What's the Difference between NPM and NPX

Every developer working with JavaScript has likely used one or both of these tools: NPM and NPX. But while they’re often used together, they serve very different purposes, and that can be confusing, especially for beginners. In fact, many developers use them without fully understanding what each one does or why they're using it.

Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible.

What is NPM?

NPM stands for Node Package Manager. It’s the default package manager for Node.js mainly used for:

• Installing packages (libraries, tools, etc.) into your project.

• Managing and updating dependencies in your package.json file.

• Running scripts defined in package.json.

For example:

npm install react

This command installs React and adds it to your node_modules folder and package.json.

What is NPX?

NPX stands for Node Package eXecute. It’s a tool that lets you run any package directly from the NPM registry, without needing to install it globally or keep it in your project.

For example:

npx create-react-app my-app

This runs the create-react-app command without requiring a global install. It temporarily downloads and executes it, then cleans up after itself.

When to Use NPM vs NPX

Use NPM when you want to add a package to your project and manage it over time.

Use NPX when you want to run a tool or command temporarily, like a one-time script.

Why Does It Matter?

Knowing the difference helps you avoid cluttering your system with global installs and keeps your development environment cleaner.

So if you're not sure whether to use npm or npx, ask yourself:

• Do I need this tool installed in my project permanently?
• If yes, use npm.
• If no, or just for a quick command, use npx.