Dew review
A free Go library for typed SQL queries without an ORM.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Dew is an open-source Go library for composing and executing database queries without an ORM. It is aimed at Go developers who want statically typed schemas and query construction while retaining direct control over database access. Schemas and typed columns come from Go structs, and a fluent API covers SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations. For teams that prefer explicit SQL-oriented code to ORM abstractions, Dew offers a focused option; developers seeking an ORM or a builder for another language should look elsewhere.
Its breadth extends beyond basic CRUD. Dew supports filters, ordering, limits, offsets, joins, nested queries, subqueries, and aggregates including COUNT, SUM, AVG, MAX, and MIN. Builders can run through database connections or transactions, and raw SQL expressions provide an escape hatch when the builder does not cover an expression. Generated SQL and arguments can also be obtained without executing a SELECT, which can suit workflows that need to inspect or pass along query output. That flexibility comes with a tradeoff: raw SQL gives developers more control but moves some work outside the typed builder.
The published product information lists PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and MSSQL dialects, with database access through Go’s database/sql drivers. Installation is via Go modules, and the product is free. Its scope fits solo developers and small to mid-market teams working in Go that want typed query composition across these dialects without adopting an ORM. It is less suitable for projects needing broad language support or ORM-managed data access. Buyers evaluating a wider application platform should compare alternatives; Dew’s focus is query building and execution in Go.
Dew pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Defines schemas and typed columns from Go structs
- Builds CRUD, joins, subqueries, and aggregate queries
- Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and MSSQL
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on Go rather than multiple programming languages
- Raw SQL expressions mean some queries leave the typed builder
- No ORM layer for developers who want ORM-managed access
Dew fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update