NPM vs Yarn vs PNPM: Which Package Manager Should You Choose

If you're working with JavaScript or Node.js, you've probably heard about different package managers. The three big names are NPM, Yarn, and PNPM. But which one should you pick for your next project?

What Are Package Managers and Why Do They Matter?

Before diving into npm vs yarn vs pnpm, let's get the basics straight. Package managers handle all the external code libraries your project needs. They download, install, and keep track of these dependencies so you don't have to do it manually.

Think of them as your project's shopping assistant. They know where to find what you need, how to get it, and how to organize everything neatly.

The choice between npm vs yarn vs pnpm affects your daily workflow. It impacts how fast your code installs, how much disk space you use, and even how secure your project stays.

NPM: The Original Choice

What Makes NPM Special?

NPM has been around since 2010. It comes built into every Node.js installation, which means you get it for free when you set up your development environment.

When people first started comparing npm vs yarn vs pnpm, NPM was the only option. It created the foundation that the other two built upon.

NPM's Main Features

The biggest advantage of NPM is simplicity. You don't need to install anything extra - it's already there. The commands are straightforward:

• npm install to add packages
• npm update to get newer versions
• npm run to execute scripts

NPM also has the largest package registry. Almost every JavaScript library you can think of lives on the NPM registry.

When NPM Works Best

NPM shines in these situations:

Small to medium projects: If you're building something simple, NPM handles everything you need without fuss.

New teams: People learning JavaScript already have enough to worry about. Starting with NPM means one less thing to learn.

Maximum compatibility: Since NPM is the standard, you'll rarely run into tools that don't work with it.

NPM's Downsides

In the npm vs yarn vs pnpm speed tests, NPM usually comes last. It installs packages one at a time instead of downloading multiple packages together.

NPM also uses more disk space than the alternatives. Each project gets its own copy of every dependency, even if you use the same libraries across multiple projects.

Yarn: The Speed Champion

Why Yarn Was Created

Facebook created Yarn in 2016 to solve NPM's early problems. Back then, NPM had serious issues with speed and security. The npm vs yarn vs pnpm discussion really started here.

Yarn introduced parallel downloads, which means it can grab multiple packages at the same time. This made installations much faster.

What Yarn Does Differently

Yarn's biggest selling point is speed. It downloads packages in parallel and caches everything locally. The second time you install the same package, Yarn grabs it from your computer instead of the internet.

The yarn.lock file ensures everyone on your team gets exactly the same package versions. This prevents the "it works on my machine" problem.

Yarn also introduced workspaces, which are perfect for managing multiple related packages in one repository (called monorepos).

Yarn's Sweet Spots

Yarn works great for:

Large applications: The speed difference really shows when you're dealing with hundreds of dependencies.

Team projects: The lock file keeps everyone's installations identical.

Monorepos: If you're managing multiple packages together, Yarn's workspace feature is hard to beat.

Where Yarn Falls Short

The main downside is that Yarn is an extra tool to install and learn. Your team needs to agree to use it instead of the default NPM.

Yarn also has two different versions - Yarn Classic (v1) and Yarn Berry (v2+). They work quite differently, which can confuse new users in the npm vs yarn vs pnpm comparison.

PNPM: The Efficient Newcomer

PNPM's Unique Approach

PNPM arrived in 2017 with a completely different strategy. Instead of copying the same packages over and over, PNPM uses hard links to share files between projects.

In practical terms, this means if five of your projects use React, PNPM stores React once and points all five projects to that single copy.

PNPM's Key Benefits

The disk space savings are incredible. Where NPM might use 500MB for dependencies, PNPM might use 100MB for the same packages across multiple projects.

PNPM also prevents "phantom dependencies" - a common problem where your code accidentally uses packages you didn't explicitly install. PNPM's strict structure stops this from happening.

Speed-wise, PNPM often wins the npm vs yarn vs pnpm performance tests, especially after the first install when its cache kicks in.

Perfect Use Cases for PNPM

PNPM excels when you have:

Limited disk space: If you're working on a laptop with small storage, PNPM's efficiency is a game-changer.

Multiple projects: The more projects you work on, the more space PNPM saves.

CI/CD pipelines: Build servers love PNPM because it reduces download times and storage costs.

PNPM's Challenges

The main issue with PNPM is compatibility. Some older tools and packages don't work well with its unique file structure.

The community around PNPM is also smaller. While it's growing fast, you'll find fewer tutorials and solutions compared to NPM or Yarn.

NPM vs Yarn vs PNPM: Side-by-Side Comparison

Speed Test Results

In most npm vs yarn vs pnpm benchmarks:

• First install: Yarn and PNPM tie for fastest, NPM comes third
• Cached install: PNPM usually wins, followed by Yarn, then NPM
• Adding new packages: PNPM and Yarn are both much faster than NPM

Disk Space Usage

This is where the differences really show:

• NPM: Uses the most space, stores full copies everywhere
• Yarn: Better than NPM thanks to caching, but still duplicates files
• PNPM: Uses dramatically less space through hard linking

Security Features

All three have improved their security over time:

• NPM: Built-in audit command, automatic vulnerability warnings
• Yarn: Similar security features to NPM, with some additional checks
• PNPM: Strict dependency isolation provides extra security

Making Your Choice: NPM vs Yarn vs PNPM

For Beginners

If you're new to JavaScript development, start with NPM. It's already installed, widely documented, and works with everything. You can always switch later once you understand the basics.

For Teams and Large Projects

Yarn makes sense if you're working with a team on a substantial application. The speed improvements and workspace features pay off quickly.

For Multiple Projects or Limited Resources

PNPM is your best bet if you're juggling several projects or working with constrained resources. The space savings and speed make it worth any compatibility hiccups.

How to Switch Between Package Managers

Moving from NPM to Yarn

1. Install Yarn: npm install -g yarn
2. Delete node_modules and package-lock.json
3. Run yarn install

Moving from NPM to PNPM

1. Install PNPM: npm install -g pnpm
2. Delete node_modules and package-lock.json
3. Run pnpm install

Moving from Yarn to PNPM

1. Install PNPM
2. Delete node_modules and yarn.lock
3. Run pnpm install

Most package.json scripts work the same way across all three, so switching is usually painless.

The Bottom Line on NPM vs Yarn vs PNPM

There's no universal "best" choice in the npm vs yarn vs pnpm debate. Each tool serves different needs:

• Choose NPM for simplicity and universal compatibility
• Choose Yarn for team projects and monorepos
• Choose PNPM for efficiency and multiple projects

The good news? You're not locked into your choice. All three package managers work with the same package.json file format, so switching later is always possible.

Start with what makes sense for your current situation. As your projects grow and change, you can always reevaluate the npm vs yarn vs pnpm question and pick the tool that fits your new needs.

Remember, the best package manager is the one your team actually uses consistently. Pick one, stick with it for a while, and focus on building great software rather than endlessly debating tools.