Node.js: What is the difference between require() and import in Node.js?

require() — CommonJS (synchronous). import — ES6 modules (asynchronous).

require():

• CommonJS syntax.
• Synchronous.
• Dynamic.
• Default in older Node.js.

1// CommonJS
2const fs = require("fs");
3const { readFile } = require("fs");

import:

• ES6 module syntax.
• Asynchronous.
• Static (can be optimized).
• Need "type": "module" in package.json.

1// ES6 modules
2import fs from "fs";
3import { readFile } from "fs";

Key differences:

• require — CommonJS, sync.
• import — ES6, async.
• require — dynamic.
• import — static.