When starting a JavaScript project, one of the first decisions you’ll face is: Should I use npm or Yarn? Both are package managers that help you install, update, and manage dependencies, but they have key differences in speed, reliability, and features. Learn JavaScript development in abuja.
In this guide, we’ll compare npm (Node Package Manager, the default choice) and Yarn (Facebook’s alternative), helping you decide which one fits your workflow best.
1. What Are npm and Yarn?
npm (Node Package Manager)
- Default package manager for Node.js (installed automatically with Node).
- Largest registry of open-source libraries (
npmjs.com). - Uses a
package-lock.jsonfile to lock dependency versions. - Why You Should Learn Software Development
Yarn (Yet Another Resource Negotiator)
- Created by Facebook in 2016 to solve npm’s early performance issues.
- Introduced faster installs and deterministic dependency resolution.
- Uses
yarn.lockfor version locking.
2. Key Differences: npm vs. Yarn
| Feature | npm | Yarn |
|---|---|---|
| Install Speed | Slower (sequential installs) | Faster (parallel installs) |
| Lock Files | package-lock.json | yarn.lock |
| Offline Mode | Limited support | Strong offline caching |
| Security | Good (audit built-in) | Slightly better (checksum verification) |
| CLI Usability | Verbose commands (npm install) | Cleaner (yarn add) |
| Workspaces | Supported (since v7) | Better multi-project support |
| Monorepos | Possible (with workspaces) | Optimized for monorepos |
3. Performance: Which Is Faster?
Installation Speed
- Yarn wins due to parallel downloads and caching.
- npm improved in recent versions but is still slightly slower.
Disk Space Usage
- npm uses a flattened dependency tree, reducing duplicates.
- Yarn caches aggressively, which can use more disk space but speeds up reinstalls.
4. Reliability & Security
Dependency Resolution
- Yarn was designed to avoid “dependency hell” (inconsistent installs).
- npm now has predictable installs thanks to
package-lock.json.
Security
- Both have vulnerability scanning (
npm audit/yarn audit). - Yarn verifies package integrity with checksums.
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5. Developer Experience
CLI Commands
- Yarn has shorter, more intuitive commands:
yarn add lodash # vs. npm install lodash
yarn remove lodash # vs. npm uninstall lodash
yarn upgrade # vs. npm update- npm improved with
npx(running binaries without global installs).
Workspaces (Monorepo Support)
- Yarn has better built-in monorepo support (e.g., managing multiple projects in one repo).
- npm added workspaces in v7, but Yarn’s implementation is more mature.
6. Which One Should You Use?
Choose npm if:
✔ You want the default, widely supported option.
✔ You prefer smaller node_modules (flattened structure).
✔ You work on small to medium projects.
Choose Yarn if:
✔ You need faster installs (especially in CI/CD).
✔ You work with monorepos (like React Native).
✔ You prefer cleaner CLI commands.
Alternative: pnpm
If speed and disk space matter most, consider pnpm, which stores dependencies in a shared global store, reducing duplication.
7. The Verdict
- For most developers: npm is fine (it’s improved a lot).
- For large projects/monorepos: Yarn is better optimized.
- For speed & efficiency: pnpm is worth testing.
Final Tip: If you’re working on a team, stick to what the project already uses to avoid conflicts.
What’s Your Experience?
Do you prefer npm, Yarn, or pnpm? Share your thoughts in the comments!
