How to Choose the Best Minecraft Server Framework
Every Minecraft server runs on a server.jar file - it's the engine powering your server. But not all engines are created equal! The framework you choose determines performance, features, and the type of customization available.
Here's a complete guide to help you make the right choice.
The framework also determines your RAM requirements. Consult our Minecraft server RAM guide to correctly size your server.
Quick Comparison Table
| Framework | Type | Plugins | Mods | Performance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla | Official | No | No | 2/5 | Pure gameplay without modifications |
| CraftBukkit | Plugins | Yes | No | 2/5 | Basic servers with plugins |
| Spigot | Plugins | Yes | No | 3/5 | Community servers |
| Paper | Plugins | Yes | No | 5/5 | High-performance / high traffic |
| Purpur | Plugins | Yes | No | 5/5 | Advanced customization |
| Forge | Mods | No | Yes | 3/5 | Modpacks (ATM, RLCraft...) |
| Fabric | Mods | No | Yes | 4/5 | Lightweight mods / performance |
| NeoForge | Mods | Yes | Yes | 4/5 | Recent modpacks (ATM10) |
Vanilla
Original Minecraft, no frills.
This is the official version provided by Mojang. No modifications, no plugins - just Minecraft as it was designed.
Advantages:
- No configuration required
- Always up-to-date with latest versions
- Ideal for discovering the game
Disadvantages:
- No plugins or mods
- Limited performance with many players
- Little control over the server
Who is it for? Small servers between friends who want a 100% vanilla experience.
CraftBukkit / Spigot
The pioneers of plugin servers.
Bukkit is the historic API that revolutionized Minecraft servers by enabling plugin support. Spigot is its direct successor with better performance and more features.
Advantages:
- Access to thousands of plugins
- Massive community and abundant documentation
- Free and open source
Disadvantages:
- Lower performance than Paper
- Fewer optimization updates
Who is it for? Servers that want plugins without complexity.
Did you know? Spigot is backward-compatible with Bukkit plugins. You can migrate without reconfiguring everything!
Paper
The professional choice. Maximum performance.
Paper is a fork of Spigot focused on optimization and bug fixes. It's now the most widely used framework for plugin servers.
Advantages:
- Significantly better performance than Spigot
- Minecraft bug and exploit fixes
- Extended API for developers
- Compatible with all Spigot/Bukkit plugins
- Fast updates
Disadvantages:
- Some vanilla behaviors are modified (may bother purists)
Who is it for? All plugin servers, small or large. It's the standard in 2026.
# Download Paper
curl -o paper.jar https://api.papermc.io/v2/projects/paper/versions/1.21.1/builds/latest/downloads/paper-1.21.1.jar
Purpur
Paper on steroids. Ultimate customization.
Purpur is a Paper fork that adds tons of configuration options you won't find anywhere else.
Advantages:
- All Paper performance benefits
- Unique gameplay options (rideable mobs, configurable TNT, etc.)
- Extreme customization via
purpur.yml
Disadvantages:
- Can be complex for beginners
- Less known = fewer online resources
Who is it for? Admins who want total control over every aspect of the game.
Example Purpur features:
- Make Phantoms rideable
- Disable Enderman spawning in rain
- Modify crop growth speed
- And hundreds of other options...
Forge
The king of mods. The richest ecosystem.
Forge is THE historic framework for Minecraft mods. The majority of big modpacks (RLCraft, Pixelmon, All The Mods...) run on Forge.
Advantages:
- Gigantic mod catalog
- Compatible with most popular modpacks
- Community established since 2011
Disadvantages:
- Heavier than Fabric
- Longer startup times
- Updates sometimes slow
Who is it for? Modded servers with Forge modpacks (RLCraft, Pixelmon, ATM9...).
Fabric
Lightweight, fast, modern.
Fabric is a modern alternative to Forge, designed to be lightweight and fast. It's particularly popular for optimization mods (Sodium, Lithium, Iris).
Advantages:
- Ultra-fast startup
- High-performance optimization mods
- Rapid updates after each Minecraft version
- Modern architecture
Disadvantages:
- Fewer mods available than Forge
- Incompatible with Forge mods
Who is it for? Servers that want lightweight mods and optimal performance.
NeoForge
The new standard for Minecraft 1.20+
NeoForge emerged from a Forge fork in 2023, with a renewed team and modernized vision. It's now required for recent modpacks like ATM10 or Cobblemon Academy 2.0.
Advantages:
- Better threading than classic Forge
- Active support and frequent updates
- Required for 1.20+/1.21+ modpacks
Disadvantages:
- Still a young ecosystem
- Incompatible with older Forge mods
Who is it for? Servers that want to play the latest modpacks.
Hybrid Solutions: Mohist, Arclight, Magma
Best of both worlds? Plugins + Mods.
These frameworks attempt to combine Forge + Bukkit/Spigot, allowing use of mods AND plugins on the same server.
| Framework | Base | Stability | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohist | Forge + Paper | 3/5 | Most popular |
| Arclight | Forge + Spigot | 3/5 | Stable alternative |
| Magma | Forge + Paper | 2/5 | Less maintained |
Warning: Hybrids can cause incompatibilities and bugs. Use with caution and only if you genuinely need both.
How to Choose the Right Framework
Decision Flowchart
-
What type of server?
- Plugins only → Go to step 2
- Mods only → Go to step 3
- Both → Consider Mohist (with caution)
-
Need maximum performance?
- Yes → Paper or Purpur
- No → Spigot is fine
-
Which modpack or mod type?
- Recent (1.20+) → NeoForge
- Classic modpacks → Forge
- Lightweight/optimization → Fabric
Summary Recommendations
| Your Need | Recommended Framework |
|---|---|
| Vanilla server between friends | Vanilla |
| Survival server with plugins | Paper (Recommended) |
| Minigames / high traffic server | Paper or Purpur |
| Modpack like RLCraft, Pixelmon | Forge |
| Modpack like ATM10, Cobblemon 2.0 | NeoForge |
| Optimization mods (Sodium, Iris) | Fabric |
| Plugins + Mods together | Mohist (use with caution) |
Ready to Launch Your Server?
At LordHosting, all our Minecraft servers support all these frameworks. Switch versions with 1 click from your panel!
Need help choosing? Our support team is available 24/7 to advise you based on your project. Contact us!