Compare
GitHub vs npm
Short answer: Pick GitHub if you want repository hosting with integrated CI/CD; pick npm if you want public and private JavaScript package hosting. GitHub has a free plan, paid from $4/month per user; npm has a free plan, paid from $7/month.
GitHubWhere developers host code, review pull requests and run CI
npmThe package manager and registry for JavaScriptWhich to pick
Pick GitHub if you want…
- Repository hosting with integrated CI/CD
- Code collaboration and CI
Pick npm if you want…
- Public and private JavaScript package hosting
- Open-source code (npm/cli on GitHub)
Side by side
- What it is
- GitHub:GitHub is a platform for hosting code repositories, collaborating via pull requests, and automating CI/CD pipelines.
- npm:npm is a free package manager and registry for JavaScript packages, with paid plans for private packages and team permissions.
- Best for
- GitHub:Repository hosting with integrated CI/CD
- npm:Public and private JavaScript package hosting
- Who it’s for
- GitHub:Developers, teams, and enterprises needing version control and DevOps tools
- npm:JavaScript developers and teams who need to publish and manage packages.
- Pricing
- GitHub:Freemium
- npm:Freemium
- Starting price
- GitHub:$4/month per user (Team)
- npm:$7/month (Pro)
- Free plan or trial
- GitHub:Free plan (Free) · Free trial
- npm:Free plan (Free)
- Plans
- GitHub:Free $0 USD · Team $4 USD per user / month per month · Enterprise $21 USD per user / month per month
- npm:Free $0 · Pro $7 per month · Teams $7 per user per month
- Open source
- GitHub:—
- npm:Yes, 10,259 GitHub stars
- Works with
- GitHub:GitHub Actions, GitHub Copilot, GitHub Codespaces, Dependabot
- npm:—
GitHub features
- Unlimited repositories. Host unlimited public and private repositories with Git.
- Pull request reviews. Collaborate on code changes with reviews, approvals, and automated status checks.
- GitHub Actions. Automate builds, tests, and deployments with CI/CD workflows.
- Dependabot security. Automatically receive security and version updates for dependencies.
- Codespaces. Spin up cloud development environments instantly for any project.
- Copilot AI assistance. Get AI-generated code suggestions and automated fixes directly in the IDE.
npm features
- Unlimited public packages. Publish any number of public packages to the npm Registry.
- Private packages. Pro and Teams plans allow unlimited private package publishing.
- Package-based permissions. Control who can access and modify each package.
- Team-based permissions. Teams plan adds granular team management for package access.
- Security warnings. Automatic security alerts are included for all plans.
GitHub vs npm FAQ
What is the difference between GitHub and npm?+
GitHub provides code hosting and CI, not a package registry.
Should I use GitHub or npm?+
Pick GitHub if you want repository hosting with integrated CI/CD or code collaboration and CI. Pick npm if you want public and private JavaScript package hosting or open-source code (npm/cli on GitHub).
Is GitHub or npm free?+
GitHub has a free plan; paid plans start at $4/month per user (Team). npm has a free plan; paid plans start at $7/month (Pro).
Which is cheaper, GitHub or npm?+
GitHub starts at $4/month per user (Team) and npm starts at $7/month (Pro); the plans are billed differently, so compare what's included.
Is GitHub or npm open source?+
npm is open source (npm/cli on GitHub). DevHunt has no public source repository on record for GitHub.
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.