npm
A package manager for javascript
OrbStack
Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux on macOS
Updated February 2026
| npm | OrbStack | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0★ | 5.0★ |
| Reviews | 7 | 6 |
| Pros | 0 | 12 |
| FactScore™ | 45.2 | 42.3 |
FactScore™ Comparison
FactScore™ weighs both quality (rating) and popularity (reviews) for a fairer ranking than stars alone.
Pros & Cons
Only in npm — Pros
No unique pros listedBoth tools — Pros
—Only in OrbStack — Pros
Docker alternative Fast performance Lightweight MacOS compatibility Performance improvement over Docker Desktop VM support Compatibility with existing workflows Container management IPv6 support Network exposure Simple interface StabilityOnly in npm — Cons
—Both tools — Cons
—Only in OrbStack — Cons
Compatibility testing required New platformDetails
| npm | OrbStack | |
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Command line tools, Databases and backend frameworks | Virtual office platforms, Command line tools, Cloud Computing Platforms |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Became Popular | April 14, 2015 | September 22, 2023 |
| Website | www.npmjs.com | orbstack.dev |
Who Should Pick Which?
Choose npm if...
- No unique pros listed
Choose OrbStack if...
- Docker alternative
- Fast performance
- Lightweight
With a FactScore™ of 45.2 vs 42.3, npm leads in community reception. npm uniquely offers No unique pros listed, while OrbStack stands out for Docker alternative and Fast performance.
What Users Say
npm
Super easy way to install useful packages. Codebuff is a package on npm, so it can be installed as easily as `npm i -g codebuff`! npm makes it really easy for us to push out new versions and track ...
npm(CLI & Backend Tooling)
While developing cloud.supercfd.com, npm was our go-to package manager to deal with various javascript packages.
OrbStack
Tinybird Local needs a Docker runtime. We use Orbstack, and it's great.
It just makes working with containers like a breeze. This shows the value of ye old UNIX philosophy: do one thing good. And plus, OrbStack just keeps getting better!
OrbStack is a promising alternative, especially for macOS users who need lightweight container and VM management. However, its adoption depends on your specific needs, compatibility with existing w...
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, npm or OrbStack?
Based on FactScore™, npm leads with a score of 45.2 vs 42.3. npm has a higher rating of 5.0★ compared to 5.0★.
What are the pros of npm compared to OrbStack?
npm uniquely offers: No unique pros listed.
What are the pros of OrbStack compared to npm?
OrbStack uniquely offers: Docker alternative, Fast performance, Lightweight, MacOS compatibility, Performance improvement over Docker Desktop.
Is npm better rated than OrbStack?
npm is rated 5.0★ from 7 reviews. OrbStack is rated 5.0★ from 6 reviews.
What is the FactScore™ of npm and OrbStack?
FactScore™ weighs rating and review volume together. npm scores 45.2 and OrbStack scores 42.3.
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