Minecraft Server Types Comparison

Minecraft Server Types

Choosing the right server software is the most important decision for your Minecraft server. Each type has different strengths, and the best choice depends on what you want to do.

Quick Comparison

Detailed Breakdown

Paper (Recommended for Most Servers)

Best for: Survival servers, minigame servers, communities, networks

Paper is a fork of Spigot that adds significant performance improvements. It's the most popular server software and our recommended choice.

Pros:

• ✅ Best overall performance (async chunk loading, entity optimization)
• ✅ Full Spigot/Bukkit plugin compatibility
• ✅ Active development with frequent updates
• ✅ Built-in Timings profiler
• ✅ Configurable anti-exploit features
• ✅ Free MySQL database included

Cons:

• ❌ No mod support (use Forge or Fabric for mods)
• ❌ Some vanilla mechanics are changed for performance (configurable)

When to choose Paper:

• You want plugins (EssentialsX, LuckPerms, WorldEdit, etc.)
• You want the best possible performance
• You're building a community or public server
• You're unsure which type to pick

Starting at: €4.99/month

Forge

Best for: Modded Minecraft, modpacks (ATM, RLCraft, SkyFactory)

Forge is the original modding platform for Minecraft with the largest mod library.

Pros:

• ✅ Largest mod selection (10,000+ mods)
• ✅ All major modpacks supported (FTB, ATM, CurseForge, Technic)
• ✅ One-click modpack installation on HostedGG
• ✅ Mature ecosystem with extensive documentation

Cons:

• ❌ Higher RAM requirements (4-8 GB typical)
• ❌ Slower to update after new Minecraft versions
• ❌ No plugin support (some hybrid options exist)
• ❌ Can be less stable with many conflicting mods

When to choose Forge:

• You want to play specific modpacks
• You want tech mods (Create, Applied Energistics, Mekanism)
• You want magic mods (Botania, Thaumcraft)
• Your group already plays a specific Forge modpack

Starting at: €9.99/month (needs more RAM than plugin servers)

Fabric

Best for: Performance-focused modding, modern mods, lightweight modded servers

Fabric is a modern, lightweight modding platform that updates faster than Forge.

Pros:

• ✅ Extremely lightweight and fast
• ✅ Updates within hours of new Minecraft releases
• ✅ Home to the best performance mods (Lithium, Sodium, Starlight)
• ✅ Lower RAM requirements than Forge
• ✅ Growing mod ecosystem

Cons:

• ❌ Smaller mod library than Forge
• ❌ Most large modpacks are Forge-based
• ❌ No plugin support (server-side mods replicate some functionality)
• ❌ Fabric and Forge mods are NOT cross-compatible

When to choose Fabric:

• You want the best modded server performance
• You want to play on the latest Minecraft version with mods
• You want performance mods (Lithium for server, Sodium for client)
• You use modern mods like Origins, Create Fabric, or Iris

Starting at: €4.99/month

Vanilla

Best for: Pure Minecraft experience, small friend groups

Vanilla runs the official Mojang server software with zero modifications.

Pros:

• ✅ Authentic Minecraft experience
• ✅ No compatibility issues
• ✅ Automatic updates to latest version
• ✅ Lowest resource requirements
• ✅ Great Realms alternative at lower cost

Cons:

• ❌ No plugins or mods
• ❌ No anti-grief tools (WorldGuard, CoreProtect)
• ❌ No permission system (only OP or not)
• ❌ Less performant than Paper

When to choose Vanilla:

• You want a pure survival experience
• You play with a small, trusted group
• You don't need admin tools
• You're migrating from Minecraft Realms

Starting at: €4.99/month

Spigot

Best for: Servers with specific Spigot-only plugin requirements

Spigot is the original plugin server that Paper is based on.

Pros:

• ✅ Full Bukkit/Spigot plugin support
• ✅ Reliable and well-tested
• ✅ Active development
• ✅ Huge plugin ecosystem

Cons:

• ❌ Slightly less performant than Paper
• ❌ Fewer configuration options than Paper
• ❌ No mod support

When to choose Spigot:

• A specific plugin recommends Spigot over Paper
• You need exact vanilla behavior that Paper modifies
• You're migrating from an existing Spigot server

Starting at: €4.99/month

Purpur

Best for: Experienced admins who want maximum control

Purpur is a fork of Paper with hundreds of additional configuration options.

Pros:

• ✅ All Paper features + extra config options
• ✅ Full Spigot/Paper plugin compatibility
• ✅ Gameplay tweaks (rideable mobs, custom growth rates)
• ✅ Fine-tune mechanics impossible on Paper

Cons:

• ❌ More complex to configure
• ❌ Less documented than Paper
• ❌ may break with plugins that rely on specific Paper behavior

When to choose Purpur:

• You want to customize mechanics beyond what Paper allows
• You want rideable mobs, custom crop rates, etc.
• You're an experienced admin comfortable with configuration

Starting at: €4.99/month

BungeeCord

Best for: Multi-server networks

BungeeCord is a proxy, not a game server. It connects multiple Minecraft servers under a single IP.

Pros:

• ✅ Single IP for multiple servers (survival, minigames, creative)
• ✅ Seamless server switching for players
• ✅ Proxy-level plugins (global chat, cross-server party)
• ✅ Professional network setup

Cons:

• ❌ Not a game server — you need separate servers behind it
• ❌ Added complexity
• ❌ Requires additional hosting for backend servers

When to choose BungeeCord:

• You're building a server network with multiple gamemodes
• You need players to switch between servers without disconnecting
• You want a professional multi-server setup

Starting at: €1.99/month (proxy only, game servers separate)

Decision Flowchart

Do you want mods?
├── Yes → Do you want a specific Forge modpack?
│   ├── Yes → FORGE
│   └── No → Do you want the latest MC version with mods?
│       ├── Yes → FABRIC
│       └── No → FORGE (larger mod library)
├── No → Do you want plugins?
│   ├── Yes → Do you need extra customization?
│   │   ├── Yes → PURPUR
│   │   └── No → PAPER ⭐
│   └── No → Do you want pure vanilla?
│       ├── Yes → VANILLA
│       └── No → PAPER (plugins are optional)
└── Building a multi-server network? → BUNGEECORD (+ backend servers)

Switching Between Server Types

You can switch server types on HostedGG:

Next Steps

• Set up your chosen server type
• Install mods (Forge/Fabric)
• Install plugins (Paper/Spigot/Purpur)
• Optimize your server's performance

Related Blog Posts

• Minecraft Server Types Explained
• Best Minecraft Server Hosting 2026
• How to Make a Minecraft Server