Debating ORMs for backend work: SQLAlchemy (Python) vs Sequelize (Node.js). SQLAlchemy offers deep flexibility, rich SQL expression language, and broad DB support - great for complex, customizable systems but with a steeper learning curve. Sequelize provides a lightweight, promise-based API, async/await and TypeScript support - ideal for rapid Node.js apps. Many teams adopt a hybrid: Sequelize for transactions, SQLAlchemy for analytics.