Node.js is one of the most powerful and popular application development platforms today, widely favored by developers for its asynchronous processing capabilities and high performance. Installing Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS not only enhances application performance but also ensures a high level of security. In this article, we’ll walk you through the detailed steps to install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS — from initial preparations to the installation process and common errors you might encounter. 

Overview of Node.js

Before diving into the technical steps, let’s take a closer look at Node.js to get a better overall understanding.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is not a programming language, but a JavaScript runtime environment built on Google Chrome’s V8 engine. Simply put, while JavaScript is traditionally used to create interactive features in web browsers, Node.js enables JavaScript to run directly on the server. This opens up the ability to build backend services, APIs, real-time applications, and various development tools — all using just JavaScript.
Key Features of Node.js Include:
  • Server-side JavaScript execution: Node.js allows developers to write JavaScript code that runs on the server, in addition to the browser.
  • Asynchronous, event-driven architecture: This enables Node.js to handle multiple connections simultaneously without blocking operations.
  • Rich package ecosystem: The Node.js ecosystem includes millions of open-source packages that can be easily integrated into your application.
  • Ideal for real-time applications: Node.js is well-suited for building fast, responsive applications such as chat apps and online games.
In addition to these standout features, Node.js provides a unified development environment for both the client and server sides, helping reduce complexity in web application development.

What is Node.js 22?

Each new version of Node.js brings improvements and new features. Node.js 22 is the latest release at the time of writing, introducing significant upgrades in performance, security, and support for the latest technologies.
Node.js versions typically fall into two categories: Long-Term Support (LTS) and Current. LTS versions are designed for production environments, offering greater stability and extended support. Current versions, on the other hand, introduce the newest features and innovations.
Once Node.js 22 transitions into LTS status, it will become the preferred choice for many developers due to its performance optimizations and enhanced security.

What-is-Node-js-22

Benefits of Installing Node.js 22 on a Debian 10 VPS

Installing Node.js 22 on a Debian 10 VPS offers several significant benefits, especially for backend developers, real-time applications, and high-traffic systems. Here are some reasons why you should consider installing Node.js 22 on Debian 10:

Superior Performance and Enhanced Features

Node.js 22 brings numerous performance improvements over previous versions. When building applications with Node.js 22, developers can benefit from the following advantages:
  • High concurrency handling: Node.js 22 is capable of managing millions of concurrent connections without lag or performance degradation.
  • Resource efficiency: With better performance, applications use memory more efficiently, helping reduce overall server resource consumption.
  • Faster development: New improvements in Node.js 22 make it easier and faster to write and maintain clean, efficient code.
For anyone seeking better performance and greater flexibility, upgrading to Node.js 22 is clearly a smart move.

Improved Security

  • Security updates: Each new Node.js release includes patches for known vulnerabilities found in previous versions, helping protect your server from potential attacks.
  • Enhanced security features: New security enhancements can also help safeguard sensitive data within your application.

This not only helps protect user data but also builds trust among both customers and developers.

Easy npm Updates and Integration

npm (Node Package Manager) is the most widely used package manager in the Node.js ecosystem. Node.js 22 comes bundled with the latest version of npm, making dependency management easier and more efficient.
npm updates often bring faster installation speeds, smarter dependency handling, and fixes for previous issues — ultimately saving developers time and effort during the development process.

Support for the Latest Features

  • Memory Optimization: Improvements in Node.js 22 allow for more efficient memory usage.
  • Faster Concurrent Processing: Node.js handles concurrent tasks effectively, enabling your application to manage multiple connections simultaneously without slowing down.

Compatibility and Development Environment Support

  • Stable Environment: Debian 10 is a lightweight and stable operating system, allowing your Node.js applications to run smoothly with minimal issues. It’s especially well-suited for servers that require high reliability over extended periods.
  • Long-Term Support: Debian 10 receives long-term security updates, ensuring a stable system environment for running Node.js 22. This reduces security risks and minimizes maintenance efforts during application deployment and operation.

Prerequisites to install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS

Before you install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS, it’s important to make sure that the necessary prerequisites are in place. These include having an up-to-date system, proper user permissions, and a stable internet connection.

Make Sure Debian 10 is Up to Date

To successfully install Node.js, the first step is to ensure that your Debian 10 system is fully updated. This helps prevent package conflicts and ensures that all the necessary system libraries are available. Run the following command to update your system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y📋Copied!

Updating ensures that you have the latest software packages along with important security patches, reducing the risk of issues when installing new software. If you skip this step, you may encounter unexpected errors during the installation process.

install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS

Ensure You Have the Required Access (Root or Sudo)

Another crucial requirement when you want to install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS is having root or sudo access. This level of permission allows you to make necessary system-level changes without running into permission issues.
To check if you have sudo privileges, run the following command:
sudo -l📋Copied!
If you don’t have the required access, you’ll need to contact your system administrator or take the necessary steps to add your user to the sudo group.

Install Required Dependencies

To ensure Node.js and npm work smoothly, you’ll need to install a few essential packages such as build-essential and curl. Use the following command:
sudo apt install curl build-essential git -y📋Copied!
  • curl – A command-line tool used for downloading data.
  • build-essential – A package that includes the necessary tools for compiling software.
  • git – Useful for version control and managing source code.

Stable Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is essential to ensure that your VPS can successfully download the necessary packages from NodeSource and other repositories. Without it, the installation process may fail or become unreliable.

Ensure Sufficient System Resources

Finally, before you proceed to install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS, ensure that the server meets the minimum hardware requirements. These include:
  • CPU: At least 1 core
  • RAM: At least 1 GB
  • Disk Space: Minimum of 20 GB free
Meeting these requirements ensures that your application will have enough resources to run smoothly.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS

Once all the prerequisites are in place, you can proceed to install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete the installation with ease.

Log In to Your VPS

Purchase a VPS and log in using Bitvise SSH Client. In this example, VPSWindows will demonstrate how to install Node.js 22 on a Singapore-based VPS running Debian 10. If you’re using a VPS from other countries such as the US, UK, France, etc., the process will be similar.

Check Your Debian Version

Before starting to install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS, you should verify that you’re running Debian 10. To check the version, run the following command:
cat /etc/os-release📋Copied!
If the output indicates that you’re using Debian 10, you’re ready to proceed.

Method 1: Install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS Using NodeSource

NodeSource provides the official APT repository for Node.js and is the recommended installation method for production environments.
Download and run the NodeSource setup script:
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -📋Copied!
This command downloads the NodeSource setup script and adds the Node.js 22 repository to your system’s package sources.
Install Node.js:
Once the repository has been added, you can install Node.js and npm with the following command:
sudo apt install nodejs -y📋Copied!
Your system will automatically locate and install the latest 22.x version of Node.js from the NodeSource repository.

Method 2: Install Node.js 22 Using NVM

Install NVM (If Not Already Installed)

NVM (Node Version Manager) is a useful tool that allows you to install and manage multiple versions of Node.js on the same system — ideal when working on multiple projects that require different Node.js versions.
Download and install NVM:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash📋Copied!
This command will download NVM to the ~/.nvm directory and append the necessary configuration lines to your shell configuration file (such as ~/.bashrc).
Activate NVM:
After installation, you need to “source” your shell configuration file to activate NVM in the current terminal session:
source ~/.bashrc📋Copied!
# Or use source ~/.profile if NVM was added there📋Copied!
To verify that NVM has been installed correctly, run: command -v nvm📋Copied!

Install Node.js 22 Using NVM

Once NVM is set up, installing Node.js 22 is simple:

Install and use Node.js 22:
nvm install 22📋Copied!
nvm use 22📋Copied!
NVM will automatically download and install the latest 22.x version of Node.js.

Verify Node.js 22 Installation

After you install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS, it’s important to verify that both Node.js and npm were installed correctly.
Check the Node.js version:
node -v📋Copied!
The output should be something like v22. x.x.
Check the npm version:
npm -v📋Copied!
The output will show the version of npm that comes bundled with Node.js 22.

Comparing Node.js 22 with Older Versions on Debian 10 VPS

Upgrading to Node.js 22 brings clear advantages over older versions:

Performance: Node.js 22, powered by the latest V8 engine, delivers significant improvements in JavaScript execution speed. Your applications will run faster, respond more quickly, and handle more concurrent requests. This is especially important for high-performance use cases such as APIs, real-time applications, or microservices.

Security: Node.js 22 is continuously updated with the latest security patches, helping to fix known vulnerabilities and protect your application from online threats. Running an outdated version can expose your system to potential attacks.

Compatibility: Node.js 22 ensures better compatibility with modern JavaScript libraries and frameworks. This makes it easier to integrate new technologies, take full advantage of advanced features in popular frameworks, and maintain long-term scalability and maintainability.

Installing Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS is a crucial step toward optimizing both the performance and security of your web applications.
Installing Node.js 22 on a Debian 10 VPS is a straightforward yet essential step for developing Node.js applications. Once installed, you can easily begin building your applications and managing packages through npm. We hope this guide from VPSWindows has helped you better understand how to install Node.js 22 on Debian 10 VPS.