Choosing your server’s software is a very important task. This article will help you choose the software that fits your server’s needs.
Minecraft Java
Vanilla:
Vanilla
Vanilla is the default software provided by Minecraft. It does not support plugins or mods.
Plugins:
PaperMC
PaperMC is an optimized fork of Spigot that supports Spigot and Bukkit plugins. It also fixes some Vanilla bugs and exploits!
Purpur
Purpur is an optimized fork of Tuinity. It contains extra features and supports Spigot and Bukkit plugins. We recommend using this server software.
Spigot
Spigot is a modified version of CraftBukkit with hundreds of improvements and optimizations
CraftBukkit
CraftBukkit is lightly modified version of the Vanilla software allowing it to be able to run Bukkit plugins. CraftBukkit prides itself to be able to offer many configurable features that Vanilla simply doesn’t have. CraftBukkit is much more optimized than Vanilla sometimes making it less laggy.
Glowstone
Glowstone is a completely open source Minecraft server that doesn’t rely on any of Mojang’s code - meaning we’re free to develop for your needs, and you’re free to change it however you want.
Mods:
Fabric
Fabric is a lightweight Minecraft software used for Fabric mods.
Forge
Forge is a Minecraft software that allows players to use Forge mods.
Plugins and Mods:
Magma
Magma is the next generation of hybrid minecraft server softwares. It is based on Forge and Paper, meaning it can run both Craftbukkit/Spigot/Paper plugins and Forge mods.
Mohist
Mohist is a hybrid server type that allows you to run Bukkit and Spigot plugins alongside Forge mods.
Proxies:
BungeeCord
BungeeCord is a useful software written in-house by the team at SpigotMC. It acts as a proxy between the player’s client and the connected Minecraft servers. End-users of BungeeCord see no difference between it and a normal Minecraft server.
WaterFall
WaterFall is a high performance fork of BungeeCord with over 40 patches** that are supposed make BungeeCord even better. Because WaterFall is a modified BungeeCord however, it is known to have some incompatibilities with existing BungeeCord plugins.
Velocity
Velocity is a next-generation Minecraft proxy focused on scalability and flexibility. It allows server owners to link together multiple Minecraft servers so they may appear as one.
Travertine
Travertine is Waterfall with additional protocols. It aims to support client versions older then what is supported in upstream. This includes 1.7 support.
Minecraft Bedrock
Vanilla:
Vanilla
Vanilla is the default Bedrock software provided by Minecraft. It does not support plugins.
Plugins:
Pocketmine (PMMP)
Pocketmine is a lightweight Minecraft Bedrock server software that supports Pocketmine plugins.
Nukkit
Nukkit is nuclear-powered server software for Minecraft Bedrock Edition.
PowerNukkit
PowerNukkit is a modified version of Nukkit, a Bedrock Edition Minecraft server software made in Java, which adds support to a huge amount of features like water-logging, all new blocks, more plugin events, offhand slot, bug fixes and many more.