🌐
Node.js
nodejs.org › en › about › previous-releases
Node.js — Node.js Releases
Production applications should only use Active LTS or Maintenance LTS releases. Full details regarding the Node.js release schedule are available on GitHub. The Node.js website provides several non-interactive installation methods, including command-line interfaces (CLIs), operating system (OS) package managers (e.g., brew), and Node.js version managers (e.g., nvm).
🌐
Node.js
nodejs.org › en
Node.js
Get Node.js®Get Node.js®Get security support for EOL Node.js versions
Discussions

How does Node LTS work
Long Term Support versions still receive minor updates and patches, mainly for security and bug fixes. You should always upgrade to the latest release for your chosen (major) version. At the time of writing: v20.15.0 is the latest release for v20.x LTS (iron) according to https://nodejs.org/en/about/previous-releases Edit: fixed semantics More on reddit.com
🌐 r/node
15
10
June 21, 2024
What are the differences between Long Term Support (LTS) and Stable versions of Node.js?
Originally asked: What is the difference between Node.js 4.x branch with LTS (Long Term Support) and the 5.x branch (listed as Stable)? But this is equally relevant to understanding the difference between 6.x and 7.x and, in the future, 8.x and 9.x · Generally, I always lean towards the latest version ... More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
Node.js Lts version
Use node manager like nvm or n Using those you can change node versions by using a single command whenever needed More on reddit.com
🌐 r/node
13
1
January 4, 2022
Finally got Node 14.15.1 lts running on windows 7

What are you doing that win 10 and linux are not an option, but interesting that it was that hard.

The last time I had problems, I just downloaded the nodejs and npm binary from the nodejs servers and set the PATH accordingly.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/node
4
6
December 29, 2017

JavaScript runtime environment

Node.js is a cross-platform, open-source JavaScript runtime environment that can run on Windows, Linux, Unix, macOS, and more. Node.js runs on the V8 JavaScript engine, and executes JavaScript code outside a web … Wikipedia
Factsheet
Original author Ryan Dahl
Initial release May 27, 2009; 16 years ago (2009-05-27)
Factsheet
Original author Ryan Dahl
Initial release May 27, 2009; 16 years ago (2009-05-27)
🌐
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Node.js
Node.js - Wikipedia
2 weeks ago - Even-numbered versions are cut in April and odd-numbered versions are cut in October. When a new odd version is released, the previous even version undergoes transition to Long Term Support (LTS), which gives that version 12 months of active support from the date it is designated LTS.
🌐
Node.js
nodejs.org › en › download
Node.js — Download Node.js®
Read the changelog or blog post for this version. Learn more about Node.js releases, including the release schedule and LTS status.
🌐
npm
npmjs.com › package › node-lts-versions
node-lts-versions - npm
September 24, 2025 - Get the maintained LTS versions of Node.js. Latest version: 1.7.3, last published: 3 months ago. Start using node-lts-versions in your project by running `npm i node-lts-versions`. There are 2 other projects in the npm registry using node-lts-versions.
      » npm install node-lts-versions
    
Published   Sep 24, 2025
Version   1.7.3
Author   Matt Simerson
Find elsewhere
🌐
endoflife.date
endoflife.date › nodejs
Node.js | endoflife.date
2 weeks ago - Major Node.js versions enter Current release status for six months, which gives library authors time to add support for them. After six months, odd-numbered releases (9, 11, etc.) become unsupported, and even-numbered releases (10, 12, etc.) move to Active LTS status and are ready for general use.
🌐
Nearform
nearform.com › digital-community › node-js-release-schedule-explained
Node.js release schedule explained | Nearform
May 14, 2024 - Node.js maintains three release lines simultaneously, two of which are LTS versions, one in Maintanance LTS, one in Active LTS, and the third one as Current (either a odd-numbered version or a even-numbered that has not entered Active status ...
🌐
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › node.js › difference-between-lts-and-stable-version-of-node-js
Difference Between LTS and Stable Version Of Node.js. - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - Simply run the command " node -pe process.release. lists" and check the value. If it returns a string, such as "Gallium" or "Fermium", then it is LTS. Otherwise, it is a stable version.
🌐
DEV Community
dev.to › igahsamuel › nodejs-understanding-the-difference-between-current-and-lts-versions-2dek
"Node.js: Understanding the Difference Between Current and LTS Versions" - DEV Community
June 27, 2024 - For testing and development purposes, ... of Node.js The LTS version of Node.js is a stable release that is maintained and supported for a longer period, ensuring stability and reliability....
🌐
Docker
hub.docker.com › _ › node
node - Official Image | Docker Hub
24-alpine3.22, 24.11-alpine3.22, 24.11.1-alpine3.22, krypton-alpine3.22, lts-alpine3.22
Top answer
1 of 3
108

To understand the difference you need to understand why a Long Term Support (LTS) version of Node exists.

Node LTS is primarily aimed at enterprise use where there may be more resistance to frequent updates, extensive procurement procedures and lengthy test and quality requirements.

From Rod Vagg a member of the Node LTS working group:

The point of establishing an LTS plan for Node is to build on top of an existing stable release cycle by delivering new new versions on a predictable schedule that have a clearly defined extended support lifecycle. While this may seem at odds with the open source tradition of “release early, release often” it is an essential requirement for enterprise application development and operations teams. It also affects companies ... that provide professional support for Node.js.

https://medium.com/@nodesource/essential-steps-long-term-support-for-node-js-8ecf7514dbd#.za353bn08

The official Node post mentioned in one of the comments also does a fine job of explaining this:

https://nodejs.org/en/blog/community/node-v5/

It is sometimes misunderstood that odd version number releases (v5, v7) are a "beta" of the next LTS release. This is a convention used in other project but not in Node and is somewhat misleading. In fact, the next LTS release is chosen from a specific point release of the current version, and this will usually be an even version release (v6, v8). It's not that the latest versions are betas - it's that the LTS releases fulfil a specific need some organisations have.

For a point of reference look at Firefox's Extended Support Releases (https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/faq/) or Ubuntu's LTS releases (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LTS). I don't think anyone would suggested the latest version of Firefox was a beta and that most users should stick with the older ERS versions.

Generally if you are able to keep up with the latest stable and future Node releases you should do so. These are stable and production ready releases with excellent community support. Unstable and experimental functionality is kept behind build and runtime flags and should not affect your day to day operations.

Generally I always lean towards the latest version for features and performance (as I now do allot of ES6 / ES7)

This would suggest to me that stable versions and beyond will suit your needs well. This will give you access to the latest and greatest language features provide by the underlying JavaScript engine (V8 or Chakra)

Of note: A significant difference between v4 (and earlier) and v5 is that v4 ships with npm v2 whereas v5 ships with npm v3. v3 of npm has some potentially breaking changes for your project in how it handles peerDependancies. The way npm v3 now tries to install a dependancies own dependancies as flat as possible and avoid duplicates may affect your projects but has been a big boon for Windows users so this may also impact your decision making.

2 of 3
17

Release Types

  • Current: Under active development. Code for the Current release is in the branch for its major version number (for example, v10.x). Node.js releases a new major version every 6 months, allowing for breaking changes. This happens in April and October every year. Releases appearing each October have a support life of 8 months. Releases appearing each April convert to LTS (see below) each October.

  • LTS: Releases that receive Long-term Support, with a focus on stability and security. Every even-numbered major version will become an LTS release. LTS releases receive 18 months of Active LTS support and a further 12 months of Maintenance. LTS release lines have alphabetically-ordered codenames, beginning with v4 Argon. There are no breaking changes or feature additions, except in some special circumstances.

Source

🌐
GitHub
github.com › nodejs › Release
GitHub - nodejs/Release: Node.js Release Working Group
The transition to Long Term Support will happen in a semver-minor release and should happen after the new major version is released. Every even (LTS) major version will be actively maintained for 12 months from the date it enters LTS coverage.
Starred by 4.2K users
Forked by 628 users
Languages   JavaScript
🌐
Node-RED
nodered.org › docs › getting-started › windows
Running on Windows : Node-RED
Download the latest LTS version of Node.js from the official Node.js home page.
🌐
daily.dev
daily.dev › home › blog › get into tech › node.js v20 lts is now generally available and it's awesome!
Node.js v20 LTS is now generally available and it's awesome!
February 4, 2025 - Here's what you need to know: Faster Performance: Enjoy improvements like faster file handling and web request processing. Long-Term Support: This version will have updates and security fixes until April 2026.
🌐
NHS Prototype Kit
prototype-kit.service-manual.nhs.uk › install › windows › node
Node.js LTS version - NHS prototype kit
The kit is designed to work with Node.js LTS (Long Term Support) version 20 or higher.
🌐
Medium
medium.com › @nseth314 › node-js-lts-vs-current-how-to-choose-one-c5db139faf03
Node.js LTS vs Current: How to choose one? | by Nseth | Medium
October 28, 2024 - LTS versions are stable releases maintained and supported for an extended period. A Current version transitions to LTS status one year after its initial release.
🌐
Express
expressjs.com
Express - Node.js web application framework
Express 5.1.0 is now the default on npm, and we’re introducing an official LTS schedule for the v4 and v5 release lines. Check out our latest blog for more information. Express is a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a robust set of features for web and mobile applications.
🌐
NodeSource
nodesource.com › blog › nodejs-24-becomes-lts
Node.js 24 Becomes LTS: What You Need to Know
October 31, 2025 - Node.js 24.11.0 “Krypton”, the Node.js 24 line has officially entered Long-Term Support (LTS) and will continue receiving maintenance April 2028