How to Install Node.js on Ubuntu VPS

Method 1 — Install Node.js from Ubuntu Repository

✔️ Easiest method ✔️ Stable ❌ Not always the latest version

bash

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

sudo apt install -y nodejs npm

node -v

npm -v

This installs Node.js + npm directly from Ubuntu’s official repo.

Method 2 — Install Latest Node.js via NodeSource (Recommended)

This is the best method for production VPS because it gives you the latest LTS or current version.

Step 1: Install curl

bash

sudo apt install -y curl

Step 2: Add NodeSource repo (example: Node.js 20.x)

bash

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -

Step 3: Install Node.js

bash

sudo apt install -y nodejs

Step 4: Verify

bash

node -v

npm -v

Method 3 — Install Node.js Using NVM (Node Version Manager)

Best for developers who need to switch between Node versions.

Step 1: Install NVM

bash

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash

source ~/.bashrc

Step 2: Install Node.js (LTS)

bash

nvm install --lts

Step 3: Verify

bash

node -v

npm -v