Where Node.js fits
Install it when a project depends on JavaScript tooling or a Node-based service.
Check before you choose
Match the runtime version to your project's requirements rather than automatically choosing the newest release.
Find the right edition
Start with the destination for your device or the publisher's website. Use the current requirements and terms there to confirm the edition you need.
Compare the workflow
Start with the tools your project requires. An editor does not replace a language runtime, and a graphical Git client does not remove the need to understand branches and published changes.