'fast-async' is a Babel plugin that implements the ES7 keywords async and await using syntax transformation at compile-time, rather than generators. For Babel v6.x.x install fast-async@6 For Babel v7.x.x install fast-async@7 NB: Babel 7 is in beta. The core nodent functionality is due to be included in Babel 7 release - see babel/babel#7076 The main reason for using 'fast-async' as opposed to Babe