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esm.sh

Free#25 of 33 in CDN Software

esm.sh: A focused open-source CDN for importing, transforming, and bundling JavaScript modules. Ranked #25 of 33 in CDN Software by our editors (6.7/10); pricing: Open source; best for developers importing transformed JavaScript modules.

6.7/10Editor score

Visit esm.sh

esm.sh6.7 Visit esm.sh

At a glance

Editor score
6.7 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Developers importing transformed JavaScript modules
Paid from
Free
Edge compute
None
Facts checked
22 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Imports modules directly from HTTP URLs without a local build step
- Supports npm, JSR, GitHub, and pkg.pr.new registries
- Provides transformation, bundling, pinning, and tree shaking
Where it doesn't
- Focused on JavaScript module delivery rather than general CDN workloads
- Does not provide edge compute
- Advanced transformation options may require understanding import URLs and aliases

Our verdict on esm.sh

esm.sh is an open-source CDN for developers who want to import JavaScript modules directly from HTTP URLs in browser and Deno applications. It resolves packages from npm, JSR, GitHub, and pkg.pr.new, so projects can consume modules from several established JavaScript ecosystems. The service also supports raw source-file delivery, import maps, CSS imports, web-worker generation, and transformations for TypeScript, TSX, Vue, and Svelte.

Its main strength is the depth of its module pipeline. On-demand transformation and bundling are handled with esbuild, while dependency version pinning and aliasing provide control over how imports resolve. Tree shaking and standalone bundling can reduce delivered code, and the same service supports both direct module imports and more prepared bundle outputs. These capabilities make esm.sh a practical fit for projects that want browser- or Deno-ready modules without maintaining a local installation or build step for every dependency.

The product is deliberately specialized. It is designed around HTTP module delivery, transformation, and bundling rather than broad CDN capabilities, and it does not provide edge compute. Self-hosting support gives teams an option for private registries or environments that need to operate their own deployment. Choose esm.sh when JavaScript module imports, registry flexibility, and transformation controls are the priority. Choose a general CDN instead when the requirement centers on broader content delivery or edge-side application execution.

Your product? Our editors can test esm.sh in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

esm.sh pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on esm.sh

esm.sh fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Edge locations	330 locations
Web application firewall	Not verified
DDoS protection	Not verified
Edge compute	None
Image optimization	Not verified
Origin shield	Not verified
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate)
Integrations	4 integrations: npm, JSR, GitHub, pkg.pr.new
Pricing	Open source
Website	esm.sh
Facts checked	22 Sep 2026

esm.sh integrations

esm.sh lists 4 integrations on its own site.

npm
JSR
GitHub
pkg.pr.new

Alternatives to esm.sh

See all esm.sh alternatives →

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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used esm.sh for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

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Featured on iTechGuides

esm.sh is listed in our CDN Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update