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.
npmjs.com
).package-lock.json
file to lock dependency versions.yarn.lock
for version locking.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 |
package-lock.json
.npm audit
/ yarn audit
). yarn add lodash # vs. npm install lodash
yarn remove lodash # vs. npm uninstall lodash
yarn upgrade # vs. npm update
npx
(running binaries without global installs).✔ You want the default, widely supported option.
✔ You prefer smaller node_modules (flattened structure).
✔ You work on small to medium projects.
✔ You need faster installs (especially in CI/CD).
✔ You work with monorepos (like React Native).
✔ You prefer cleaner CLI commands.
If speed and disk space matter most, consider pnpm, which stores dependencies in a shared global store, reducing duplication.
Final Tip: If you’re working on a team, stick to what the project already uses to avoid conflicts.
Do you prefer npm, Yarn, or pnpm? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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