Flux
Flux is an open-source command-line package manager for JavaScript and Node.js projects, built by Gautam Suthar.
What Flux is
Flux is an open-source command-line package manager for JavaScript and Node.js projects, built by Gautam Suthar. It installs, updates, lists, and removes packages from the npm registry and runs scripts from package.json. It works with package.json and puts installed packages in node_modules. Downloaded package tarballs are kept in a shared per-user cache so later projects can copy them locally. Flux can be installed globally through npm or used as a standalone binary that does not require Node.js; the npm installation requires Node 18 or later. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Flux is MIT licensed and free for personal and commercial use, with no paid tier. Its maker says it has no telemetry and requires no account. The alpha handles direct dependencies only: it has no dependency tree resolution or lockfile, so installs are not reproducible. The maker says it is not ready for production and recommends it for side projects and experiments, while advising users to keep npm or pnpm for projects they ship.
Good
- Free for personal and commercial use.
- MIT licensed with no paid tier.
- Standalone binary does not require Node.js.
- Shared cache can serve later projects.
- No telemetry or account requirement, according to its maker.
Watch out
- Alpha installs direct dependencies only.
- No dependency tree resolution or lockfile support.
- Installs are not reproducible.
- Maker says it is not ready for production.
Who it suits
Flux may suit JavaScript and Node.js developers experimenting with projects or working on side projects. Its maker advises keeping npm or pnpm for projects intended to ship.
Verdict
Flux offers a free, lightweight package-management option for side projects and experiments. Its missing dependency resolution and lockfile support make its stated production limitations important to heed.
Plans and prices
From Flux's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | No paid tier · MIT licensed · personal and commercial use |
The facts
Each one read from Flux's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Alpha limits
- Flux installs direct dependencies only and has no dependency tree resolution or lockfile, so installs are not reproducible and the maker says it is not ready for production.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- Flux uses the npm registry, reads and writes package.json, and installs into node_modules.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Install options
- Flux is available as a global npm package or as a standalone binary that does not require Node.js.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The maker recommends Flux for side projects and experiments and says to keep npm or pnpm for projects you ship.checked 7 Oct 2026
- License and use
- Flux is MIT licensed and free for personal and commercial use, with no paid tier.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker states Flux has no telemetry and does not require an account.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Flux is an open source command line package manager for JavaScript and Node.js projects.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Flux installs, updates, lists, and removes packages from the npm registry and runs scripts in package.json.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The npm installation requires Node 18 or later; the standalone binary includes no runtime.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Shared cache
- Flux keeps downloaded package tarballs in a shared per user cache so later projects can copy them from disk.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- Flux is built by Gautam Suthar.checked 7 Oct 2026
