The JS ecosystem has evolved MASSIVELY. Here's your 2025 cheat sheet:
π¦ PACKAGE MANAGERS
npm - The reliable classic
β
Comes with Node.js (zero setup)
β
Massive ecosystem, battle-tested
β Slower installs, bloated node_modules
Best for: Teams wanting stability over speed
Yarn - The Meta powerhouse
β
Lightning-fast installs + smart caching
β
Plug'n'Play mode = no node_modules chaos
β Yarn 2+ syntax changes might trip you up
Best for: Speed-obsessed teams with CI/CD focus
pnpm - The efficiency king
β
Fastest traditional manager + saves 70% disk space
β
Symlinks = one global store, multiple projects
β Still the "new kid" (but growing fast)
Best for: Monorepos and storage-conscious devs
βοΈ GAME-CHANGING RUNTIMES
Bun - The Swiss Army knife
β
Package manager + test runner + bundler in ONE tool
β
Written in Zig = insanely fast
β Still maturing (some compatibility gaps)
Best for: Early adopters who want everything
Deno - The security-first rebel
β
Created by Node's original author to "fix" Node.js
β
Secure by default + built-in formatter/linter/tests
β Smaller ecosystem (but growing)
Best for: Security-conscious teams building modern apps
π― MY HONEST TAKE:
β Switching from npm? Try pnpm first (easiest migration)
β Starting fresh? Consider Bun for greenfield projects
β Enterprise team? Stick with npm/Yarn until Bun/Deno mature
β Security-critical app? Deno is worth the learning curve
The real question isn't "which is best?" β it's "which solves YOUR biggest pain point?"
What's your current setup? Drop your stack in the comments!
I'm especially curious:
Who's tried Bun in production?
Any pnpm converts here?
Deno success stories?
Let's share war stories! π
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