Beam review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Beam is an open-source Haskell library for building and running relational database queries, aimed at teams that want query construction checked through Haskell's type system. Its composable, typed query expressions and projections generate SQL for supported databases. It is a library rather than a hosted subscription product, so it suits developers integrating database access into Haskell applications, not teams seeking a managed query-building service.

The type system is central to Beam's approach: query scoping and types are checked at compile time, while the query API includes aggregations, subqueries, and window functions across compatible backends. For cases that do not fit the typed expressions, customExpr_ allows raw SQL expressions to be embedded. That escape hatch adds flexibility, though it also means developers can step outside the checked query interface. A separate beam-migrate package provides schema migration support.

Beam documents PostgreSQL, SQLite, and DuckDB backends; MySQL or MariaDB support is maintained separately, and Firebird is also listed among its integrations. Backend availability and SQL feature compatibility vary, so teams should check the backend library that matches their database and required queries. Beam is free and open source, with packages distributed through Hackage and Stackage; database connectivity is provided by backend libraries, and support is community-based. Choose Beam if your team works in Haskell and values statically checked queries across suitable backends. If you need a hosted service or uniform feature coverage across databases, this library may not be the right fit.

Beam pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • Checks query construction and scoping at compile time
  • Supports aggregations, subqueries, and window functions on compatible backends
  • Offers a raw SQL escape hatch and separate migration package
• Where it doesn't
  • Requires Haskell and self-hosted application development
  • Backend availability and SQL feature compatibility vary
  • Database connectivity comes from backend libraries

Beam fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 20 Oct 2026 · How we research and update