When you first hear about Node.js, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with all the extra terms like npm, nvm, and npx flying around.
Don't worry — by the end of this post, you'll not only know what each of them means, but you'll also know why they exist and how they fit together.

Let's break it down, in the simplest way possible.

What is Node (or Node.js)?

Imagine you have a sports car (JavaScript) — but it's stuck inside a racetrack (the browser).
You can only drive it inside that track.

Now, what if you wanted to drive it on highways, through cities, anywhere you like?

Node.js is like building a powerful engine that lets JavaScript drive outside the racetrack — on the entire internet! 🚗💨

In technical terms:

  • Node.js allows JavaScript to run outside a web browser.
  • It’s built on Google Chrome’s V8 engine, which makes it very fast.
  • With Node.js, you can create servers, tools, APIs, scripts, and even desktop apps — all using JavaScript.

In short: Node.js takes JavaScript from the browser to the real world.

What is npm?

Alright, now that you have your sports car (JavaScript with Node.js), you realize:

  • "I need a GPS."
  • "I want better tires."
  • "I need fancy headlights."

Are you going to build all of that from scratch?
Of course not!
You’ll go to a shop and buy those accessories.

npm is that shop 🛒 — but for code.

  • npm (Node Package Manager) is a marketplace where developers share reusable pieces of code (called "packages").
  • You can install these packages into your project in seconds instead of building everything yourself.

Example:
Want to send emails in your app? Instead of coding it manually, you can just install an email package:

npm install nodemailer

And it's ready to use!
Over 2 million packages are available on npm — everything you can imagine.

In short: npm is the world's largest supermarket for ready-made JavaScript tools.

What is nvm?

Imagine now that you have two cars 🚗:

  • One is for racing.
  • One is for everyday driving.

You can’t use racing tires on city roads — you need different setups depending on the situation.

Similarly, different projects may need different Node.js versions.
Some old projects work only on Node.js 14, but new ones need Node.js 20.

nvm (Node Version Manager) is like your car garage — it lets you easily switch between different Node engines whenever needed.

Using nvm, you can:

  • Install multiple Node versions on your system.
  • Switch between them instantly.
  • Test if your app works on different versions. 
nvm install 16   # installs Node.js 16
nvm install 20   # installs Node.js 20
nvm use 16       # switches to Node.js 16
nvm use 20       # switches to Node.js 20

Without nvm, switching versions would be a real headache.

In short: nvm is your personal garage manager for different Node.js engines.

What is npx?

Now, back to our sports car analogy 🏎️ —
Sometimes, you just want to test drive a car without buying it.

npx is like a test drive for npm packages.

  • npx lets you run any package directly without permanently installing it.
  • It’s useful when you need a tool just once.

Example:
You want to create a new React app, but you don’t want to install the create-react-app tool permanently.

Just run:

npx create-react-app my-project

It downloads and runs create-react-app temporarily, and then cleans up.

In short: npx lets you borrow a tool for a quick ride without putting it in your garage.

Different Ways to Install Node.js

Now that you understand the players (Node, npm, nvm, npx), let's talk about how you can install Node.js on your machine.

Installing Node.js on Windows
Option 1: Direct Install (Simple but not flexible)

  • Visit https://nodejs.org/.
  • Download the LTS (Long Term Support) version.
  • Run the installer and click "Next" → "Next" → "Install."

It will install both Node.js and npm automatically.

You can check installation:

node -v
npm -v

✅ Good for beginners. ❌ Bad if you later need multiple Node.js versions.

Option 2: Install Node.js using nvm for Windows (Recommended)

  • Download nvm-setup.exe.
  • Install nvm (very easy setup).
  • Use it to install Node.js versions: 
nvm install 18.16.0
nvm use 18.16.0

✅ Good for future-proofing (manage different versions). ✅ Easy switching between Node versions. ✅ Cleaner system.

Installing Node.js on Ubuntu (Linux)

Option 1: Install from Ubuntu’s Software Repo

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm

⚠️ Warning:

Ubuntu’s repo may give you an outdated version.

Option 2: Install Latest Node.js from NodeSource

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

✅ Gets you the latest stable version. ✅ Comes with npm.

Option 3: Install Using nvm (Best Way)

First, install nvm:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.5/install.sh | bash

Then install Node:

nvm install 18
nvm use 18

✅ Best for flexibility. ✅ Lets you manage Node versions easily.

Quick Commands Checklist After Installation

After installing Node.js, verify everything:

node -v    # See Node.js version
npm -v     # See npm version
npx -v     # See npx version

If these commands work, you’re all set! 🎉

Wrapping Up

Node.js has completely changed how developers use JavaScript —
From front-end only, to building full applications, websites, servers, APIs, and even real-time apps (like chat apps)!

If you're starting out — mastering Node, npm, nvm, and npx will unlock endless possibilities in your development journey 🚀.