Lerna vs pnpm: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Lerna and pnpm 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:
Lerna
A fast, modern build system for managing and publishing multiple JavaScript/TypeScript packages.
Best for you if:
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Manages and publishes multiple JavaScript/TypeScript packages in monorepos.
- • Offers fast, efficient task execution with advanced caching and parallelization.
pnpm
Fast, disk space efficient package manager
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • Fast, disk-efficient package manager using hard links
- • Strict node_modules prevents phantom dependencies
| At a Glance |  Lerna |  pnpm |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | CI/CD | API Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Lerna | pnpm |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CD | API ToolsTerminal Tools |
How Lerna and pnpm Compare
Lerna
A fast, modern build system for managing and publishing multiple JavaScript/TypeScript packages.
Free
pnpm
Fast, disk space efficient package manager
Free · 88/100 score
Lerna is a ci/cd tool. pnpm is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Lerna
Want the highest-rated option?
pnpm scores 88/100. Lerna is unrated.
Go with: pnpm
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: pnpm
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?
Lerna is a ci/cd tool. pnpm is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
pnpm
- Higher score: 88/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Lerna
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
pnpm (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lerna or pnpm better?
pnpm scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Lerna and pnpm used for?
Lerna: A fast, modern build system for managing and publishing multiple JavaScript/TypeScript packages.. pnpm: Fast, disk space efficient package manager.
What does Lerna cost vs pnpm?
Lerna is completely free. pnpm is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.