Installing Node.js on Ubuntu 18.04

Node.js is a runtime platform that takes JavaScript well beyond the browser, turning it into a general-purpose language. It's widely used as a web server and also supports desktop app development via NW.js, AppJS, or Electron.

Update the package list before getting started:

sudo apt update

Method 1. Installing from the default repositories

The quickest option — though the version in Ubuntu's repositories may be outdated.

sudo apt install nodejs
sudo apt install npm

On Ubuntu, the executable is called nodejs instead of node due to a naming conflict with another package.

Check the version:

nodejs -v

v8.10.0

Method 2. Installing via PPA

NodeSource maintains a PPA with up-to-date Node.js releases. Navigate to your home directory and download the setup script for the version you need (replace 10.x with your target version):

cd ~
curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_10.x -o nodesource_setup.sh

Review the script before running it:

nano nodesource_setup.sh

Run the script:

sudo bash nodesource_setup.sh

Install Node.js:

sudo apt install nodejs

Check the version:

nodejs -v

v10.20.1

The nodejs package already includes npm — no separate installation needed:

npm -v

6.14.4

To compile packages from source, install build-essential:

sudo apt install build-essential

Method 3. Installing via NVM

NVM (Node Version Manager) lets you install and switch between multiple Node.js versions on the same machine — ideal when different projects need different runtimes.

Download the installation script:

curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/v0.35.3/install.sh -o install_nvm.sh

Review the script before running it:

nano install_nvm.sh

Run the installer:

bash install_nvm.sh

NVM installs to ~/.nvm and adds the necessary configuration to ~/.profile. Load NVM into the current session:

source ~/.profile

Browse available Node.js versions:

nvm ls-remote

Install the version you need — for example, 10.20.1:

nvm install 10.20.1

Switch to it:

nvm use 10.20.1

When installed via NVM, the executable is called node. Confirm the active version:

node -v

v10.20.1

List all installed versions:

nvm ls

Set a default version:

nvm alias default 10.20.1

This version will be used every time you open a new terminal session. You can also switch to it explicitly:

nvm use default

Each Node.js version manages its own packages independently via npm.