Npm Trends vs Packagephobia: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Npm Trends and Packagephobia 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.
Bottom line: Npm Trends wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick. Pick Packagephobia if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Npm Trends
Compare NPM package download counts over time.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Packagephobia requires payment)
- • You want free to use
- • You want easy to compare package popularity
Packagephobia
Understand the true cost of adding a new npm package to your project.
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely fast and easy to use
- • You want provides critical performance insights
| At a Glance | Npm Trends | Packagephobia |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | No overage fees | n/a |
Choose Npm Trends or Packagephobia?
Choose Npm Trends if
Compare NPM package download counts over time.
- You want a fully free tool (Packagephobia requires payment)
- You want free to use
- You want easy to compare package popularity
Choose Packagephobia if
Understand the true cost of adding a new npm package to your project.
- You want extremely fast and easy to use
- You want provides critical performance insights
| Feature | Npm Trends | Packagephobia |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Developer ToolsData Visualization | Developer ToolsUI/UX Design |
In-Depth Analysis
Npm Trends
Compare NPM package download counts over time.
Npm Trends offers a completely free service, which is incredibly generous.
Watch out
No overage fees
Strengths
- +Free to use
- +Easy to compare package popularity
- +Provides historical download data
- +Helps in making informed dependency choices
Weaknesses
- -Limited to NPM packages
- -No advanced analytics beyond download counts
Key features
Packagephobia
Understand the true cost of adding a new npm package to your project.
Strengths
- +Extremely fast and easy to use
- +Provides critical performance insights
- +Helps in making informed dependency choices
- +No installation required, web-based
- +Supports a vast number of npm packages
Weaknesses
- -Only provides size information, not other metrics like download count or security vulnerabilities
- -Relies on public npm registry data, so private packages are not supported
- -No historical data or trend analysis for package sizes
Key features
Pricing: Npm Trends vs Packagephobia
| Plan | Npm Trends | Packagephobia |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Npm Trends pricing and Packagephobia pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Npm Trends is free. Packagephobia is freemium.
Go with: Npm Trends
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings, compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call, neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Npm Trends is free. Packagephobia is freemium. Go with Npm Trends if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are developer tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Npm Trends
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Packagephobia
- Choose if you want understand the true cost of adding a new npm package to your project
The Bottom Line
Npm Trends wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Npm Trends or Packagephobia better?
Npm Trends is rated in our evaluation. Npm Trends is free and Packagephobia is freemium.
What are Npm Trends and Packagephobia used for?
Npm Trends: Compare NPM package download counts over time.. Packagephobia: Understand the true cost of adding a new npm package to your project..
What does Npm Trends cost vs Packagephobia?
Npm Trends is completely free. Packagephobia is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.