Yarn vs pnpm: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Yarn 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:
Yarn
Fast and reliable JavaScript package manager
Best for you if:
- • Yarn is a fast, reliable package manager for JavaScript
- • It provides deterministic installs with workspace support for monorepos
pnpm
Fast, disk space efficient package manager
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • Fast, disk-efficient package manager using hard links
- • Strict node_modules prevents phantom dependencies
| At a Glance |  Yarn |  pnpm |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | API Tools | API Tools |
Rating | 85/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Yarn | pnpm |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | API ToolsTerminal Tools | API ToolsTerminal Tools |
How Yarn and pnpm Compare
Yarn
Fast and reliable JavaScript package manager
Free · 85/100 score
pnpm
Fast, disk space efficient package manager
Free · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Yarn
Want the highest-rated option?
Yarn: 85/100. pnpm: 88/100.
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?
Both are api tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
pnpm scores higher: 88/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
pnpm
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 85
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Yarn
The Bottom Line
pnpm (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yarn or pnpm better?
pnpm scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Yarn and pnpm used for?
Yarn: Fast and reliable JavaScript package manager. pnpm: Fast, disk space efficient package manager.
What does Yarn cost vs pnpm?
Yarn is completely free. pnpm is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.