semver

Semantic version parser for Node.js and JavaScript projects.

EstablishedOpen SourceLow lock-in

Pricing

Free tier

Flat rate

Adoption

Stable

License

Open Source

Data freshness

Aging · Jun 8, 2026

Overview

What is semver?

Semver is a semantic versioning library that provides tools to parse, validate, compare, and manipulate version strings. It's essential for managing software versions in development workflows.

Key differentiator

Semver is the de facto standard for parsing and validating semver-compliant version strings, deeply integrated into Node.js ecosystems.

Capability profile

Capability Radar

Ease of StartEcosystemValueMaturityFlexibilityScale Ready

Honest assessment

Strengths & Weaknesses

↑ Strengths

Version string parsing and validationmedium

Comparison of version stringsmedium

Range checking for semver rangesmedium

Compatibility with npm's versioning schememedium

↓ Weaknesses

Limited language supporthigh

While the primary language is JavaScript, official support for other languages like Python or Java is lacking.

Complex setup for non-JavaScript projectsmedium

Integrating semver into projects that are not primarily in JavaScript can require additional configuration and third-party libraries.

Documentation lacks depth and exampleshigh

The official documentation is concise but often does not provide enough context or detailed usage scenarios for complex operations.

Performance issues with large version rangesmedium

When dealing with a large number of version ranges, the performance can degrade significantly due to inefficient range checking algorithms.

Fit analysis

Who is it for?

✓ Best for

JavaScript and TypeScript developers who need to manage and validate semver-compliant version strings

Projects that require precise control over dependency versions in package.json files

✕ Not a fit for

Applications requiring complex versioning schemes beyond semantic versioning

Teams preferring a graphical user interface for managing software versions

Cost structure

Pricing

Free Tier

Available

Open source — free to use

Starts at

$0

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise

None

Performance benchmarks

How Fast Is It?

Ecosystem

Relationships

Next step

Get Started with semver

Step-by-step setup guide with code examples and common gotchas.

View Setup Guide →