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npm vs Packer

npm logo

npm

Software

Package manager for JavaScript

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

Packer

Software

Build automated machine images

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: npm private packages require a paid user or organization account; the free registry publishes publicly only; Packer packer 1.10.0 and later is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 with IBM Corporation as licensor, not an OSI open source licence
  • They diverge on capability: npm covers Package installation, Packer covers Image building.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which npm and Packer actually diverge.

Attributes where npm and Packer differ
AttributenpmPacker
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Macos, LinuxLinux, Windows, Mac
Founded20142013

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 npm

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

Only in Packer

  • Image building
  • Multi-platform support
  • Provisioners
  • Builders
  • Post-processors
  • Variables
  • Data sources
  • Validation

Both cover

  • Docker

What people use each for

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

npm

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

Packer

  • Building identical machine images for multiple clouds from one templatenot npm
  • Baking golden AMIs and VM images into a CI pipelinenot npm
  • Creating immutable infrastructure artifacts consumed by Terraformnot npm

Where each one falls short

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

npm

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

Packer

  • Packer 1.10.0 and later is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 with IBM Corporation as licensor, not an OSI open source licence
  • The Additional Use Grant forbids offering Packer to third parties on a hosted or embedded basis in a paid product that competes with IBM's paid versions of Packer
  • Each version converts to the MPL 2.0 Change License only four years after that version is first published, and the Change Date is set separately per version
  • Alternative licensing for uses outside the grant must be arranged with the licensor rather than taken under the public licence

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Packer

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Multi-platform image building
    • Template-driven
    • Provisioner support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Packer if

  • You need image building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac.
  • You also want multi-platform support.
Packer review

Questions people ask

Is npm or Packer better?
Neither clearly leads. npm starts at Free and Packer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, npm or Packer?
npm starts at Free and Packer at Free.
Does npm or Packer run on more platforms?
npm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. Packer runs on Linux, Windows, Mac.
Can I use npm for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is npm best used for?
npm is most often used for package management, dependency installation, project scaffolding, build automation. Of those, package management and dependency installation are not what Packer is typically brought in for.
What can npm do that Packer cannot?
npm covers Package installation, Dependency management, Version management, Script running. Packer covers Image building, Multi-platform support, Provisioners, Builders. Both handle Docker.
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