cross-env
Run scripts that set and use environment variables across platforms
15.4M weekly downloads · 3.4 KB gzip · Health 61/100
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Comparison guide
Cross-env vs Dotenv
Side-by-side NPM package comparison
Quick Verdict
Smallest Bundle
Cross-env
3.4 KB gzipped
Most Popular
Dotenv
112.1M weekly downloads
Best Maintained
Dotenv
100/100 maintenance score
Highest Quality
Cross-env
50/100 quality score
Overall Pick
Dotenv
Best all-around based on popularity, size, maintenance & quality
dotenv
Loads environment variables from .env file
112.1M weekly downloads · 4.5 KB gzip · Health 85/100
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Choosing between Cross-env and Dotenv? Here's a data-driven comparison based on real npm data — downloads, bundle size, health scores, and more — to help you decide which package fits your project best.
Downloads & Popularity
Dotenv leads with 112.1M weekly downloads — roughly 7.3x more. Cross-env has 15.4M weekly downloads. Higher download counts generally indicate broader community adoption and a larger ecosystem of tutorials, plugins, and support.
Bundle Size
Cross-env has the smallest gzipped bundle at 3.4 KB. Dotenv comes in at 4.5 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.
Health Score Comparison
Dotenv has an overall health score of 85/100 (very good), with strong maintenance, security, popularity scores. Cross-env has an overall health score of 61/100 (good), with strong security, popularity scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics.
When to Choose Each
Choose Cross-env if you value massive community and ecosystem, minimal bundle footprint, strong security track record. Choose Dotenv if you value massive community and ecosystem, minimal bundle footprint, actively maintained, strong security track record.
Our Verdict
Both Cross-env and Dotenv are solid choices for JavaScript development. Dotenv has the edge in overall health score (85/100), while each package brings unique strengths to the table. Evaluate them based on your project's priorities — whether that's community size, bundle efficiency, or maintenance activity — and choose the one that aligns best with your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is cross-env better than dotenv?
- It depends on your needs. Cross-env has a health score of 61/100 while Dotenv scores 85/100. Dotenv has more recorded weekly downloads (112.1M). Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
- Which has a smaller bundle size, cross-env or dotenv?
- Cross-env has the smaller gzipped bundle at 3.4 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
- How many developers use cross-env vs dotenv?
- Dotenv has more recorded weekly downloads (112.1M). Download counts reflect package installations, not unique developers.
- Which is better maintained, cross-env or dotenv?
- Dotenv has a maintenance score of 100/100. Cross-env scores 20/100 and Dotenv scores 100/100 on maintenance.
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