How to Install Node.js on Linux Using NVM, Packages, and NodeSource

Introduction

Node.js is an open‑source, cross‑platform JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine, used to create scalable network applications. It includes the npm command‑line utility for managing packages. This tutorial explains three ways to install Node.js on popular Linux distributions.

1. Install Node.js with NVM (Recommended)

NVM (Node Version Manager) is a bash script that lets you install, uninstall, and switch between multiple Node.js versions without permission issues.

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.36.0/install.sh | bash

or

wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.36.0/install.sh | bash

The script clones the NVM repository into ~/.nvm and adds source lines to your shell profile ( ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.). After restarting the terminal, verify the installation: command -v nvm Output should be nvm.

List available Node.js versions: nvm ls-remote Install the latest version: nvm install node Install a specific version (e.g., v12.20.2): nvm install v12.20.2 View installed versions: nvm list Switch to a version: nvm use node Set a default version: nvm alias default v12.20.2 Uninstall a version (after deactivating if it is active):

nvm uninstall v12.20.2

2. Install Node.js via Distribution Package Managers (Stable but Older)

Most Linux distributions provide Node.js in their default repositories. Use the following commands for each distro:

Arch Linux (and derivatives): sudo pacman -S nodejs npm Debian/Ubuntu/Mint: sudo apt-get install nodejs npm RHEL/CentOS (enable EPEL first): sudo yum install epel-release then sudo yum install nodejs npm Fedora: sudo dnf install nodejs npm If the node binary is missing, create a symlink:

sudo ln -s /usr/bin/nodejs /usr/bin/node

3. Install Node.js from NodeSource (Latest Versions)

NodeSource provides up‑to‑date packages for various Node.js releases. Add the appropriate repository and install:

Node.js 15.x (Ubuntu):

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_15.x | sudo -E bash

Node.js 14.x:

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash -

Node.js 12.x:

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_12.x | sudo -E bash -

Node.js 10.x:

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_10.x | sudo -E bash -

Node.js 8.x:

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_8.x | sudo -E bash -

After adding the repository, install Node.js: sudo apt-get install nodejs npm For RHEL/CentOS, use the RPM setup scripts (e.g., curl -sL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_15.x | sudo bash -) and then sudo yum install nodejs npm. Fedora follows the same steps with dnf.

Optional: Install Build Tools for Native npm Modules

To compile native addons, install development tools:

Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install -y build-essential RHEL/CentOS: sudo yum groupinstall 'Development Tools' Fedora:

sudo dnf groupinstall 'Development Tools'

Resources

Node.js official website

NVM GitHub repository

NodeSource website