Minecraft Server Types
Choosing the right server software is one of the first decisions you will make when setting up a Minecraft server. Each option has its own strengths, and the best choice depends on what you want your server to do.
Minecraft server software determines what you can and cannot do with your server. Want to install plugins like EssentialsX, LuckPerms, or Vault? You need a server that supports the Bukkit/Spigot plugin API, and Paper is the go-to choice. Want to run modpacks with tech trees, magic systems, or new dimensions? You are looking at Forge or Fabric. Prefer the game exactly as Mojang ships it? Vanilla is the simplest option. And if your friends play on different platforms, console, mobile, PC, a Bedrock crossplay setup lets everyone connect to the same world.
The differences between server types go beyond features. Performance characteristics, update schedules, community size, and configuration complexity all vary. Paper applies dozens of performance patches on top of Spigot, making it noticeably faster for large player counts. Forge servers tend to use more RAM because mods add new blocks, entities, and world generation. Fabric sits somewhere in between, it is lighter than Forge but still supports impressive mods like Create and Sodium.
It is worth noting that server software is not locked in forever. You can switch from Vanilla to Paper without losing your world. Moving from Forge to Fabric (or vice versa) is harder because mods are not cross-compatible, but your actual world data usually transfers fine. The point is: pick the option that fits your current plans, and adjust later if your needs change.
Every Astroworld plan supports all of these server types. There is no restriction based on your plan tier, whether you are on Starter or Dedicated, you can run Paper, Forge, Fabric, Vanilla, or any other server software. All of them are builds of Java Edition. Check out our features page for the full list of what is included with every plan.
Choose Your Server Software
Paper
Best for plugin serversA high-performance fork of Spigot that runs all Bukkit and Spigot plugins. Paper includes async chunk loading, optimized entity ticking, and a built-in timings profiler. It is the most popular server software for survival, economy, factions, and minigame servers.Forge
Best for mods and modpacksThe original mod loader for Java Edition with the largest mod ecosystem. Run popular modpacks like RLCraft, All The Mods, Create, and Pixelmon. Forge gives you access to thousands of mods on CurseForge and Modrinth.Fabric
Lightweight mod loaderA modern, lightweight mod loader that updates to new Minecraft versions faster than any alternative. Fabric is known for performance mods like Sodium, Lithium, and Iris. Less overhead than Forge, making it a great choice for players who want mods without the weight.Vanilla
Pure Minecraft experienceThe official, unmodified Minecraft server software from Mojang. No plugins, no mods, just the game as it was designed. Vanilla is lightweight and straightforward, making it a solid pick for small groups of friends or anyone who prefers a clean survival experience.Bedrock
Java & Bedrock crossplayLet players on consoles, mobile, and Windows 10/11 join your Java server using GeyserMC. No separate Bedrock server needed, install the Geyser plugin on Paper or Spigot and your community can play together across platforms.Which One Should You Pick?
If you are running a community server with ranks, permissions, and gameplay plugins, go with Paper. It is the standard for a reason: excellent performance, massive plugin library, and active development. Most Minecraft servers online today run Paper or a fork of it.
If you want to play a modpack, like RLCraft, All The Mods 10, Create, or Pixelmon, check whether it runs on Forge or Fabric. Most large modpacks still use Forge, but Fabric is catching up quickly. Our modpacks section has guides for the most popular options.
If you want the simplest possible setup and do not need plugins or mods, Vanilla is the way to go. It runs lighter than anything else and gives you Minecraft exactly as Mojang intended. Keep in mind that you will not have access to admin tools like WorldGuard or CoreProtect without switching to Paper.
If your group includes players on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or mobile devices, you will need a crossplay solution. Installing GeyserMC on a Paper server is the simplest approach, it translates Bedrock connections into Java protocol, so everyone ends up in the same world.
Eleven Versions, Back To 1.8.9
You choose the software at checkout from 7 entries: Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Spigot, Vanilla. The version list next to it holds 16 options: Latest, 26.2, 26.1.2, 26.1.1, 1.21.11, 1.21.8, 1.21.4, 1.21.1, 1.20.6, 1.20.4, 1.20.1, 1.19.4, 1.18.2, 1.16.5, 1.12.2, 1.8.9. It reaches back that far because a plugin server that has run since 1.8.9 is not going to be talked into 1.21 by a hosting page.
Velocity, BungeeCord and Waterfall are supported too, and they are deliberately not in that list of 7. A proxy stands in front of your servers instead of being one of them: you order the servers, and the proxy is what your players connect to.
The Seven Softwares in the Checkout List
| Software | Plugin API | Mod loader | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperrecommended at checkout | Bukkit and Spigot | None | Paper hosting |
| Purpur | Bukkit and Spigot | None | In the checkout list |
| Fabric | None | Fabric mods | Fabric hosting |
| Forge | None | Forge mods | Forge hosting |
| NeoForge | None | NeoForge mods | In the checkout list |
| Spigot | Bukkit and Spigot | None | In the checkout list |
| Vanilla | None | None | Vanilla hosting |
Questions About Server Software
Can I switch server software after I have started?
Yes. The software is a dropdown on your server, not something baked into the plan, and every plan carries all 7 entries. Going from Vanilla to Paper keeps your world as it is. Going from Forge to Fabric keeps the world too, but not the mods: a mod is built for one loader and will not load in the other.
Does my plan limit which software I can run?
No. The same 7 softwares and 16 versions sit in the order form on every plan, from Mini at 4 GB up to Dedicated at 96 GB. What the plan changes is how much a heavy modpack has to work with, not which loader you are allowed to pick.
What is the difference between a plugin and a mod?
A plugin runs on the server only and your players join with an unmodified game. That is what Paper, Purpur and Spigot are for. A mod changes the game itself, so the server and every player have to load the same set. That is what Fabric, Forge and NeoForge are for.
Why does the version list still go back to 1.8.9?
Because plugin servers that have run since 1.8.9 are not going to be talked into a new release by a hosting page. The list holds 16 options and the oldest one is there for exactly those servers.
Where are Velocity, BungeeCord and Waterfall?
Deliberately not in the software list, because a proxy is not a server you order. It stands in front of the servers you already have and is what your players connect to. You order the servers; the proxy goes in front of them.