Minecraft server software
Minecraft Java servers can run different server software. Pick the one that matches what you want to add to your server.
- 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.