Softwr

Software · head to head

Yarn vs npm

Yarn logo

Yarn

Software

Fast, reliable, and secure dependency management

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: Yarn yarn 2+ (Berry) has limited ESM support which can be a constraint for some projects; npm private packages require a paid user or organization account; the free registry publishes publicly only

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Yarn and npm actually diverge.

Attributes where Yarn and npm differ
AttributeYarnnpm
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Linux, macOS, WindowsWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded20162014

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 Yarn

Nothing recorded that npm does not also cover.

Only in npm

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

What people use each for

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

Yarn

No use cases recorded yet. See the Yarn review.

npm

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

npm

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Yarn

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Yarn review.

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 Yarn if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows.
Yarn 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 Yarn or npm better?
Neither clearly leads. Yarn 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, Yarn or npm?
Yarn starts at Free and npm at Free.
Does Yarn or npm run on more platforms?
Yarn runs on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows. npm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
Can I use Yarn for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Yarn do that npm 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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Yarn

More on npm

Keep looking

Other head to heads