The simple tool decisionPackage manager / runtime / one page
For a JavaScript project

pnpm or Bun?

Both install packages. The useful question is whether you need a dependable Node package manager, or you want to build around Bun as well.

The real choice

Choose pnpm for the package workflow. Choose Bun when Bun itself is part of the project plan.

Package workflow
01

Choose pnpm

The calm default for an existing Node project, a shared repo, or a team that wants the package manager to stay out of the runtime decision.

  • Its shared, content-addressable store avoids keeping a full new copy of a dependency for every project.[1]
  • Its default layout exposes direct dependencies at the root, which helps catch imports you forgot to declare.[1]
  • Its workspace: protocol can insist that a dependency comes from the local monorepo.[2]
Runtime + packages
02

Choose Bun

The right move when you deliberately want Bun in the stack, not only its installer. Make the runtime, tests, local tooling, and deploy target part of that decision.

  • bun install works in projects with package.json and writes bun.lock.[4]
  • It supports package workspaces and can install or run work across selected packages.[3]
  • For a new monorepo, Bun can use an isolated linker that prevents undeclared dependency access.[4]
Rule of thumb

Already on Node?
Pick pnpm first.

It gives you a focused package-management decision. You can keep the Node runtime and tooling your repo already expects, while getting strict dependency behavior and workspace support.

01 / runtime

Will this project actually run under Bun, or only install with it?

02 / CI

Can your lockfile and install command run the same way in continuous integration?

03 / native code

Try the packages that compile binaries or run post-install work before a big migration.

04 / one owner

Choose one package manager and lockfile for the repo. Do not casually mix them.