Which Server Version Should I Choose?

If there is a version you would like to use which is not available on the panel, please follow our guide on how to install a custom server jar here.

In this article we’ll go over the most used Minecraft server versions which helps you understand them better and hopefully help you choose the right one for you.

We will go over Vanilla Minecraft, Paper, Spigot, Forge, Fabric, NeoForge

1. Vanilla Minecraft

Vanilla is the unmodified, default version of Minecraft provided by Mojang. This is the purest Minecraft experience you can get.

Pros

• Pure Minecraft Experience

• Very Simple Setup

• Immediate Updates for Newest Versions and Snapshots

Cons

• Limited Performance

• Does not support Mods or Plugins

2. Paper (recommended for plugins)

Paper is a high-performance fork of Spigot with additional optimizations and features.

Pros

• Improved Performance compared to Vanilla and Spigot

• Advanced Configuration Options for more Customization

• Bug Fixes that are found in Vanilla or Spigot

Cons

• Breaks some Vanilla Mechanics and Farms (click here how to prevent this)

• Can be difficult to understand the configurations

• Does not support Mods

3. Spigot

Spigot is widely used server software based on CraftBukkit which offers plugin support and performance improvements.

Pros

• Improved Performance compared to Vanilla

• Supports Plugins

Cons

• Limited compared to Paper

• Requires more Server Resources than Vanilla for larger setups

4. Forge

Forge is a modding platform that allows servers to run mods which can transform the gameplay entirely. There are hundreds of thousands of mods and modpacks based on Forge that you can use.

Pros

• Large Mod and Modpack Library

• Offers a Custom Gameplay Opportunity

Cons

• Performance Issues with heavier Mods and/or Modpacks

• Requires the installation of Mods onto clients’ Computer

5. Fabric (recommended for mods)

Fabric is a lightweight modding platform known for its simplicity and performance.

Pros

• Minimal Impact on Performance compared to Forge

• Usually supports newer Minecraft versions quicker than Forge

Cons

• Smaller Mod Library compared to Forge

6. NeoForge

NeoForge is a fork of Forge that improves the modding capabilities.

Pros

• Adds Improvements that are not found in Forge

Cons

• Smaller Mod Library compared to Forge or Fabric

• Relatively New and not as known as Fabric or Forge

7. Arclight

Arclight allows you to install both mods and plugins onto your server.

Pros

• Supports both mods and plugins at the same time

Cons

• Requires Manual Installation and Configuration in most cases

• Common to have errors on conflicts if not managed carefully

Bungeecord (only for creating networks)

Bungeecord is a proxy system that allows you to link multiple Minecraft servers together, into a single network.

Pros

• Easily navigate on many different servers under one

• Good for Large Networks or Communities

Cons

• Requires Multiple Servers

• Requires more knowledge on Server Management

As you can see, each version has its own pros and cons and choosing the right one depends on what you’re looking to get. You can always switch between the versions through the game panel with a few clicks!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us through the ticket system.