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Comparison

npm trends: Compare NPM package downloads vs npm-stat: download statistics for NPM packages

npm trends: Compare NPM package downloads and npm-stat: download statistics for NPM packages both land on Worth it.

npm trends: Compare NPM package downloads versus npm-stat: download statistics for NPM packages
Comparenpm trends: Compare NPM package downloadsnpm-stat: download statistics for NPM packages
VerdictWorth itWorth it
Best forJS/TS devs choosing between librariesOpen-source maintainers tracking package adoption
Who it's not forNon-JavaScript stacks (Python, Go, Rust) . nothing to compareAnyone making build-vs-buy calls from raw download counts
PrivacyNo known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.²No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.12
Support qualityNo support evidence foundNo evidence in sources
Public sentimentDevelopers, bloggers, and researchers consistently recommend it as the quickest npm popularity comparison.³Practitioners warn that npm download counts are unreliable popularity signals because mirrors and bots inflate them.13
Biggest gotchaOne developer demonstrated npm download counts can be exploited; treat numbers as directional only⁶Mirror sites cache packages automatically, inflating download numbers for unused packages13

Pick npm trends: Compare NPM package downloads when

  • JS/TS devs choosing between libraries
  • Framework adoption research
  • Indie devs and students picking stacks
  • Tech-radar trend spotting

When npm trends: Compare NPM package downloads is not a fit

  • Non-JavaScript stacks (Python, Go, Rust) . nothing to compare
  • Teams needing license, audit, or maintenance vetting of packages
  • Anyone wanting vendor support, SLAs, or data exports
  • Procurement-grade decisions . popularity ≠ production-readiness

Pick npm-stat: download statistics for NPM packages when

  • Open-source maintainers tracking package adoption
  • Quick side-by-side package comparisons
  • Researchers citing npm adoption trends

When npm-stat: download statistics for NPM packages is not a fit

  • Anyone making build-vs-buy calls from raw download counts
  • Teams needing real-time or private-registry stats
  • Businesses wanting vendor SLAs or guaranteed support

Sources

  1. npm trends: Compare NPM package downloads (official)npmtrends.com
    official
  2. npmtrends security pagenpmtrends.com
    security
  3. awesome-vibe-coding . GitHub list marking it [Free]github.com
    review
  4. Testing Framework Adoption Trends: 5 Years of npm Data . TestDinotestdino.com
    review
  5. React Query paper citing npmtrends . TechRxivtechrxiv.org
    review
  6. How I exploited NPM downloads... and why you shouldn't . dev.todev.to
    review
  7. VueJS vs ReactJS vs SvelteJS . Reddit r/sveltejsreddit.com
    review
  8. 5 Best Practices for Choosing Third-Party NPM Packagesreadclub.me
    review
  9. Rise of JavaScript Frameworks . Master's thesis citing npmtrendsagrawalshyam.com
    review
  10. npm-stat homepagenpm-stat.com
    official
  11. npm-stat charts page (donation note)npm-stat.com
    official
  12. npm-stat security pagenpm-stat.com
    security
  13. How reliable are npm package download counts?community.latenode.com
    review
  14. npm-increaser-downloads (count inflation tool)npmjs.com
    news
  15. pvorb/npm-stat.com source on GitHubgist.github.com
    official
  16. Apify npm Package Stats actorapify.com
    official