Compare npm Downloads and GitHub Stars with NPMStars by BasicUtils

#npm #github #npmtrends #starhistory

As developers, we’ve all asked:

"Is this package actually popular?"

"How does it compare to similar libraries?"

"Is this project actively gaining traction on GitHub?"

The problem is — our signals are scattered.

npm shows downloads.

GitHub shows stars and contributions.

But there's no easy way to view both side-by-side.

That’s exactly why I built NpmStars.

🚀 What Is NpmStars?

NpmStars is a fast, no-login tool that connects the dots between a package’s npm downloads and its GitHub popularity.

It gives you a single dashboard to:

📦 Track npm downloads — daily, weekly, monthly, and total
⭐ Visualize GitHub star growth over time
📊 View side-by-side comparison graphs
🔗 Share or embed trend snapshots anywhere
🧠 No API key, no setup — just search and go

🔍 npmtrends vs star-history vs NpmStars

You may have used tools like:

npmtrends.com — great for comparing download counts
star-history.com — great for visualizing GitHub stars over time

But these tools only show half the story.

You need to bounce between tabs, retype package names, and mentally combine the data.

That’s where NpmStars stands out:

Feature	npmtrends	star-history	NpmStars ✅
npm downloads comparison	✅	❌	✅
GitHub star growth	❌	✅	✅
Combined dashboard view	❌	❌	✅
No login / fast search	✅	✅	✅

With NpmStars, you get both perspectives — together — in seconds.

💡 Why This Matters

A package might have:

📈 High downloads but stagnant stars (legacy usage)
🌱 Low downloads but fast-rising stars (emerging trend)
🛑 Or it may be downloaded often but poorly maintained

When you can see both npm and GitHub data in one view, you get the full picture:

✅ Spot rising libraries early
✅ Pick tools with momentum
✅ Back up decisions with real-world signals

🧪 Real-World Use Cases

🔍 Compare libraries like zustand vs jotai or vite vs webpack
📈 Track the health of your favorite open-source tools
📚 Use embedded graphs in blog posts or documentation
🧠 Make smarter picks for client or team projects

🔗 Try It Now

👉 Visit NpmStars

Start with any package — tailwindcss, express, shadcn/ui, or your own.

💬 I’d Love Your Feedback!

If you find NpmStars helpful — share it, write about it, or let me know what could make it better.

Let’s make evaluating packages faster and smarter 💡

More tools at basicutils.com