async-listen provides a promise-based alternative to the traditional http.Server.listen() method. It simplifies asynchronous server startup and allows for cleaner error handling when the port is already in use. Instead of relying on callbacks, it allows you to await the listening server, making your code more readable and easier to manage within an async/await context. This avoids callback hell and provides a more modern approach to starting Node.js servers.
Async-listen's release frequency is sporadic. Initial release was in October 2016 (v1.0.0). There were a few releases in 2019 (v1.1.0-1.2.0), and a small burst of releases in February 2022(v2.0.1-2.0.2). Another set of releases in Q1-Q3 2023 (v2.0.3-3.0.1). The latest release was in Feb 2025 (v3.1.0). Periods of no releases lasting for years exist.
Async-listen npm package downloads show a strong upward trend. Starting from 237,340 in February 2024, they surged, reaching over 11 million in August 2025. Download numbers have generally been above 9 million since January 2025, with July 2025 hitting a peak of over 11.5 million, although August's numbers are not complete.