Node.js 20 "Iron" reached end of life on April 30, 2026, and Node.js 26 was released on May 5, 2026. Node.js 26 is scheduled to become the Active LTS line on October 28, 2026, three weeks from now. The Node.js project has also announced that, starting with Node.js 27, it will move to an annual release cycle in which every major version becomes LTS. Together, these changes affect any business that runs a Node.js backend, API or build pipeline.
What happened
The Node.js release schedule lists April 30, 2026 as the end-of-life date for Node.js 20. After that date, the project no longer ships security fixes for the 20.x line. The same schedule shows where the other lines stand:
| Version | Status in October 2026 | End of life |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 20 | End of life | April 30, 2026 |
| Node.js 22 | Maintenance LTS | April 30, 2027 |
| Node.js 24 | Active LTS, maintenance from October 20, 2026 | April 30, 2028 |
| Node.js 26 | Current, Active LTS from October 28, 2026 | April 30, 2029 |
The Node.js 26 release announcement highlights the Temporal date and time API enabled by default, an update to V8 14.6 and Undici 8.0.2. It also fully removes http.Server.prototype.writeHeader() and the legacy _stream_* modules, and runtime-deprecates module.register(). The announcement describes Temporal as a modern alternative to the legacy Date object, which is relevant for applications that handle bookings, billing periods or time zones, where date bugs are common and costly.
On its previous releases page, the project states that up to Node.js 26 only even-numbered releases moved to LTS, and that starting with Node.js 27 the release cycle will be annual, with every major version moving to LTS after its Current phase.
Why it matters for companies hiring IT firms
If your web application, API or serverless functions still run on Node.js 20, they are now on an unsupported runtime. Security issues found from now on will not be fixed for that line, and hosting platforms may stop offering it. Upgrading usually involves more than changing a version number: dependencies, native modules, Docker images and CI pipelines all need testing.
When you ask a Node.js development company for a quote, ask which LTS line it will target. For most work starting now, Node.js 24, or Node.js 26 after October 28, gives the longest supported runway. It is also worth asking where the Node.js version is defined in your project, so that you can check it yourself later:
- the engines field in package.json and any .nvmrc or .node-version file;
- Dockerfiles and container base images;
- CI/CD pipeline configuration and build servers;
- hosting, serverless or platform settings that select a runtime version.
Why it matters for IT firms
Agencies and product teams need an inventory of which client projects still pin Node.js 20 in package.json engines fields, .nvmrc files, Dockerfiles and hosting settings. The removals in Node.js 26 can break older libraries that rely on legacy stream modules. The switch to annual releases from Node.js 27 will also simplify planning: with every major becoming LTS, upgrades can be scheduled once a year rather than tracked by odd and even numbers. Teams that build JavaScript front ends are affected too, because their build tools run on Node.js.
What to do next
- Find every service, build server and function still on Node.js 20 and plan an upgrade to Node.js 24 or 26.
- Run your test suites on Node.js 26 now and look for warnings about removed or deprecated APIs.
- Update container base images and CI configuration to the chosen LTS line.
- Write the supported runtime version into maintenance contracts so upgrades are planned, not reactive.
Trusted IT Firms lists 80 companies offering Node.js development. Browse them in the directory.
Frequently asked questions
When did Node.js 20 reach end of life?
Node.js 20 reached end of life on April 30, 2026, according to the Node.js release schedule.
When does Node.js 26 become LTS?
Node.js 26 is scheduled to enter Active LTS on October 28, 2026, with end of life planned for April 30, 2029.
What changes from Node.js 27?
The Node.js project says that from Node.js 27 the release cycle will be annual and every major version will move to LTS after its Current phase.
Which Node.js version should a new project use?
Use an Active LTS line. Today that is Node.js 24, and from October 28, 2026 Node.js 26 becomes the newest Active LTS.
Sources
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