# npm Registry vs Node.js Lab

The clearest difference is rating: npm Registry at 4.8 against Node.js Lab's 3.9. npm Registry also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). Node.js Lab's advantage is chart position (#172 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Node.js Lab sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. npm Registry asks for nothing beyond the download.

npm Registry holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 24 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of npm Registry's written reviews are positive against 63% of Node.js Lab's.

npm Registry ships an update every 3 days, Node.js Lab every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | npm Registry | Node.js Lab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npm-registry/id1360641778/reviews)** | [3.9 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nodejs-lab/id1550710789/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **24** |
| Positive reviews | **85.7% of reviews** | 62.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#172** |
| Size | 44 MB | 154 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Daniel Sogl](https://appshunter.io/developer/1134880045) | [Firas Moussa](https://appshunter.io/developer/547104847) |

## What reviewers say

### npm Registry

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npm-registry/id1360641778)

Explore and track over 2 million JavaScript packages. Features smart search, GitHub integration, detailed package information, and download analytics. Save favorites and share with your team.

**Highlights:** Real-time search with autocomplete, GitHub repository stats, Full README rendering, Download trend charts, Package favorites and bookmarks, Share package links

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Node.js Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nodejs-lab/id1550710789)

**Currently charting:** #172 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Develop and run Node.js web applications directly on your iOS device, even offline. This app includes a full Node.js environment with NPM, a script editor, and debugging tools. It also functions as a standalone web application and offers extensive file management capabilities.

**Highlights:** Offline Node.js environment, Integrated Git client, Multi-tabbed script editor, NPM support, Standalone web app functionality, Remote file management, Offline documentation

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock all features | $4.99 | one-time |
| Standalone Web Application | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is npm Registry free?

npm Registry is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Node.js Lab free?

Node.js Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, npm Registry or Node.js Lab?

npm Registry is rated higher. npm Registry averages 4.8 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Node.js Lab averages 3.9 from 24 ratings.

### Do npm Registry or Node.js Lab have ads?

Node.js Lab shows ads; npm Registry does not.

### Which is updated more often, npm Registry or Node.js Lab?

npm Registry ships an update every 3 days, and Node.js Lab every 5 weeks. Most recently, npm Registry was updated on September 11, 2026 and Node.js Lab on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*