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Linode vs npm

Linode logo

Linode

Software

Affordable cloud hosting and infrastructure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
npm logo

npm

Software

Package manager for JavaScript

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Linode linode.com/pricing returns a 301 redirect to akamai.com/cloud/pricing; the service is now sold as Akamai Cloud; npm private packages require a paid user or organization account; the free registry publishes publicly only
  • They diverge on capability: Linode covers Compute instances, npm covers Package installation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linode and npm actually diverge.

Attributes where Linode and npm differ
AttributeLinodenpm
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded20032014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Linode

  • Compute instances
  • Object storage
  • Block storage
  • Kubernetes
  • Managed database
  • Load balancers
  • Firewalls
  • Private networks

Only in npm

  • Package installation
  • Dependency management
  • Version management
  • Script running
  • Package publishing
  • Security auditing
  • Package discovery
  • CLI interface

Both cover

  • Docker

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Linode

  • Running Linux virtual machines on hourly billed shared or dedicated CPU plansnot npm
  • Managed Kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud accountnot npm
  • Hosting workloads in a specific one of the listed global regionsnot npm

npm

  • Package managementnot Linode
  • Dependency installationnot Linode
  • Project scaffoldingnot Linode
  • Build automationnot Linode
  • Package publishingnot Linode
  • Version controlnot Linode

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Linode

  • linode.com/pricing returns a 301 redirect to akamai.com/cloud/pricing; the service is now sold as Akamai Cloud
  • Charges accrue for any service on the account even when it is powered off, because RAM and network capacity stay reserved; only deleting the service stops billing
  • Network transfer beyond the monthly allotment is billed from $0.005 per GB and the rate varies by region
  • The Akamai Cloud pricing landing page shows no rates and directs visitors to regional pricing pages or sales

npm

  • Private packages require a paid user or organization account; the free registry publishes publicly only

Pricing, plan by plan

Linode

Free
  • Nanode 1GB$5/month
    • 1GB RAM
    • 1 vCPU
    • 25GB SSD
  • Linode 4GB$20/month
    • 4GB RAM
    • 2 vCPU
    • 80GB SSD

npm

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited public packages
    • Package discovery
    • npm CLI
  • Pro$7/month
    • Unlimited private packages
    • Package analytics
    • Support
  • Teams$7/month
    • Team management
    • Organization packages
    • Audit logs

Which should you pick?

Choose Linode if

  • You need compute instances.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli.
  • You also want object storage.
Linode review

Choose npm if

  • You need package installation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want dependency management.
npm review

Questions people ask

Is Linode or npm better?
Neither clearly leads. Linode starts at Free and npm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linode or npm?
Linode starts at Free and npm at Free.
Does Linode or npm run on more platforms?
Linode runs on Web, Api, Cli. npm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
Can I use Linode for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Linode best used for?
Linode is most often used for running linux virtual machines on hourly billed shared or dedicated cpu plans, managed kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud account, hosting workloads in a specific one of the listed global regions. Of those, running linux virtual machines on hourly billed shared or dedicated cpu plans and managed kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud account are not what npm is typically brought in for.
What can Linode do that npm cannot?
Linode covers Compute instances, Object storage, Block storage, Kubernetes. npm covers Package installation, Dependency management, Version management, Script running. Both handle Docker.
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