Node.js v22: “Jod” Binaries Available
At NodeSource, we pride ourselves on delivering the best tools and open source support for Node.js users. Staying aligned with the latest releases is a key part of that commitment. With the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) release, Node.js 22 (codenamed "Jod"), we continue to ensure our users have access to reliable, secure, and up-to-date **Node.js binaries **through our NodeSource Binary Distributions.
Fun Fact: We have distributed over 80 million binaries over the last 12 months, NodeSource continues to be the primary distributor of RHEL and DEB versions of Node!
What’s New?
The Node.js ecosystem follows a predictable release cycle:
- A new version is initially released as “Current.”
- After six months of stabilization, it transitions to LTS, ensuring long-term maintenance and reliability for production use.
Node.js 22 has officially become the new LTS release, and we’ve integrated it into our NodeSource Binary Distributions. Whether you’re using .deb, .rpm, or .tar packages, you’ll find Node.js 22 alongside earlier versions, ready for seamless installation.
What Makes NodeSource Distributions Special?
For developers and organizations managing Node.js infrastructure, having quick and straightforward access to binaries is essential. That’s where NodeSource Binary Distributions excel:
- Simplified Package Management: Instead of managing raw binaries, you can easily use your system’s package manager to install and update Node.js versions.
- Support for All Major Platforms: From Ubuntu to CentOS, and even Alpine Linux, our distributions cover the platforms you rely on.
- Always Up-to-Date: As new Node.js versions are released, we ensure our distributions include them promptly.
A Peek Behind the Scenes
You might wonder how NodeSource delivers these updates so reliably. Here's a glimpse:
- Pipeline Automation: We’ve built internal pipelines that track Node.js releases. When a new version like 22 (Jod) becomes LTS, we update our scripts and pipelines to include it as the default LTS version.
- Binary Packaging: While Node.js.org provides raw binaries, we transform these into packages that are easier to use, ensuring compatibility with a variety of environments.
- Transparency: Our work is hosted on GitHub, allowing users to explore and contribute to the distribution repositories.
Key Metrics
A Year of Impact: 81+ Million Downloads of Node.js Binary Distributions
- In the last year, NodeSource Node.js Binary Distributions reached an incredible 81,717,061 downloads. This number reflects the vast scale of developers relying on us to power their applications. Whether it’s for production systems or local development, our distributions have become a cornerstone for Node.js projects across the globe.
- On a monthly level, 345,956 downloads highlight sustained trust and adoption. Developers know they can count on NodeSource to provide secure and up-to-date binaries.
Trends in Adoption
Preferred Node.js Versions
Our data shows strong adoption of the latest LTS versions, like Node.js v22, which offers the stability and reliability developers seek. The consistent downloads of LTS versions emphasize their importance for enterprise-grade applications and production environments.
However, legacy versions still maintain some traction, underscoring how developers across the ecosystem use different Node.js versions based on their specific project needs. For example, Node.js v4—first released in 2015—was downloaded an astonishing 78,977 times in the last year alone.
This highlights the critical importance of upgrading to newer Node.js versions. While legacy versions may still function for some projects, they lack modern features, performance optimizations, and crucial security updates. Developers are strongly encouraged to adopt supported LTS versions to ensure their applications are secure, performant, and aligned with the latest standards in the Node.js ecosystem.
DEB vs. RPM Usage
The DEB vs. RPM split highlights how developers’ environments influence their preferences. DEB packages, used by Debian-based systems like Ubuntu, dominate downloads, reflecting the popularity of these systems in the Node.js ecosystem. Meanwhile, RPM packages show a consistent user base in Red Hat and CentOS communities.
Geographical Impact
Our distributions serve a global audience, with the highest adoption rates in North America and Europe, which it has sustained over the past years. However, significant usage in parts of Asia and other regions indicates the growing influence of Node.js across industries worldwide.
Going Beyond Node.js with N|Solid
For users of N|Solid, NodeSource’s enhanced Node.js runtime, the story is even more exciting. With every Node.js release, we build customized binaries that integrate monitoring and performance features directly into the runtime.
- Optimized Performance Monitoring: N|Solid’s Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tools are baked into the runtime, requiring no additional setup.
- Custom Builds: We modify the Node.js codebase to add features and improvements, then compile binaries specifically tailored to production-grade use cases.
As with the standard distributions, N|Solid binaries are packaged and distributed seamlessly, making it easier than ever to stay on top of updates. You can use N|Solid for free, try it now.
The Impact of the N|Solid Open Source Runtime on the Node.js Community
Since NodeSource open-sourced the N|Solid Runtime, it has improved how developers and enterprises manage Node.js applications. By providing a telemetry-rich runtime that is 100% compatible with the vanilla Node.js runtime, N|Solid OSS Runtime introduced a new level of observability and application management for the community. This move has created great benefits for the Node.js ecosystem and demonstrated NodeSource’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the OSS community 💚
Check out the GitHub repo here: https://github.com/nodesource/nsolid — don’t forget to give it a star! ⭐
Key Benefits for the Node.js Community
- Democratized Observability: Open-sourcing N|Solid brings enterprise-grade monitoring to developers of all scales, enabling faster identification and resolution of performance bottlenecks.
- Community Innovation: Encourages global contributions, driving enhancements and experimentation with advanced Node.js tooling.
- Reliability Tools: Offers manual control over heap snapshots and CPU profiles, crucial for debugging and optimizing production applications.
- Ecosystem Sustainability: Maintained by NodeSource engineers to ensure alignment with Node.js advancements, fostering a stronger, future-proof ecosystem.
Impact by the Numbers
The adoption of the N|Solid Runtime reflects its growing importance in the Node.js community:
- 258,343 downloads in the last year, with this number growing month over month it underscores the runtime’s widespread adoption.
- The most downloaded versions are v18 with 152,507 and v20 with 104,074. Version 22 became LTS a few weeks ago, so we expect v22 downloads to rise in the upcoming months.
- Over 1,000 daily downloads demonstrate consistent demand among developers worldwide.
- By facilitating reliable application management, N|Solid has reduced friction for countless teams, enabling them to focus on delivering high-quality software.
Building a Future of Collaboration
The decision to open-source N|Solid wasn’t just about sharing code—it was about sharing a vision. A vision where advanced tools for application performance monitoring and security are accessible to everyone in the Node.js ecosystem. As more developers adopt and contribute to the N|Solid Runtime, the collective innovation of the Node.js community will continue to raise the bar for what’s possible in application observability and performance.
The open-sourcing of N|Solid marks a major milestone in the journey to make Node.js development more transparent, collaborative, and robust, reflecting NodeSource’s commitment to the Node.js community.
How to Upgrade
Upgrading to the latest version is simple. With NodeSource Binary Distributions, you can use the following scripts to install or update Node.js on your system:
# Add the NodeSource repository
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
# Install Node.js
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs
For other distributions, detailed instructions are available in our NodeSource Distributions GitHub repository.
Looking Ahead
As Node.js 23 (the current release) transitions into LTS next year, you can count on NodeSource to be ready. Our commitment to delivering reliable and timely updates is unwavering, ensuring that developers and enterprises alike can focus on building amazing applications.
Stay tuned for more updates and enhancements as we continue to support the vibrant Node.js community.
Get Started Today: Explore NodeSource Binary Distributions and experience seamless Node.js development. Take it to the next level with N|Solid, the most advanced APM solution tailored for Node.js, combining powerful performance insights with unparalleled ease of use.