tRPC vs NestJS: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between tRPC and NestJS comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
tRPC
End-to-end typesafe APIs
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • Provides end-to-end typesafe APIs for TypeScript applications.
- • Offers automatic type safety and autocompletion without code generation.
NestJS
A progressive Node.js framework for building robust, scalable, and enterprise-ready server-side applications.
Best for you if:
- • Open-source Node.js framework for building scalable server-side applications.
- • Features modular architecture, dependency injection, and TypeScript for robust development.
| At a Glance |  tRPC |  NestJS |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 86/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | tRPC | NestJS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools |
How tRPC and NestJS Compare
tRPC
End-to-end typesafe APIs
Free · 86/100 score
NestJS
A progressive Node.js framework for building robust, scalable, and enterprise-ready server-side applications.
Free · 85/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: tRPC
Want the highest-rated option?
tRPC: 86/100. NestJS: 85/100.
Go with: tRPC
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: tRPC
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
tRPC scores higher: 86/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
tRPC
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 85
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
NestJS
The Bottom Line
tRPC (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tRPC or NestJS better?
tRPC scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are tRPC and NestJS used for?
tRPC: End-to-end typesafe APIs. NestJS: A progressive Node.js framework for building robust, scalable, and enterprise-ready server-side applications..
What does tRPC cost vs NestJS?
tRPC is completely free. NestJS is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.