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Comparison guide

Npm vs Pnpm

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

Hero image for Npm vs Pnpm
  1. npm

    a package manager for JavaScript

    Downloads unavailable · 842.0 B gzip · Health 67/100

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  2. pnpm

    Fast, disk space efficient package manager

    Downloads unavailable · 1.2 MB gzip · Health 67/100

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Choosing between Npm and Pnpm? 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

Weekly download data is unavailable for Npm. Weekly download data is unavailable for Pnpm. Missing data is not zero downloads. We cannot compare download activity until all counts are available.

Bundle Size

Npm has the smallest gzipped bundle at 842.0 B. Pnpm comes in at 1.2 MB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

Npm has an overall health score of 67/100 (good), with strong maintenance, security scores. Pnpm has an overall health score of 67/100 (good), with strong maintenance, security scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics. Download data is incomplete; these composite scores include a fallback popularity input and should not determine an overall winner.

When to Choose Each

Choose Npm if you value minimal bundle footprint, actively maintained, strong security track record. Choose Pnpm if you value actively maintained, strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Download data is incomplete for this comparison of Npm and Pnpm. We are not selecting an overall winner from incomplete metrics. Compare the available bundle, maintenance, and quality information against your project's requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is npm better than pnpm?
It depends on your needs. Npm has a health score of 67/100 while Pnpm scores 67/100. Weekly download data is incomplete, so no popularity ranking is available. Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
Which has a smaller bundle size, npm or pnpm?
Npm has the smaller gzipped bundle at 842.0 B. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
How many developers use npm vs pnpm?
Weekly download data is incomplete, so no popularity ranking is available. Download counts reflect package installations, not unique developers.
Which is better maintained, npm or pnpm?
Npm has a maintenance score of 100/100. Npm scores 100/100 and Pnpm scores 100/100 on maintenance.

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