Minecraft server software
Minecraft Java servers can run different server software. Pick the one that matches what you want to add to your server. New servers start on Vanilla. Switch on the Minecraft Version page.
- Want plugins? Use Paper (the usual choice), Purpur, or Spigot.
- Want mods? Use Forge, NeoForge, Fabric, or Quilt. Mods and plugins are different, and most cannot be mixed on one server.
- Want the plain game? Use Vanilla.
You do not need to buy a new plan to switch. See Change your Minecraft version. Always back up first.
Bedrock Edition is a separate server. See Minecraft Bedrock.
A fast, widely used server that runs plugins. The best default choice if you want plugins.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft Version | MINECRAFT_VERSION |
The version of minecraft to download. Leave at latest to always get the latest version. Invalid versions will default to latest. | latest |
| Server Jar File | SERVER_JARFILE |
The name of the server jarfile to run the server with. | server.jar |
| Build Number | BUILD_NUMBER |
The build number for the paper release. Leave at latest to always get the latest version. Invalid versions will default to latest. | latest |
Purpur
Section titled “Purpur”A fork of Paper with extra configuration options. Runs plugins.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft Version | MINECRAFT_VERSION |
The version of Minecraft to download. Leave at latest to always get the latest version. Invalid versions will default to latest. | latest |
| Server Jar File | SERVER_JARFILE |
The name of the .jar file to run the server with. | server.jar |
| Build Number | BUILD_NUMBER |
The build number for the Purpur release. Leave at latest to always get the latest version. Invalid versions will default to latest. | latest |
Spigot
Section titled “Spigot”The long-standing plugin server. Runs plugins.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server Jar File | SERVER_JARFILE |
The name of the server jarfile to run the server with. | server.jar |
| Spigot Version | DL_VERSION |
The version of Spigot to download (using the –rev tag from https://hub.spigotmc.org/versions). Use “latest” for latest. | latest |
A Paper fork built for very large servers. Many plugins need to be made for Folia to work on it.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft Version | MINECRAFT_VERSION |
The version of minecraft to download. Leave at latest to always get the latest version. Invalid versions will default to latest. | latest |
| Server Jar File | SERVER_JARFILE |
The name of the server jarfile to run the server with. | server.jar |
| Build Number | BUILD_NUMBER |
The build number for the folia release. Leave at latest to always get the latest version. Invalid versions will default to latest. | latest |
Vanilla
Section titled “Vanilla”The official Mojang server. No plugins or mods.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server Jar File | SERVER_JARFILE |
The name of the server jarfile to run the server with. | server.jar |
| Server Version | VANILLA_VERSION |
The version of Minecraft Vanilla to install. Use “latest” to install the latest version, or use “snapshot” to install the latest snapshot. Go to Settings > Reinstall Server to apply. | latest |
A mod loader. Runs Forge mods, not plugins.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server Jar File | SERVER_JARFILE |
The name of the Jarfile to use when running Forge version below 1.17. | server.jar |
| Minecraft Version | MC_VERSION |
The version of minecraft you want to install for. Leaving latest will install the latest recommended version. | latest |
| Build Type | BUILD_TYPE |
The type of server jar to download from forge. Valid types are “recommended” and “latest”. | recommended |
| Forge Version | FORGE_VERSION |
The full exact version. Ex. 1.15.2-31.2.4 Overrides MC_VERSION and BUILD_TYPE. If it fails to download the server files it will fail to install. | (blank) |
NeoForge
Section titled “NeoForge”A newer mod loader that continues from Forge. Runs NeoForge mods.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft Version | MC_VERSION |
The version of Minecraft you want to install for. Leaving latest will install the latest version. | latest |
| NeoForge Version | NEOFORGE_VERSION |
The full exact version. Ex. 20.4.194 https://projects.neoforged.net/neoforged/neoforge If it fails to download the server files it will fail to install. | (blank) |
Fabric
Section titled “Fabric”A lightweight mod loader. Runs Fabric mods.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server Jar File | SERVER_JARFILE |
The name of the server jarfile to run the server with. | server.jar |
| Minecraft Version | MC_VERSION |
The version of Minecraft to install. Use “latest” to install the latest version, or use “snapshot” to install the latest snapshot. | latest |
| Fabric Version | FABRIC_VERSION |
The version of Fabric to install. | latest |
| Fabric Loader Version | LOADER_VERSION |
The version of Fabric Loader to install. | latest |
A mod loader that is compatible with most Fabric mods.
Settings on your Startup page:
| Setting | Variable | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft Version | MC_VERSION |
Version of Minecraft that will be installed. You can only choose the exact version number, for example “1.20.2”, “latest” won’t work! | 1.20.2 |
| Server Jar File | SERVER_JARFILE |
The name of the jarfile that will be ran on server launch. | server.jar |
Good to know
Section titled “Good to know”- A Minecraft world cannot go back to an older version once a newer one has loaded it. See Change your Minecraft version.
- Plugins go in the
pluginsfolder and mods in themodsfolder. See Install plugins.