path is a core Node.js module that provides utilities for working with file and directory paths. It offers methods for manipulating file paths, such as joining, resolving, and normalizing paths, making it easier for developers to handle file system operations in a cross-platform manner. While the path module is quite powerful on its own, there are several alternatives that extend its functionality or provide additional features. Here are a few notable alternatives:

• fs-extra is an extension of the built-in fs module in Node.js that adds extra methods and functionality for file system operations. It includes methods for copying, moving, removing, and ensuring the existence of files and directories, among others. fs-extra is particularly useful when you need to perform complex file operations that go beyond the capabilities of the standard fs module. If you're looking for a more comprehensive solution for file manipulation that also includes path utilities, fs-extra is an excellent choice.
• path-extra is a small utility that extends the functionality of the built-in path module by adding additional methods for manipulating paths. It provides methods for handling path normalization and manipulation, making it easier to work with file paths in various scenarios. If you find yourself needing more advanced path manipulation features that are not available in the standard path module, path-extra can be a helpful addition to your toolkit.
• upath is a cross-platform alternative to the built-in path module that aims to provide consistent path manipulation across different operating systems. It normalizes paths to use forward slashes (/), making it easier to work with paths in a way that is agnostic to the underlying operating system. If you are developing applications that need to run on multiple platforms and require consistent path handling, upath is a great option to consider.

To see how these packages compare, check out the comparison: Comparing fs-extra vs path vs path-extra vs upath.