Comparison of node version managers
|
Name |
Platform |
Mechanism |
Language |
Global modules |
Directories |
Notes |
|
2033 stars |
Windows |
Directory symlink |
Go |
Per-version (but not per-arch, so switching arch can be problematic for native modules) |
· Installs to AppData\Roaming\nvm · Downloads node binaries under AppData\Roaming\nvm · Directory symlink is created at Program Files\nodejs, pointing to AppData\Roaming\nvm\NODEVERSION · Global modules are installed under AppData\Roaming\nvm\NODEVERSION\node_modules |
· Always uses matching NPM version. · Pops 2 UAC prompts when switching node versions. · When switching arch, swaps filenames between node32.exe, node64.exe, node.exe |
|
583 stars |
Windows |
Shim EXEs |
Go |
Shared across all versions & architectures |
· Installs to Program Files (x86)\Nodist (nothing under 64bit Program Files) · Downloads node binaries (incl. x64) under Program Files (x86)\Nodist · Global modules are installed under Program Files (x86)\Nodist\bin\node_modules |
· NPM version can be managed separately (npm is also shimmed). · Does not pop any UAC prompts when downloading or switching. · Shim launches node/npm executable as a 2nd process. |
|
492 stars |
Windows |
Edits PATH |
Batch script, WSH JS |
Shared across all versions & architectures |
· No installer: git clone and add to path · Downloads node binaries under the nvmw directory. · Global modules are installed in their default location, AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules |
· No longer maintained |
|
14875 stars |
Mac/Linux |
Edits PATH |
Shell scripts |
Per-version (does not support switching arch) |
· Installs to ~/.nvm (or other configured location) · Downloads node binaries under ~/.nvm/versions · Global modules are installed under ~/.nvm/versions/node/NODEVERSION |
· Always uses matching NPM version. · Always uses matching architecture (cannot use 32-bit node on 64bit system). |
|
5079 stars |
Mac/Linux |
Copies binaries |
Shell scripts |
Shared across all versions & architectures |
· Installs to ~/n (or other configured location) · Downloads node binaries under ~/n/n/versions/node · Global modules are installed under ~/n/lib |
· Always uses matching NPM version. · Claims to support switching architectures, but it didn't work for me. |
|
967 stars |
Mac/Linux |
Edits PATH |
Shell scripts |
Per-version (does not support switching arch) |
· Downloads node binaries under ~/.nave/installed · Global modules are installed under ~/.nave/installed/NODEVERSION |
· Creates a new sub-shell with modified PATH. · Always uses matching NPM version. · Always uses matching architecture (cannot use 32-bit node on 64bit system). · Also allows installing a selected version globally to /usr/local/bin. |
|
598 stars |
Mac/Linux |
Directory symlink |
Perl |
Per-version (does not support switching arch) |
· Installs to ~/.nodebrew (or other configured location) · Downloads node binares (or compiles from source) under ~/.nodebrew/node · Global modules are installed under ~/.nodebrew/node/NODEVERSION |
· Always uses matching NPM version. · Always uses matching architecture (cannot use 32-bit node on 64bit system). |
|
255 stars |
Mac/Linux |
Shim scripts |
Shell scripts |
Per-version (does not support switching arch) |
· Installs to ~/.nodenv (or other configured location) · Downloads node binaries under ~/.nodenv/versions · Global modules are installed under ~/.nodenv/versions/NODEVERSION |
· Manages distinct local, global, and shell-specific node versions. · Always uses matching architecture (cannot use 32-bit node on 64bit system). |
|
(new) |
Windows Mac/Linux |
Edits PATH
Optional directory symlinks |
JavaScript, w/ shell script bootstrap |
Per-version Per-arch Per-remote |
· Unix: Installs to ~/.nvs (per-user), /usr/local (per-system) or other configured location. · Windows: Installs to AppData\Local\nvs (per-user), ProgramData\nvs (per-system) or other configured location. · Downloads node binaries under install directory. |
· Always uses matching NPM version. · Supports configuring and switching between multiple remote sources (forks). · Supports switching architectures. · Consistent semantics across Windows & non-Windows platforms
|