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.