To install Node.js on Linux, follow these methods based on your distribution and needs:

1. Using Default Package Manager

Quick installation, but may provide older versions.

Ubuntu/Debian

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm
node -v && npm -v  # Verify installation

Fedora

sudo dnf install nodejs npm
node -v && npm -v

CentOS/RHEL

sudo yum install nodejs npm
node -v && npm -v

2. Using NodeSource Repository (Latest Versions)

Recommended for newer Node.js versions.

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Ubuntu/Debian

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Fedora/CentOS/RHEL

curl -fsSL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo bash -
sudo dnf install -y nodejs  # For Fedora
# OR
sudo yum install -y nodejs  # For CentOS/RHEL

3. Using Node Version Manager (nvm)

Best for managing multiple Node.js versions.

1. Install nvm:

   curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash
   source ~/.bashrc  # Restart terminal or reload profile

2. Install a Node.js version:

   nvm install 20  # Latest v20.x.x
   nvm use 20       # Switch to version

3. List available versions:

   nvm ls-remote  # View all versions
   nvm ls          # View installed versions

4. Using Snap (Universal Packages)

Works on Snap-supported systems (e.g., Ubuntu).

sudo snap install node --classic --channel=20

Verify Installation

Check installed versions:

node -v  # Should return e.g., v20.x.x
npm -v   # Should return e.g., 10.x.x

Additional Notes

• Global npm Packages: Avoid sudo with npm. Use nvm or configure a user directory.
• Build Tools: Required for compiling native modules (e.g., node-gyp):

  sudo apt install build-essential  # Ubuntu/Debian
  sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools"  # Fedora/CentOS

Troubleshooting

• Command Not Found: Ensure paths are set correctly (especially after using nvm).
• Version Conflicts: Remove existing Node.js installations before using a new method:

  sudo apt purge nodejs npm  # Ubuntu/Debian
  sudo dnf remove nodejs    # Fedora/CentOS

Choose the method that best fits your workflow. For most users, NodeSource or nvm is recommended for up-to-date versions.

Difference Between Installing Node.js Using apt and NVM on Linux

Package Manager (apt) Installation

Advantages:

• Simplicity: One-line command installation
• System-wide access: Available to all users on the system
• Dependency management: Automatically handles dependencies
• Stability: Installs stable, tested versions for your distribution

Disadvantages:

• Outdated versions: Repository versions are often behind the latest Node.js releases
• Single version: Only one Node.js version can be installed system-wide
• Root privileges: Requires sudo access for installation and updates
• Update limitations: Tied to your distribution’s update cycle

NVM (Node Version Manager) Installation

Advantages:

• Multiple versions: Install and switch between different Node.js versions
• User-specific: Doesn’t require root privileges
• Project isolation: Use different Node.js versions for different projects
• Latest releases: Easy access to the newest Node.js versions
• Version-specific commands: Run commands with specific Node.js versions
• Easy upgrades/downgrades: Switch versions with a simple command

Disadvantages:

• User-specific only: Not system-wide by default
• Shell configuration: Requires modifications to shell initialization files
• Extra layer: Adds complexity compared to direct installation
• Manual PATH setup: May require manual configuration for some tools

When to Choose Each Method

Use apt when:

• You need a stable system-wide installation
• You’re setting up a production server with fixed Node.js requirements
• You prefer simplicity over version flexibility
• You’re fine with potentially older Node.js versions

Use NVM when:

• You’re a developer working on multiple projects
• You need to test code across different Node.js versions
• You want to easily upgrade to the latest releases
• You need to switch between versions regularly

NVM is particularly valuable for development environments, while apt installation may be sufficient for simpler use cases or production servers with stable version requirements.

Can I Install node.js Without Installing Npm?

Yes, you can install Node.js without npm, but it requires some specific approaches since the standard installation methods typically bundle them together. Here are your options:

1. Binary Installation with Manual Removal

You can download the Node.js binary distribution and remove npm afterward:

# Download and extract Node.js binary
VERSION=20.11.1
wget https://nodejs.org/dist/v$VERSION/node-v$VERSION-linux-x64.tar.xz
tar -xf node-v$VERSION-linux-x64.tar.xz
sudo mv node-v$VERSION-linux-x64 /opt/nodejs

# Add Node.js to PATH
echo 'export PATH=$PATH:/opt/nodejs/bin' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

# Optionally remove npm
rm -rf /opt/nodejs/lib/node_modules/npm
rm /opt/nodejs/bin/npm
rm /opt/nodejs/bin/npx

2. Building from Source

You can compile Node.js from source with npm disabled:

# Install build dependencies (Ubuntu/Debian example)
sudo apt install -y python3 make g++

# Download and extract source
wget https://nodejs.org/dist/v20.11.1/node-v20.11.1.tar.gz
tar -xzf node-v20.11.1.tar.gz
cd node-v20.11.1

# Configure without npm
./configure --without-npm

# Build and install
make -j$(nproc)
sudo make install

3. Using Docker

Create a minimal Node.js Docker image without npm:

FROM alpine:3.18
RUN apk add --no-cache nodejs --repository="http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/"
RUN rm -rf /usr/lib/node_modules

Important Considerations

• Package Management: Without npm, you’ll need alternative ways to manage dependencies
• Global Tools: Many Node.js utilities rely on npm for installation
• Script Running: Without npm, you can’t use npm scripts defined in package.json
• Updates: Managing updates becomes more manual