JavaScript development has long relied on package managers to simplify dependency management, project setup, and script execution. For years, npm has been the default choice, powering millions of projects. However, with the rise of Bun, a modern JavaScript runtime that includes its own package manager, developers are asking, which one should you use? Here we can discuss that.

What Is NPM?

NPM (Node Package Manager) is the most popular package manager for JavaScript and comes with Node.js. It provides:

• A registry of millions of packages.
• Tools to install, update, and remove dependencies.
• Support for scripts to automate development tasks.
• Node.js compatibility makes it the de facto standard.

What Is Bun?

Bun is a modern all-in-one JavaScript runtime that competes with Node.js and Deno. Alongside its runtime, Bun introduces its own package manager with a focus on performance and simplicity. It offers:

• Extremely fast installs (often several times faster than npm).
• A single binary that includes runtime, package manager, and bundler.
• Compatibility with npm’s package registry.
• Features like TypeScript support out of the box.

Performance Comparison

One of Bun’s biggest selling points is speed.

• npm: While reliable, npm can feel slow for large projects due to the way it handles dependency resolution and disk operations.
• Bun: Uses an optimized dependency installer written in Zig, reducing installation time drastically. Installing hundreds of packages can take seconds instead of minutes.

Ecosystem and Compatibility

• npm: Has been around since 2010 and has the most mature ecosystem. Nearly all Node.js projects and frameworks assume npm or a compatible manager (like Yarn or pnpm).
• Bun: Fully compatible with the npm registry, meaning you can install any package you would normally use with npm. However, since Bun is newer, some edge cases and advanced workflows may not yet work as seamlessly.

Features Beyond Installation

• npm: Focuses primarily on package management and scripts. It pairs with Node.js for execution.
• Bun: Goes beyond package management. It also acts as a runtime, bundler, and test runner, aiming to be an all-in-one toolchain.

Developer Experience

• npm: Stable and predictable. Most tutorials, documentation, and CI/CD pipelines already support npm by default.
• Bun: Designed with simplicity in mind. Configuration overhead is decreased by better defaults, integrated tools, and fewer commands.

When Should You Use Bun or NPM?

Choose npm if:

1. You work on production applications that need maximum stability.
2. You rely on tools and pipelines tightly integrated with npm.
3. Your team prioritizes proven reliability over cutting-edge performance.

Choose Bun if:

1. You want blazing-fast installs and modern tooling.
2. You’re building a new project and can experiment with newer technology.
3. You prefer an integrated runtime, bundler, and package manager in one.

Conclusion

Bun is an exciting alternative that rethinks JavaScript tooling with performance and simplicity in mind. It can dramatically speed up development workflows, but npm remains the most stable and widely supported option.

If you’re starting fresh or experimenting, Bun is worth trying. For production-critical projects with established workflows, npm still provides unmatched stability.