Minecraft Server Software Explained: Vanilla, Spigot, Paper, Forge, Fabric
The most important choice you will make when setting up a Minecraft server. The right answer depends on whether you want plugins, mods, or neither, and each choice has real consequences for your players. If you would rather just be told, use the server type picker.
Plugins vs mods: the key distinction
Plugins (Spigot/Paper)
Server-side only. Players connect with a standard, unmodified Minecraft client. No installation required from players. Lower barrier to join.
Mods (Forge/Fabric)
Must be installed on both server and every player's client. Players cannot join without the correct mod set. Enables deeper changes to the game than plugins can achieve.
This single distinction shapes your entire server setup. Plugins are lower friction for public servers. Mods enable deeper content, new dimensions, items, tech systems, that plugins cannot provide.
Comparison at a glance
| Type | Plugins | Mods | Client req. | Performance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla | No | No | None | Baseline | Technical players, pure vanilla mechanics |
| Spigot | Yes | No | None | Better | Legacy servers, specific plugin compatibility |
| Paper | Yes | No | None | Best (plugin stack) | Most servers: public SMP, minigames, DarkRP-style |
| Purpur | Yes | No | None | Best+ | Paper with more config knobs |
| Forge | No | Yes | Same Forge + mods | Heavy | Modpacks, new items/dimensions/tech mods |
| Fabric | No | Yes | Same Fabric + mods | Lighter than Forge | Performance mods, fast-updating mod ecosystem |
How to choose
Survival SMP with a public community
Paper, no question. Easy for players to join, vast plugin ecosystem for economy, land claiming, and anti-grief tools.
Technical vanilla / farms / redstone
Vanilla or Paper (Paper has vanilla parity options to preserve farm behaviour).
Full modded experience (new dimensions, tech mods, magic mods)
Forge or Fabric, with a modpack. Players will need to install mods, use a launcher like Modrinth or CurseForge to simplify distribution.
Minigame server or network
Paper with plugins like Citizens, Arena, or custom map support.
Small friend group wanting a specific modpack
Forge or Fabric. Use a modpack launcher for client-side distribution.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Paper and Spigot?
Paper is a fork of Spigot with significant performance improvements and additional configuration options. Paper is compatible with all Spigot plugins. For new servers, Paper is generally the better choice unless you have specific legacy compatibility needs.
Do players need to install mods to join a Paper server?
No. Paper (and Spigot) use plugins, which are server-side only. Players can join with a standard, unmodified Minecraft client. Mods (Forge/Fabric) require players to install the same mods as the server.
What is the best Minecraft server software?
For most servers, Paper is the recommended choice: it is performant, widely supported, and compatible with the Bukkit/Spigot plugin ecosystem. Forge or Fabric are the right choice if you want to run a modded server where players install mods on their client.
Can I use Forge plugins with Paper?
No. Forge mods and Bukkit/Spigot/Paper plugins are different ecosystems that are not compatible with each other. Forge runs Forge mods; Paper runs Bukkit-API plugins. You need to choose one ecosystem.
Is Fabric better than Forge?
For performance mods and faster update cycles, Fabric is often preferred. For the widest mod selection and the largest existing modpack ecosystem, Forge is more established. The right choice depends on which specific mods or modpacks you want to run.
Can I switch my server from Spigot to Paper without losing my world?
Generally yes. Paper reads the same world format as Spigot and is fully plugin-compatible. Take a backup first as a precaution, but the migration is usually seamless.
Switch between Vanilla, Paper, Forge and Fabric in one click
Not sure which one you need? Our Minecraft server type picker asks four questions and gives you a straight answer. The panel then changes server software without reinstalling everything. Try it free for 24-hour, no credit card required.