Node.js v26.11.1

About Node.js

Quick answer: Node.js is a runtime that runs JavaScript outside the browser. Newest recorded version: 26.11.1. Downloads link to the official publisher.

Node.js is a runtime that runs JavaScript outside the browser. Ryan Dahl created it in 2009, and it is now developed under the OpenJS Foundation and released under the MIT licence. It uses Google's V8 JavaScript engine and an event-driven, non-blocking model that suits network programs such as web servers, APIs and command-line tools. Installing Node.js also installs npm, the package manager for the large npm registry, and Corepack for managing other package managers. The Windows installer can optionally add tools needed to compile native modules, and the macOS installer is a standard package. Node.js ships with a built-in test runner, a watch mode, support for ES modules and a fetch API. The project publishes two kinds of release lines. Even-numbered major versions become Long Term Support (LTS) releases, which are intended for production, while odd-numbered versions are short-lived. Node.js also runs on Linux; this site lists the Windows and macOS downloads. Choose the LTS installer unless you need a feature that is only in the current release. After installing, open a new terminal and run node --version and npm --version to confirm that both are on your PATH. For several projects with different Node versions, install a version manager. Keep global packages to a minimum and prefer project-local installs with a lock file.

Key features

• ✓V8 JavaScript engine outside the browser
• ✓npm package manager for the npm registry
• ✓Built-in test runner and watch mode
• ✓ES module and CommonJS support
• ✓Built-in fetch and web streams
• ✓Long Term Support release lines
• ✓Optional native-build tools on Windows

Our review

Node.js is a good fit for developers who want to use JavaScript for servers and tools, and it is required by many front-end build systems. For production, use an LTS version, since the current release line changes more often. Installing packages from npm brings in many nested dependencies, so review what you add, use lock files and audit regularly. If you need several Node versions side by side, a version manager such as nvm-windows or fnm avoids reinstalling. CPU-heavy work blocks the single main thread, so use worker threads or another language for it.

Updated 13 Oct 2026 · Last reviewed 13 Oct 2026 · How our reviews work

Frequently asked questions about Node.js