Node.js v20 Is Reaching End of Life

Node.js v20 is approaching End-of-Life (EOL) in April 2026. Once it does, it will no longer receive official security updates or maintenance releases.

This is a good moment to look back at what v20 brought to the ecosystem and to set expectations for what comes next when upgrading to a newer Node.js version.

Node.js v20 was cut in April 2023, and I’ve been involved with this release line for most of its lifetime. As a member of the Technical Steering Committee and a releaser, I helped maintain v20 throughout its supported years and released the majority of its versions.

Why v20 Was Important

Node.js v20 mattered not because of a single headline feature, but because of a series of incremental improvements that collectively moved the runtime forward.

It introduced the Permission Model as a safety-belt mechanism for addressing parts of the supply-chain security problem, stabilized the built-in test runner, and continued the long effort to make ECMAScript Modules the default choice. It’s also worth noting that v20 has been one of the most widely adopted Node.js versions, second only to v22 in download volume, which speaks to the trust many teams placed in it.

One of the most significant milestones in the v20 line was Node.js v20.19.0, which enabled require(esm) by default. This change meaningfully reduced friction between CommonJS and ESM, especially for larger and older codebases, and marked an important step in the evolution of Node.js module interoperability.

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What End of Life Means

When Node.js v20 reaches EOL, there will be no more official releases. Security vulnerabilities discovered after that point will not be patched upstream. For production systems, this has real consequences.

Ending support is a necessary part of how Node.js continues to evolve. Maintaining old release lines indefinitely would slow progress and place an unsustainable burden on open source maintainers. EOL is how the runtime keeps moving forward.

There are also downstream effects. Once a release line reaches EOL, new CVEs are marked as affecting it by default. As a result, security scanners will flag EOL Node.js versions regardless of whether a specific fix exists, which can quickly create operational and compliance pressure for teams still running them.

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What You Should Do Next

Not every team can move immediately. Large codebases, regulatory environments, long-lived systems, and external dependencies often make upgrades slower and more complex than expected. That doesn’t reflect negligence, it reflects reality.

For those cases, extended support exists. At HeroDevs, we provide Never-Ending Support for Node.js versions that have reached EOL, including v20. This includes ongoing security patching and critical fixes, allowing teams to remain secure while planning their next move.

As a maintainer, my first recommendation is straightforward: upgrade if you can. Running a supported Node.js version is always the safest and healthiest option.

I recommend migrating directly to Node.js v24. While Node.js v22 is a solid release, it is scheduled to reach End of Life in April 2027, which makes v24 the better long-term target for most teams planning an upgrade today.

I see this as a continuation of the same responsibility: upstream, we define lifecycles and move the runtime forward; downstream, we make sure users who need more time aren’t left exposed. The goal is the same in both places: helping people run Node.js safely and sustainably.

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Choices with EOL Node.js Installs

Node.js v20 played an important role in the runtime’s history. Its End-of-Life marks the end of that chapter.

If you can upgrade, you should. If you can’t yet, make sure you understand the risks and have a plan. Running EOL software without support is a choice, and it shouldn’t be an accidental one.

More details are available at https://www.herodevs.com/support/node-nes.