Node.js FAQ

The latest LTS version of Node.js is 24.14.0. There are currently 4 actively supported versions and 21 versions that have reached end of life. Visit the Node.js Version Tracker for full details.

LTS (Long Term Support) versions receive 30 months of support: 12 months of active development followed by 18 months of maintenance. Current versions are the latest release with newest features but only receive support until the next major version. For production, use LTS. For testing new features, use Current.

Node.js releases a new major version every 6 months. Even-numbered versions (20, 22, 24) are released in April and become LTS in October. Odd-numbered versions (21, 23, 25) are released in October and are short-lived Current releases that never become LTS.

Upgrade when your current LTS version enters maintenance mode or approaches end of life. A good practice is to upgrade to the new LTS version within 3-6 months of its LTS promotion. Always test your application and dependencies against the new version first, particularly native addons (N-API) and any version-specific behaviors.

Node.js 18 reached end of life on April 30, 2025 and no longer receives security patches or bug fixes. Upgrade to a currently supported version. See the Node.js Version Tracker for supported versions.

Yes. ES modules (import/export syntax) are fully supported in Node.js since version 12. Set "type": "module" in your package.json or use the .mjs file extension. CommonJS (require) and ESM can coexist in the same project, though there are some interop considerations around default exports and top-level await.

When a Node.js version reaches EOL, it stops receiving security patches, bug fixes, and compatibility updates. Running EOL Node.js in production exposes you to unpatched vulnerabilities. npm packages may also drop support for EOL versions, causing dependency resolution failures.

Use the latest Active LTS version for production. This gives you the best balance of stability, security updates, and ecosystem compatibility. Avoid odd-numbered Current releases in production as they have short support windows and may introduce breaking changes.