Applies to: Minecraft Java Edition · All plans
When you set up a Minecraft server, one of the first things you need to pick is your server software. Think of server software as the engine running your server behind the scenes; different engines have different features.
Quick answer
| If you want… | Then use… |
| A standard Minecraft experience, no extras | Vanilla |
| Extra features like shops, land protection, or minigames | Paper |
| Big changes like new items, blocks, or whole new worlds | Fabric or Forge |
| A pre-made modpack from CurseForge or Modrinth | Fabric or Forge (the modpack will tell you which) |
| The best performance with extra features | Paper |
What’s the difference between mods and plugins?
Before diving in, it helps to know what these two words mean. They get mixed up a lot.
- Plugins are add-ons that change how your server behaves. Things like adding an in-game economy, letting players protect their land, or creating minigame arenas. They don’t change the actual Minecraft game itself.
- Mods are add-ons that change the game itself. Adding new blocks, new creatures, new dimensions, or totally new mechanics. Everyone who joins your server needs to have the same mods installed on their own computer too.
The options explained
Vanilla
This is the plain, unmodified Minecraft server straight from the game’s developers (Mojang). It has no extras at all. No plugins, no mods, nothing added. It’s the simplest option, but also the most limited. Good if you just want a private world to play with friends, exactly as Minecraft ships.
Paper
Recommended for most people
Paper is a supercharged version of the standard server software. It runs faster, fixes a lot of bugs, and, most importantly, supports plugins. If you’ve heard of popular server add-ons like EssentialsX (basic server commands), WorldEdit (build faster), or LuckPerms (manage permissions), they all run on Paper.
If you’re not sure what to pick, start here.
Spigot
Spigot is the older version of what Paper is today. Paper was actually built on top of Spigot and has since become better in almost every way. The only reason to think about Spigot is if you find a very old plugin that specifically says it needs it. But even then, Paper will almost always run just fine.
Fabric
Fabric is software for running mods. It’s known for being lightweight and fast, and it tends to support new versions of Minecraft very quickly after they’re released. If you want to add performance-boosting mods (like Sodium or Lithium) or you’re using a newer modpack, Fabric is usually the right choice.
Forge
Forge is the older and larger mod platform. A huge number of well-known modpacks, like Feed The Beast (FTB) or Technic, are built specifically for Forge. If your modpack was made for Forge, you need Forge. It tends to take longer to update when Minecraft releases a new version.
Not sure whether to pick Fabric or Forge? Check your modpack’s page on CurseForge or Modrinth. It will tell you which one it requires.
Can I use both plugins and mods at the same time?
Not really. Plugins and mods are built for completely different systems and don’t naturally work together. There are some community-made projects (like Mohist or Arclight) that try to combine them, but they come with trade-offs and compatibility issues. We don’t officially support these, so use them at your own risk.
Can I switch to different server software later?
You can, but there’s an important catch: switching between incompatible types (for example, going from Paper to Forge) will likely break your existing world. You’d need to either start a fresh world or attempt a risky conversion.
The short version: decide before you start building. And no matter what, always back up your world before changing your server software.