Options(useGeneratedKeys = true, keyProperty = "id")
    void insert(User user);

    @Update("UPDATE users SET email = #{email} WHERE id = #{id}")
    void updateEmail(@Param("id") Long id, @Param("email") String email);

    @Delete("DELETE FROM users WHERE id = #{id}")
    void delete(@Param("id") Long id);
}

MyBatis gives you raw SQL control without forcing you into an ORM’s predefined structure.

What is Spring Data JPA?

Spring Data JPA is an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) framework built on top of Hibernate. It abstracts away a lot of database complexity and lets you focus on writing repository interfaces instead of manual queries.

When to Use Spring Data JPA?

• When you want quick development with minimal SQL writing.
• When working on enterprise applications with large-scale data models.
• When your team prefers ORM and object mapping over raw SQL.
• When your database schema is stable and not subject to frequent structural changes.

Spring Data JPA Example

@Repository
public interface UserRepository extends JpaRepository<User, Long> {
    
    Optional<User> findByEmail(String email);

    @Modifying
    @Transactional
    @Query("UPDATE User u SET u.email = :email WHERE u.id = :id")
    void updateEmail(@Param("id") Long id, @Param("email") String email);
}

Spring Data JPA reduces boilerplate code by handling most of the query logic internally.

Comparing MyBatis and Spring Data JPA

Feature	MyBatis	Spring Data JPA
Control over SQL	Full control	Limited control
Performance	Optimized with fine-tuned queries	May generate inefficient queries
Ease of Use	Requires writing SQL manually	Auto-generates queries for you
Flexibility	Best for complex and dynamic schemas	Best for stable schemas
Learning Curve	Requires SQL expertise	Easier for Java developers
Code Maintenance	More code, but explicit	Less code, but hidden complexities

Which One Should You Choose?

The best choice depends on your project’s needs.

Choose MyBatis if:

• You need full control over queries.
• Your schema frequently changes.
• Performance optimization is critical.

Choose Spring Data JPA if:

• You want to minimize boilerplate code.
• You’re working on a typical enterprise app.
• You prefer an ORM approach.

Both MyBatis and Spring Data JPA have their strengths and weaknesses. If you love writing SQL and need more fine-grained control, MyBatis is your best friend. If you want a quick development and automated query handling, you can go with Spring Data JPA.

Some developers mix both, using JPA for standard operations and MyBatis for complex queries.

Which one do you prefer? Let me know in the comments! 🚀