npm
The default JavaScript package manager. Ships with Node, hosts the largest software registry in the world, and remains the safest compatibility default.
npm is the package manager that ships with Node and the registry that hosts the JavaScript ecosystem. It is universally supported, has the broadest compatibility with tooling and CI, and recent versions narrowed the speed gap with pnpm and Bun. The downsides are flat-by-default node_modules (which masks dependency mistakes) and slower installs on cold caches. For solo projects and teams who prioritize zero-friction defaults over speed, npm remains a fine choice.
Similar Tools
Bun
All-in-one JavaScript runtime, bundler, test runner, and package manager. Written in Zig, drop-in compatible with Node, dramatically faster install and start times.
pnpm
Fast, disk-efficient package manager. Content-addressable global store, strict dependency resolution, first-class workspaces. Default for many TypeScript monorepos.
Node.js
The original server-side JavaScript runtime. V8 under the hood, npm ecosystem, and the default backend runtime for most production deployments.
Deno
Secure-by-default JavaScript and TypeScript runtime from Node's original creator. Built-in TypeScript, fmt, lint, test, and Deno Deploy for edge hosting.
Get started with npm
The default JavaScript package manager. Ships with Node, hosts the largest software registry in the world, and remains the safest compatibility default.
Try npmGet weekly tool reviews
Honest takes on AI dev tools, frameworks, and infrastructure - delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe FreeMore Infrastructure Tools
Vercel
Deployment platform behind Next.js. Git push to deploy. Edge functions, image optimization, analytics. Free tier is generous. This site runs on Vercel.
Convex
Reactive backend - database, server functions, real-time sync, cron jobs, file storage. All TypeScript. This site's backend (courses, videos, user data) runs on Convex.
Cloudflare
CDN, DNS, DDoS protection, and edge computing. Free tier handles most needs. This site uses Cloudflare for DNS and analytics. Workers for edge compute.
