If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a lot of time using npm (Node Package Manager) to manage your project dependencies. It’s been around for a long time and works well for most developers. But sometimes, you might find yourself wondering if there’s something faster or better. That’s where NPM alternatives come in!
In this article, I’m going to share with you four popular alternatives to npm that can make your work easier: Yarn, PNPM, Bit, and Turbo. I’ll explain them in simple terms and share my personal experience with each one.
1. Yarn – Fast and Reliable
This is one of the best npm alternatives when i heard about, when npm was starting to feel slow, especially when working on big projects. Yarn promised to be faster and more reliable, so I decided to give it a try. And honestly, I was impressed.
Why I Like Yarn:
- It’s faster: Yarn installs everything at once, instead of one by one like npm. This makes it a lot faster when you’re working on bigger projects.
- It’s more reliable: Yarn makes sure that everyone on your team uses the same version of a package. This helps avoid problems like “It works on my computer, but not yours.”
- Works offline: If you’ve already installed a package before, this npm alternative, lets you install it again without needing the internet. This has saved me when I’ve been working on a plane or in a place with no Wi-Fi.
If you’re used to npm but still looking for some npm alternatives for faster experience, Yarn is a great choice.
2. PNPM – Super Fast and Saves Space
PNPM (short for “Performant NPM”) is again one of the npm alternatives that I really liked. It does things a little differently, but the results are great.
Why I Like PNPM:
- It saves space: Unlike npm and Yarn, PNPM doesn’t create multiple copies of the same package. It uses a global storage, so you don’t waste space storing the same packages in every project.
- It’s very fast: PNPM can install packages way faster than npm, especially if you’re working on many projects.
- It’s strict: PNPM makes sure that the dependencies (things your project needs) are set up correctly. This means fewer mistakes and fewer bugs.
If you’re working on a lot of projects or just want your computer to run faster, PNPM is a good choice. It saves time and space.
3. Bit – Share and Reuse Code Easily
I was searching for npm alternatives where i could reuse code across different projects, then i found Bit. Bit isn’t exactly the same as npm, Yarn, or PNPM. It’s more about managing and sharing smaller pieces of code, called components.
Why I Like Bit:
- It helps you share code: With Bit, you can easily share pieces of your project (called components) with other projects. For example, if you build a button in one project, you can use that same button in another project without copying the code over.
- Keeps track of versions: If you make changes to a component, Bit keeps track of the new version. So, if someone else is using your button in their project, they can update it to the latest version without any problems.
- Better organization: Bit organizes all your components and their dependencies in one place, which makes it easier to keep everything clean and tidy.
If you’re working on big projects with a lot of reusable code, Bit is a great way to keep things organized and avoid repeating yourself.
4. Turbo – Speed Up Your Builds
Turbo is a bit different from the other npm alternatives I’ve mentioned. It’s not just about managing packages. Turbo helps you build your projects faster, especially when you have many projects or a complex codebase.
Why I Like Turbo:
- It speeds up builds: If you’re working on a big project and it takes a long time to build or run, Turbo can make it much faster by reusing parts of your project that haven’t changed.
- It works well with monorepos: A monorepo is a setup where you keep many different projects in one place. Turbo helps manage those projects so they build faster and more smoothly.
- It’s easy to use: Turbo is simple to set up, and once it’s set up, it runs without much trouble unlike the other npm alternatives.
If you have a lot of projects and need to speed up how long it takes to build them, Turbo might be the tool for you. It makes working with big codebases faster and easier.
How to Choose the Right NPM Alternatives for You
Now that I’ve shared what I like about Yarn, PNPM, Bit, and Turbo, you might be wondering which one you should use. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:
- Choose Yarn if you want something that’s fast, reliable, and easy to use. It’s a great choice if you’re familiar with npm and just want a better version this is perfect alternative.
- Choose PNPM if you’re working with a lot of projects and need something super fast and space-efficient. It’s great if you have many dependencies and want to save time and space.
- Choose Bit if you want to organize your code better and share reusable components between projects. It’s perfect for bigger projects with lots of shared code.
- Choose Turbo if you’re tired of waiting for long build times, especially if you’re working in a monorepo with many different projects. It makes your builds faster.
Every tool has its strengths. I suggest trying them out on a small project and seeing which one fits your needs the best.
Final Thoughts
Switching from npm to something else doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, trying out an NPM alternatives can make your life easier. Whether it’s Yarn for speed, PNPM for saving space, Bit for sharing code, or Turbo for faster builds, each of these tools has something special to offer.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s all about finding what works best for your projects. And remember, the right tool can save you a lot of time and frustration.
Happy coding!
