# How to install Node.js on Ubuntu 24.04

> Three ways to install Node.js on Ubuntu 24.04, NodeSource, nvm and Ubuntu's own package, which one to pick, and how to update or switch versions later.

Source: https://vpsnine.com/tutorials/install-nodejs-ubuntu · Updated: 2026-10-21

Difficulty: beginner · Time: about 10 minutes · Tested on: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Prerequisites:

- A server running Ubuntu 24.04
- Root or a user with sudo

To install Node.js on Ubuntu 24.04 for a server, add NodeSource's repository with its `setup_lts.x` script and run `sudo apt install nodejs`: you get the current LTS release, and `apt upgrade` keeps it patched. If you need several Node.js versions side by side (one per project, or to test an upgrade), use nvm instead; Ubuntu's own `nodejs` package is Node.js 18, which is past its end of life.

## Which method to pick

| Method | Version on 21 October 2026 | Updates | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| NodeSource repository | v24.22.1 (LTS) | `apt upgrade`, with the rest of the system | Servers running one Node.js version |
| nvm | any, here v24.22.1 | `nvm install` per version, by hand | Developers, several versions per server |
| Ubuntu's `nodejs` package | 18.19.1 | Ubuntu's archive (universe) | Tools that only need some Node.js |

NodeSource builds the official Node.js releases as `.deb` packages, so the binary is installed system-wide in `/usr/bin/node`, works for every user, systemd services and PM2, and updates like any other package. nvm installs Node.js into one user's home directory, which is convenient on a laptop and awkward for services that run as another user.

Node.js 18 reached its end of life in April 2025 and gets no more fixes from the Node.js project, and many current packages refuse to install on it. Use it only if something else on the server depends on it.

## Install Node.js from NodeSource

Download NodeSource's setup script, look it over, and run it. It adds the repository and its signing key:

```bash
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_lts.x -o nodesource_setup.sh
less nodesource_setup.sh
sudo bash nodesource_setup.sh
sudo apt install -y nodejs
```

`setup_lts.x` follows the current LTS line; on 21 October 2026 that was Node.js 24. To pin a major version instead, use its script, for example `setup_22.x` or `setup_24.x`. The script writes `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/nodesource.sources`, which names the version line it chose.

Check it worked:

```bash
node -v
npm -v
```

```text
v24.22.1
11.19.1
```

The `nodejs` package from NodeSource includes npm and npx, so you don't need Ubuntu's separate `npm` package.

Some npm packages compile native code when they install. If an install fails with `gyp ERR!`, add the compiler tools:

```bash
sudo apt install -y build-essential
```

## Install Node.js with nvm

nvm (Node Version Manager) is a shell script that downloads Node.js builds into `~/.nvm`. Install it as the user who will run Node.js, not as root. Check the [nvm releases page](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm/releases) for the current version; on 21 October 2026 it was v0.40.8:

```bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.8/install.sh -o install-nvm.sh
less install-nvm.sh
bash install-nvm.sh
```

The script adds three lines to `~/.bashrc`. Load them in the current shell, then install the latest LTS release:

```bash
source ~/.bashrc
nvm install --lts
```

Check it worked:

```bash
node -v
nvm ls
```

`nvm ls` lists the installed versions and the `default` alias, which new shells use. Install and switch to other versions as you need them:

```bash
nvm install 22
nvm use 22
nvm alias default 24
```

A project can pin its version in a `.nvmrc` file (containing, for example, `24`); `nvm use` in that directory then picks it.

nvm only works in interactive shells that load `~/.bashrc`. A systemd service or cron job doesn't see `node` unless you give it the full path, such as `/home/deploy/.nvm/versions/node/v24.22.1/bin/node`, which changes with every upgrade. That's the main reason to prefer NodeSource on servers.

## Install Ubuntu's package

If a tool just needs some Node.js and you'd rather stay within Ubuntu's archive:

```bash
sudo apt install -y nodejs npm
node -v
```

This prints `v18.19.1`. It comes from Ubuntu's universe component, which Canonical doesn't guarantee security fixes for unless you have Ubuntu Pro.

## Update Node.js

- **NodeSource:** `sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade` brings the newest release within your major version. To move to a new major version, run that version's setup script (for example `setup_26.x` once it exists) and `sudo apt install nodejs` again.
- **nvm:** `nvm install --lts --reinstall-packages-from=current` installs the newest LTS release and copies your global npm packages across. Old versions stay until you `nvm uninstall` them.

After a major upgrade, reinstall your apps' dependencies (`npm ci`), because packages with native code are built for one Node.js version.

## Troubleshooting

**`node: command not found` right after `nvm install`.** The shell hasn't loaded nvm. Run `source ~/.bashrc`, or open a new SSH session.

**`apt` wants to remove 100 or more packages when you install NodeSource's Node.js.** That's expected if Ubuntu's `nodejs` and `npm` were installed first: apt replaces `nodejs` and removes Ubuntu's `npm` with the `node-*` libraries it depended on, since NodeSource's package brings its own npm. Let it, then clear up with `sudo apt autoremove`.

**`npm error code EACCES` when installing a global package.** With NodeSource's Node.js, global packages go to `/usr/lib/node_modules`, which needs `sudo npm install -g`. Never use `sudo` with nvm's npm; it installs into your home directory already.

**`apt` still offers v18 after the setup script.** The script didn't finish. Run it again and read its output, and check that `apt-cache policy nodejs` lists `deb.nodesource.com` with a higher priority than the Ubuntu archive.

## Next steps

- Run your app as a service with automatic restarts and a reverse proxy: [Deploy a Node.js app with PM2 and nginx on Ubuntu 24.04](https://vpsnine.com/tutorials/deploy-nodejs-app-pm2-nginx-ubuntu).
- Keep the rest of the system patched: [Automatic security updates](https://vpsnine.com/help/automatic-security-updates).
- Official references: [NodeSource distributions](https://github.com/nodesource/distributions), [nvm](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm), [Node.js release schedule](https://nodejs.org/en/about/previous-releases).