Package managers are essential tools in JavaScript development that automate the process of installing, updating, configuring, and removing libraries and dependencies in a project. They manage packages (reusable code modules) from online repositories, ensuring that developers can easily integrate third-party code into their applications. This not only streamlines the development workflow but also helps maintain consistency across different environments by managing versioning and dependencies automatically. Popular JavaScript package managers include npm (Node Package Manager), yarn, and pnpm, each with its own features and advantages. npm is the default package manager for Node.js, providing a vast registry of packages and robust dependency management. yarn was developed by Facebook to address some of npm's shortcomings, offering faster installs, better caching, and a more deterministic approach to dependency resolution. pnpm (Performant NPM) introduces a unique approach by using a content-addressable file system to store packages, significantly reducing disk space usage and installation times, especially for projects with many dependencies.
Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
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Publish
License
pnpm
22,797,199
31,647
18.9 MB
1,848
6 days ago
MIT
npm
6,924,042
8,887
11.8 MB
611
4 days ago
Artistic-2.0
yarn
6,225,242
41,537
5.34 MB
2,069
a year ago
BSD-2-Clause
Feature Comparison: pnpm vs npm vs yarn
Installation Speed
pnpm:
pnpm offers fast installation times, especially for projects with many shared dependencies. Its unique approach to storing packages reduces duplication, which can lead to faster installs after the initial setup, particularly in monorepos.
npm:
npm has made significant improvements in installation speed, especially with the introduction of npm 5 and later versions. However, it can still be slower than yarn and pnpm, particularly for projects with large dependency trees.
yarn:
yarn is known for its fast installation times, thanks to its efficient caching and parallel downloading of packages. It was designed to be faster than npm at the time of its release, and it still holds that advantage in many scenarios.
Disk Space Usage
pnpm:
pnpm is designed to save disk space by using a content-addressable file system to store packages. It creates hard links to packages instead of duplicating them, which can lead to significant savings, especially in projects with many shared dependencies.
npm:
npm installs packages in a flat structure, which can lead to duplication of dependencies if multiple packages require different versions of the same module. This can increase disk space usage, especially in large projects.
yarn:
yarn also installs packages in a flat structure and uses a yarn.lock file to ensure consistent installs across environments. However, it does not significantly reduce disk space usage compared to npm.
Dependency Resolution
pnpm:
pnpm also provides deterministic installs by using a lockfile (pnpm-lock.yaml) and its unique approach to dependency resolution. It installs packages in a way that minimizes duplication while maintaining compatibility, which can lead to a cleaner and more efficient node_modules structure.
npm:
npm uses a nested dependency model, which can lead to multiple versions of the same package being installed if different packages require different versions. This can cause issues with compatibility and bloat the node_modules folder.
yarn:
yarn introduced a more deterministic approach to dependency resolution with its yarn.lock file, which ensures that the same versions of dependencies are installed across all environments. This helps prevent issues with version conflicts and makes installs more predictable.
Workspaces Support
pnpm:
pnpm also supports workspaces and is particularly well-suited for monorepos due to its efficient handling of shared dependencies. Its unique approach to linking packages reduces duplication and makes it easier to manage multiple packages within a single repository.
npm:
npm introduced support for workspaces in version 7, allowing users to manage multiple packages within a single repository. However, its workspaces feature is still relatively new and may not be as mature as those in yarn and pnpm.
yarn:
yarn has robust support for workspaces, making it a popular choice for monorepos. It allows for easy management of multiple packages within a single repository, with features like hoisting and linking that help streamline the process.
How to Choose: pnpm vs npm vs yarn
pnpm:
Choose pnpm if you want to optimize disk space and installation times, especially for projects with many shared dependencies. Its unique approach to package management reduces duplication, making it a great choice for monorepos and large projects.
npm:
Choose npm if you prefer a widely adopted, reliable package manager with a large ecosystem. It is the default for Node.js, making it a safe choice for most projects. While it has improved significantly in terms of speed and features, it may still be slower than alternatives for large projects.
yarn:
Choose yarn if you need faster installs, better dependency management, and a more user-friendly experience. It is particularly beneficial for projects with complex dependency trees, as it locks dependencies more effectively and provides better caching.
Similar Npm Packages to pnpm
pnpm is a fast, disk space-efficient package manager for JavaScript and Node.js applications. It stands out from traditional package managers by using a unique approach to dependency management, where it stores packages in a global store and creates hard links to the project's node_modules directory. This results in faster installations and reduced disk space usage, making it an attractive option for developers looking to optimize their workflow. While pnpm offers a robust solution for package management, there are several alternatives worth considering:
bun is a modern JavaScript runtime that comes with its own package manager. It is designed for speed and efficiency, aiming to improve the developer experience by providing fast installation times and a built-in bundler. Bun is particularly appealing for developers who want an all-in-one solution that combines a runtime, package manager, and bundler, making it a great choice for new projects or those looking to experiment with cutting-edge technology.
npm is the default package manager for Node.js and has been around for a long time. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem for managing packages and dependencies in JavaScript applications. While npm has made significant improvements over the years, such as introducing features like workspaces and improved performance, some developers find it slower and less efficient compared to newer alternatives like pnpm and yarn.
yarn is another popular package manager that was created to address some of the shortcomings of npm, particularly in terms of speed and reliability. Yarn introduced features like offline caching and deterministic installs, which have made it a favorite among many developers. It also supports workspaces, making it a solid choice for managing monorepos. However, some users have migrated to pnpm for its unique approach to dependency management and improved performance.
npm (Node Package Manager) is the default package manager for JavaScript and is widely used for managing packages in Node.js applications. It provides a robust ecosystem for developers to share and reuse code, manage dependencies, and automate various tasks in their projects. While npm is the most popular choice for package management, there are several alternatives that cater to different needs and preferences. Here are a few notable alternatives:
bower was a popular package manager for front-end dependencies, allowing developers to manage libraries and frameworks like jQuery, Bootstrap, and others. Although Bower has fallen out of favor in recent years due to the rise of npm and other modern tools, it was once a go-to solution for managing client-side packages. Developers who still work on legacy projects may encounter Bower, but for new projects, it is generally recommended to use npm or other modern alternatives.
jspm is a package manager that focuses on module loading and dependency management for JavaScript applications. It leverages the SystemJS module loader and allows developers to import packages directly from the npm registry or other sources. With its emphasis on ES modules and the ability to work seamlessly with modern JavaScript, jspm is a great choice for projects that require a modular approach to package management.
npm-check-updates is a command-line tool that helps developers manage and update their npm dependencies. It scans the project's package.json file and checks for newer versions of the installed packages, allowing developers to easily upgrade their dependencies to the latest versions. While it doesn't replace npm, it complements it by providing a streamlined way to keep dependencies up to date.
pnpm is an alternative package manager that aims to improve the performance and efficiency of dependency management. Unlike npm, pnpm uses a unique approach to store packages in a global store and creates hard links to them in the project's node_modules directory. This results in faster installations and reduced disk space usage. pnpm is an excellent choice for developers looking for a more efficient package management solution.
yarn is another popular alternative to npm, developed by Facebook. It offers a more deterministic approach to package management, ensuring that the same dependencies are installed across different environments. Yarn also includes features like workspaces for managing monorepos, offline caching, and a more user-friendly command-line interface. Many developers prefer Yarn for its speed and reliability, especially in larger projects.
yarn is a package manager for JavaScript that aims to provide a fast, reliable, and secure way to manage project dependencies. Developed by Facebook, yarn offers several features that enhance the developer experience, such as deterministic installs, offline caching, and workspaces for managing multiple packages within a single repository. Yarn's focus on speed and efficiency has made it a popular choice among developers looking for an alternative to npm. However, there are other package managers available that also serve similar purposes. Here are a few alternatives:
bower is a package manager specifically designed for front-end web development. It allows developers to manage components and libraries in their projects easily. While bower was popular in the past, it has fallen out of favor due to the rise of modern JavaScript frameworks and module bundlers that integrate better with npm and yarn. Nevertheless, it can still be useful for managing front-end dependencies in legacy projects.
jspm is a package manager that focuses on module loading and ES6 module syntax. It allows developers to install and manage packages from various sources, including npm and GitHub, while also providing a seamless experience for loading modules in the browser. Although jspm offers unique features, its adoption has declined as other tools like webpack and Rollup have become more popular for module bundling and dependency management.
npm is the default package manager for Node.js and is widely used in the JavaScript ecosystem. It provides a vast registry of packages and a straightforward command-line interface for managing dependencies. While npm has made significant improvements in recent years, such as introducing package-lock.json for deterministic installs, some developers still prefer yarn for its speed and additional features.
pnpm is a fast and efficient package manager that uses a unique approach to dependency management by creating a single store for all packages on the disk. This reduces disk space usage and speeds up installations. pnpm is particularly beneficial for monorepos and projects with many dependencies, making it a strong alternative to both npm and yarn.
pnpm uses a content-addressable filesystem to store all files from all module directories on a disk.
When using npm, if you have 100 projects using lodash, you will have 100 copies of lodash on disk.
With pnpm, lodash will be stored in a content-addressable storage, so:
If you depend on different versions of lodash, only the files that differ are added to the store.
If lodash has 100 files, and a new version has a change only in one of those files,
pnpm update will only add 1 new file to the storage.
All the files are saved in a single place on the disk. When packages are installed, their files are linked
from that single place consuming no additional disk space. Linking is performed using either hard-links or reflinks (copy-on-write).
As a result, you save gigabytes of space on your disk and you have a lot faster installations!
If you'd like more details about the unique node_modules structure that pnpm creates and
why it works fine with the Node.js ecosystem, read this small article: Flat node_modules is not the only way.
