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Head-to-head · Package Managers

npm vs Conan

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score npm #1 in Package Managers 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit npm
Conan #7 in Package Managers 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Conan

npm leads on 0 checks, Conan on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorenpm · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

npm scores higher on our rubric for package managers: 9.4 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

npm is the better fit for javaScript package discovery and publishing. Conan is the better fit for native C and C++ dependencies.

  • npm fits best

    JavaScript package discovery and publishing

  • Conan fits best

    Native C and C++ dependencies

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature npm 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Conan 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.6
Ranking #1 in Package Managers #7 in Package Managers
Best for JavaScript package discovery and publishing Native C and C++ dependencies
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $7/mo Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Integrations 3 integrations 6 integrations
Features npm 5/5 · Conan 5/5
Dependency resolution ✓ ✓
Lockfile support ✓ ✓
Workspace support ✓ ✓
Private registry auth ✓ ✓
Offline installation ✓ ✓
Specs
Package formats package.json folders, gzipped tarballs, URLs, name@version, name@tag, Git URLs Conan recipes and binary packages
Supported platforms macOS, Windows, Linux, and other operating systems via Node.js installers or version managers Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, embedded and bare-metal targets
Our review
Pros
  • Combines discovery, installation, publishing, and dependency resolution.
  • Supports lockfiles, workspaces, caching, offline mode, and npx.
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and private registries.
  • Dependency graphs, lockfiles, and profiles support reproducible native builds.
  • Precompiled binaries and local caches can reduce repeated build work.
  • Broad integrations cover CMake, Visual Studio/MSBuild, Docker, and Meson.
Cons
  • Private package installation and publishing requires the $7/month paid account.
  • Its focus is JavaScript and Node.js package workflows.
  • Advanced registry setups may require authentication and configuration.
  • Experimental workspaces are subject to breaking changes.
  • Package workflows require recipe and profile concepts to be understood.
  • Hosted repository capabilities are separate from the free Conan client.
Our verdict

npm brings together a package discovery website, command-line interface, and registry for JavaScript and Node.js software. It suits developers who need to find dependencies, install them into projects, manage versions, publish packages, or…

Read the review →

Conan is a decentralized, open-source package manager for C and C++ projects. It is designed for teams that need to define package recipes, declare dependencies, build or obtain precompiled binaries, and exchange packages through…

Read the review →
  1. npmPackage Managers 9.4Free plan
  2. ConanPackage Managers 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • npm — where it wins

    • Combines discovery, installation, publishing, and dependency resolution.
    • Supports lockfiles, workspaces, caching, offline mode, and npx.
    • Works across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and private registries.

    Where it doesn't

    • Private package installation and publishing requires the $7/month paid account.
    • Its focus is JavaScript and Node.js package workflows.
    • Advanced registry setups may require authentication and configuration.

  • Conan — where it wins

    • Dependency graphs, lockfiles, and profiles support reproducible native builds.
    • Precompiled binaries and local caches can reduce repeated build work.
    • Broad integrations cover CMake, Visual Studio/MSBuild, Docker, and Meson.

    Where it doesn't

    • Experimental workspaces are subject to breaking changes.
    • Package workflows require recipe and profile concepts to be understood.
    • Hosted repository capabilities are separate from the free Conan client.
  • npm9.4/10 · Free plan

    A complete JavaScript package workflow with public access free and private packages at $7/month.

    Visit npmFull verdict →
  • Conan8.6/10 · Free plan

    A capable open-source choice for managing native C and C++ dependencies across platforms.

    Visit ConanFull verdict →

More comparisons

All package managers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update