npm vs pnpm: The Ultimate Command Comparison Cheat Sheet

pnpm and npm are both package managers for JavaScript, but they handle dependency installation and management differently. Direct command translation between npm and pnpm is nearly 1:1—most operations you run in npm can be run in pnpm with the same arguments, but under the hood, pnpm is typically faster and far more disk-efficient due to its unique content-addressable storage approach and symlinking strategy.

Below is a direct, command-by-command comparison between npm and pnpm for common package management tasks. The table uses npm as the reference, with the equivalent pnpm command, and notes any important behavioral differences.

Task	npm Command	pnpm Command	Notes
Initialize project	npm init	pnpm init	Both create package.json; behavior identical.
Install all dependencies	npm install	pnpm install	pnpm uses a global store and symlinks for speed/space; npm duplicates packages.
Add dependency	npm add <package>	pnpm add <package>	Both save to package.json by default; options like --save-dev work the same.
Add dev dependency	npm add -D <package>	pnpm add -D <package>	Both add to devDependencies.
Add optional dependency	npm add -O <package>	pnpm add -O <package>	Both add to optionalDependencies.
Add global package	npm add -g <package>	pnpm add -g <package>	pnpm's global store is more efficient.
Remove package	npm remove <package>	pnpm remove <package>	Both remove from package.json and node_modules.
Update package	npm update <package>	pnpm update <package>	pnpm updates from its global store, often faster.
Check outdated packages	npm outdated	pnpm outdated	Both show outdated packages.
Run script	npm run <script>	pnpm <script>	pnpm does not require run keyword if script exists in package.json.
Run command	npx <command>	pnpm dlx <command>	pnpm uses dlx to download and run commands like npx.
Prune node_modules	npm prune	pnpm prune	pnpm always removes extraneous/orphaned packages, no package args allowed.
List installed packages	npm ls	pnpm ls	Both list dependency trees.
Audit for vulnerabilities	npm audit	pnpm audit	Both check for security issues.
Install pnpm globally	npm install -g pnpm	–	pnpm can be installed via npm or other methods.

Key Differences Under the Hood

• Installation Speed & Disk Space: pnpm is typically much faster and uses far less disk space than npm, especially in large projects, because it stores each package version once globally and symlinks into project node_modules.
• Dependency Resolution: pnpm enforces strict dependency resolution, which can help avoid "phantom" dependencies (packages not listed in package.json but still accessible). npm’s flattened node_modules can sometimes allow this.
• Monorepo/Workspaces: pnpm has built-in, optimized support for monorepos and workspaces; npm requires extra configuration for similar features.
• Ecosystem: npm has the largest ecosystem and widest compatibility; pnpm’s is growing but smaller.
• Global Store: pnpm’s global store is a major architectural difference—reducing duplication across all projects on your system.

When to Use Which

• Use npm if you want maximum ecosystem compatibility, are working on small projects, or need the broadest community support.
• Use pnpm if you value disk space, installation speed, strict dependency isolation, or are managing large projects/monorepos.

Summary

For most day-to-day commands, just replace npm with pnpm. The key differences are internal (speed, disk usage, dependency resolution), not in the command syntax. However, pnpm’s architecture means your projects will install faster, use less disk space, and be more strictly isolated—benefits that grow with project size and complexity.

If you need a specific npm command translated to pnpm that isn’t listed above, just ask—the mapping is nearly always straightforward!