npm vs Bun: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between npm and Bun 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:
npm
The world's largest software registry
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • npm is the package manager for JavaScript and the world's largest registry
- • It installs, shares, and manages JavaScript dependencies for projects
Bun
Fast JavaScript runtime and package manager
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Bun is an all-in-one JavaScript runtime and toolkit designed for speed
- • It provides a bundler, test runner, and package manager that's dramatically faster than Node
| At a Glance |  npm |  Bun |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 90/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | npm | Bun |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 90 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools |
How npm and Bun Compare
npm
The world's largest software registry
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Bun
Fast JavaScript runtime and package manager
Free · 85/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Bun is free. npm is freemium.
Go with: Bun
Want the highest-rated option?
npm: 90/100. Bun: 85/100.
Go with: npm
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: npm
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
npm is freemium. Bun is free. Go with Bun if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
npm scores higher: 90/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
npm
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 85
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Bun
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
npm (90/100) is our pick. That said, Bun is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is npm or Bun better?
npm scores 90/100 in our evaluation. npm is freemium and Bun is free.
What are npm and Bun used for?
npm: The world's largest software registry. Bun: Fast JavaScript runtime and package manager.
What does npm cost vs Bun?
npm is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Bun is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.