nvm vs plenv
nvm
github.complenv
github.comSide by side
| Figure | nvm | plenv |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Runtime Version Managers | 8.5 (#4) | 7.5 (#17) |
| Spec score · Development Environment Managers | 8.4 (#10) | 7.4 (#35) |
| Integrations | Documented integrations include Docker, Ansible, zsh plugins, bash completion and optional nvshim shims. | The README recommends using plenv with Carton for Perl upgrades and deployments. |
| License | nvm is distributed under the MIT License, permitting use, modification, distribution and sale subject to retaining notices. | The project says plenv is free software redistributable under the same terms as Perl itself. |
| Purpose | nvm lets users install and use different Node.js versions from the command line. | plenv lets users select a Perl version for an application so the development environment matches production. |
| Shell support | It works on POSIX-compliant shells including sh, dash, ksh, zsh, and bash. | The README documents setup for Bash and Zsh, including optional shell integration and autocompletion. |
| Support | The project states that only the latest nvm version is supported. | The README directs users to GitHub issues for bug reports. |
| Version management | Users can install specific Node.js versions, switch between them, and set aliases such as a default version. | It installs Perl versions under the user's home directory and lets them switch versions in a shell. |
Plans
In their own words
nvm
nvm is a free, MIT-licensed command-line tool for installing and managing Node.js versions. It is designed for installation per user and invocation per shell, and works in POSIX-compliant shells including sh, dash, ksh, zsh, and bash. Users can install specific versions, switch between them, set aliases such as a default, and use LTS aliases and commands to select long-term support versions. A project can specify its Node.js version in an.nvmrc file; documented shell snippets can support automatic switching. During installation, nvm can reinstall global npm packages from another installed Node.js version. With the --offline flag, it can install a version that was previously downloaded or cached without network access. The project documents use in Docker, including an example for CI/CD jobs. On Windows, nvm can work through WSL and may work with Git Bash or Cygwin depending on the environment. Fish shell is not supported, and the project points users to community alternatives. The project states that only the latest nvm version is supported.
plenv
plenv is a free Perl version manager for selecting the interpreter an application uses, helping keep development aligned with production. It installs Perl versions in the user’s home directory and switches between them in the shell. A `.perl-version` file can pin a Perl version to a directory, taking precedence over the global selection. Shell script wrappers called shims route Perl executable commands to the selected version. Setup instructions cover Bash and Zsh, with optional shell integration and autocompletion. Installation options include GitHub, an archive, and Homebrew on Mac OS X. The `perl-build` plugin supplies `plenv install`; `plenv-contrib` adds `use` and `lib` commands as a local::lib integration replacement. The README recommends Carton for upgrades and deployments. `migrate-modules` installs the newest module versions from one Perl environment into another, though the resulting versions may differ. The README lists Perl 5.8.1+ and Bash as dependencies, and curl for `plenv install-cpanm`. plenv supports Linux and macOS and is free software redistributable under the same terms as Perl itself.