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Software · head to head

npm vs Yarn

npm logo

npm

Software

Package manager for JavaScript

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Yarn logo

Yarn

Software

Fast, reliable, and secure dependency management

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; Yarn yarn 2+ (Berry) has limited ESM support which can be a constraint for some projects

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which npm and Yarn actually diverge.

Attributes where npm and Yarn differ
AttributenpmYarn
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWindows, Macos, LinuxWeb, Linux, macOS, Windows
Founded20142016

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 Yarn

Nothing recorded that npm does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

npm

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

Yarn

No use cases recorded yet. See the Yarn review.

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

Yarn

  • Yarn 2+ (Berry) has limited ESM support which can be a constraint for some projects
  • Smaller ecosystem and community compared to npm, though still substantial

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

Yarn

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Yarn review.

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 Yarn if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows.
Yarn review

Questions people ask

Is npm or Yarn better?
Neither clearly leads. npm starts at Free and Yarn at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, npm or Yarn?
npm starts at Free and Yarn at Free.
Does npm or Yarn run on more platforms?
npm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. Yarn runs on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows.
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 Yarn is typically brought in for.
What can npm do that Yarn cannot?
npm covers Package installation, Dependency management, Version management, Script running.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Yarn: What is Yarn's main advantage over npm?

Yarn downloads packages in parallel, significantly reducing installation time. It uses a yarn.lock file for deterministic installs, ensuring identical package versions across machines and preventing version conflicts common with npm.

Source
Yarn: Can I use Yarn in offline environments?

Yes, Yarn supports secure offline environments. The yarn.lock file enables reproducible installs without requiring new downloads.

Source
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