Your Minecraft server can run on different software. The most important question: do you want plugins or mods?
- Plugins only run on the server. Your players don't need to install anything and join with normal Minecraft. Examples: homes, permissions, shops, minigames.
- Mods change the game itself, e.g. with new blocks, creatures or dimensions. For that, all players need the same mods on their PC.
The software at a glance
| Software | What for | Players need |
|---|---|---|
| Paper (our default) | plugins, fast and efficient – the best choice for most servers | nothing |
| Purpur | like Paper, with even more settings | nothing |
| Vanilla | the original by Mojang, without plugins or mods | nothing |
| Fabric | mods, lightweight, quick with new versions | the same mods* |
| Forge | large, classic mods and modpacks | the same mods |
| Mohist | Forge mods and plugins together | the same mods |
*Pure server mods (e.g. Lithium for more performance) are not needed by players on Fabric.
Our recommendation
- Playing with friends, without mods: Paper.
- Community server with ranks, shops, minigames: Paper or Purpur.
- A specific modpack (e.g. All the Mods): via the modpack installer – the right software comes with it. How it works.
- Your own selection of mods: Fabric for new Minecraft versions, Forge for older and large mods.
- Mohist only if you really need mods and plugins at the same time – the combination is more prone to errors.
Switching
Server page → Installer → Server version → choose software and version → Switch. We set the matching Java version automatically, your world is kept. Leave the automatic backup checked – instructions.
Good to know
- From mods back to Paper: Blocks and items from mods then disappear from the world. Create a backup first.
- Plugins run on Paper, Purpur and Mohist – not on Fabric, Forge or Vanilla.
- Mods need more memory – guide values.