esm.sh vs jsDelivr: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between esm.sh and jsDelivr comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
esm.sh
Serve NPM packages as modern ES modules directly in browsers and Deno, no build tools needed.
Best for you if:
- • You need cdn features specifically
- • Serves NPM packages as ES modules directly to browsers/Deno.
- • Eliminates the need for build tools and local package installations.
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • jsDelivr is a free CDN for open-source projects hosted on npm and GitHub
- • It serves JavaScript libraries with global distribution and automatic minification
| At a Glance |  esm.sh |  jsDelivr |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | CDN | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | —/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | esm.sh | jsDelivr |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CDN | Hosting & DeploymentCDN |
How esm.sh and jsDelivr Compare
esm.sh
Serve NPM packages as modern ES modules directly in browsers and Deno, no build tools needed.
Free
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
Free · 88/100 score
esm.sh is a cdn tool. jsDelivr is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: esm.sh
Want the highest-rated option?
jsDelivr scores 88/100. esm.sh is unrated.
Go with: jsDelivr
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: jsDelivr
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
esm.sh is a cdn tool. jsDelivr is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
jsDelivr
- Higher score: 88/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
esm.sh
- Better fit for cdn
The Bottom Line
jsDelivr (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is esm.sh or jsDelivr better?
jsDelivr scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are esm.sh and jsDelivr used for?
esm.sh: Serve NPM packages as modern ES modules directly in browsers and Deno, no build tools needed.. jsDelivr: Free CDN for open source packages.
What does esm.sh cost vs jsDelivr?
esm.sh is completely free. jsDelivr is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.