In today’s digital world, applications are expected to be available 24/7. Whether it’s a SaaS platform, API service, or enterprise application, even a few minutes of downtime can impact users and revenue.
When running Node.js applications in production, one of the biggest challenges is ensuring reliability and uptime. This is where PM2 plays a critical role.
What Is PM2?
PM2 (Process Manager 2) is a powerful production process manager for Node.js applications. It helps developers and businesses keep their applications running continuously by monitoring, restarting, and managing processes automatically.
Simply put:
PM2 ensures your Node.js application stays online—no matter what.
Why PM2 Is Important for Production Environments
1. Automatic Restart on Crashes
Applications can crash due to bugs, memory leaks, or unexpected traffic. PM2 automatically restarts your application when a crash occurs, ensuring minimal downtime.
2. Run Applications in the Background
With PM2, your application runs as a background service. Even if you close your terminal or disconnect from the server, your app keeps running smoothly.
3. Auto Start After Server Reboot
Server restarts are unavoidable due to updates or maintenance. PM2 can be configured to auto-start all applications after a reboot, ensuring uninterrupted service.
4. Centralized Log Management
PM2 automatically captures:
- Application logs
- Error logs
This makes troubleshooting faster and keeps logs well organized.
5. Improved Performance with Cluster Mode
PM2 can run your application in cluster mode, utilizing all available CPU cores. This improves performance and allows your app to handle high traffic efficiently.
How PM2 Works?
PM2 acts as a layer between your server and your application. It:
- Starts and manages application processes
- Monitors CPU and memory usage
- Restarts apps on failure
- Manages logs centrally
- Balances load across CPU cores
Common PM2 Commands
1) Install PM2
npm install -g pm2
2) Start an application
pm2 start app.js
3) View running applications
pm2 list
4) View logs
pm2 logs
5) Restart an Application
pm2 restart app-name
6) Using PM2 in Cluster Mode
pm2 start app.js -i max
This command runs the application on all available CPU cores, making it ideal for APIs, SaaS platforms, and high-traffic applications.
Related Post- Install and Run Newman | Use Newman with Postman
Who Should Use PM2?
PM2 is ideal for:
- Node.js & Express APIs
- SaaS platforms
- CPaaS systems (SMS, WhatsApp, Voice, Email APIs)
- E-commerce and delivery applications
- Applications hosted on AWS, DigitalOcean, or private VPS servers
PM2 vs Running Node.js Directly
| Feature | Node.js Only | PM2 |
| Automatic Restart | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Background Execution | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Log Management | ❌ Manual | ✅ Built-in |
| Load Balancing | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Production Ready | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Final Thoughts
PM2 is a must-have tool for deploying Node.js applications in production. It improves stability, performance, and reliability while reducing operational effort.
If you are running a Node.js application and want zero downtime, PM2 is the right solution.
How Global Tech Developers Can Help?
At Global Tech Developers, we help businesses:
- Deploy and scale Node.js applications
- Set up PM2 for production environments
- Optimize server performance and uptime
- Build secure, scalable backend architectures
Contact us today to ensure your applications run smoothly in production.
