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CLI Open source 240,086 installs/mo

node for Mac

Open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment

Quick answer: node is a developer tool for macOS. Install it with brew install node. It is distributed under the MIT licence. It has 240,086 Homebrew installs in the last 30 days.

What node is

node is a developer tool for macOS: open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment.

It is distributed as a Homebrew formula, which builds or pours a binary and puts it on your PATH. It is distributed under the MIT licence.

How to install node

  1. Open Terminal (press ⌘ + Space and type “Terminal”).
  2. If Homebrew is not installed yet, run the installer below once.
  3. Run brew install node.

Homebrew installer, if you need it:

Prefer a graphical installer? Download it from the official site. MacPicks never hosts or mirrors binaries — the Homebrew command always pulls from the vendor's own release.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I install node on Mac?

Run brew install node in Terminal. This requires Homebrew; if you do not have it, install it first with the command below.

Is node open source?

Yes — Homebrew distributes it under the MIT licence.

Does node run on Apple silicon?

Homebrew publishes this formula for macOS. If upstream does not ship an Apple silicon build, Rosetta 2 handles the Intel binary.

How popular is node?

It was installed 240,086 times in the last 30 days according to Homebrew analytics, ranking #2 in this catalogue.

What version of node is current?

The latest packaged version is 26.12.1.