esm.sh vs jsDelivr: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for esm.sh and jsDelivr side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, 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 want simplifies modern web development by removing build steps
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
Best for you if:
- • You want free CDN for npm/GitHub
| At a Glance | esm.sh | jsDelivr |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | CDN Hosting & Deployment | CDN Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | n/a | 3.9/5 G2 3.9 148 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose esm.sh or jsDelivr?
Choose esm.sh if
- You want simplifies modern web development by removing build steps
- You want provides direct access to a vast ecosystem of NPM packages
Choose jsDelivr if
- You want free CDN for npm/GitHub
- You want fast global network
In-Depth Analysis
esm.sh
Serve NPM packages as modern ES modules directly in browsers and Deno, no build tools needed.
Strengths
- Pro: Simplifies modern web development by removing build steps
- Pro: Provides direct access to a vast ecosystem of NPM packages
- Pro: Optimizes performance through bundling and tree shaking options
- Pro: Supports various module registries for flexibility
Weaknesses
- Con: Reliance on an external CDN for module delivery
- Con: URL-based configuration can become lengthy for complex setups
- Con: Potential for issues if CDN experiences downtime or performance degradation
Key features
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
jsDelivr's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it offers a completely free CDN service for open-source packages, npm, and GitHub files with unlimited bandwidth.
Strengths
- Pro: Free CDN for npm/GitHub
- Pro: Fast global network
- Pro: No configuration
- Pro: Good uptime
- Pro: Multi-CDN
Weaknesses
- Con: No custom domains
- Con: Limited analytics
- Con: No origin support
- Con: For public packages only
- Con: Rate limits possible
Key features
Key Takeaways
esm.sh
- Choose if you want serve NPM packages as modern ES modules directly in browsers and Deno, no build tools needed
jsDelivr
- Choose if you want free CDN for open source packages
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only jsDelivr has a published user rating (3.9/5 from 148 reviews); esm.sh has none we can show.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do esm.sh and jsDelivr compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only jsDelivr has a published user rating (3.9/5 from 148 reviews); esm.sh has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
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 free. jsDelivr is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 4, 2026.
What's the main difference between esm.sh and jsDelivr?
esm.sh's main strength: simplifies modern web development by removing build steps. jsDelivr's main strength: free CDN for npm/GitHub.