Install Node.js and npm on a Linux VPS (nvm or NodeSource)

Most Linux distributions ship an old Node.js in their default repositories. To run modern apps such as Next.js you need a current LTS release. This guide shows the two reliable ways to install it on a VPS: nvm (per user, easy to switch versions) and NodeSource (system-wide packages).

Before you start

• A Linux VPS running Ubuntu 22.04/24.04, Debian 12, AlmaLinux 8/9 or Rocky Linux 8/9.
• SSH access as root or a sudo user. See Connect to a Linux VPS over SSH.
• The Node.js major version your project needs (check engines in package.json).

Which method should you choose?

Option A: install Node.js with nvm

1. Log in as the user that will run the app (not root, ideally).
2. Download and run the nvm install script from the official nvm-sh repository:
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   curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

3. Load nvm in the current shell (or log out and back in):
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   source ~/.bashrc

4. Install and use the latest LTS release:
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   nvm install --lts
   nvm alias default lts/*

5. To install a specific major version instead, for example 22:
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   nvm install 22

Option B: install Node.js from NodeSource

Ubuntu and Debian

1. Install the prerequisites and add the repository for your chosen major version (22 here):
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   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install -y curl ca-certificates
   curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -

2. Install Node.js (npm is included):
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   sudo apt install -y nodejs

AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux

1. Add the repository:
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   curl -fsSL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo bash -

2. Install Node.js:
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   sudo dnf install -y nodejs

Install build tools for native modules

Some npm packages (for example bcrypt or sharp on older versions) compile native code. Install a compiler toolchain so npm install does not fail:

sudo apt install -y build-essential

On AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux use sudo dnf groupinstall -y "Development Tools".

Check that it works

node -v
npm -v
which node

You should see the version you installed, for example v22.x.x. Then try a one-line server:

node -e "require('http').createServer((q,r)=>r.end('ok')).listen(3000)"

In a second SSH session run curl http://127.0.0.1:3000; it should print ok. Press Ctrl+C to stop the test server.

Troubleshooting

• nvm: command not found — open a new shell or run source ~/.bashrc. Check that the installer added the nvm lines to ~/.bashrc or ~/.profile.
• Old version still shows — another Node.js from the distro repository is earlier in PATH. Remove it with sudo apt remove nodejs and reinstall.
• EACCES on global installs — with NodeSource, use sudo npm install -g, or switch to nvm so globals live in your home folder.

Next steps

• Keep Node.js apps running with PM2
• Update or switch Node.js versions safely
• Deploy a Node.js app with PM2 and Nginx
• First steps on a new Linux VPS