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FiveM ESX vs QBCore Framework Comparison 2025

FiveM Guide • Updated Jan 11, 2026

FiveM ESX vs QBCore Framework Comparison

Choosing between ESX and QBCore is one of the most important decisions when starting a FiveM roleplay server. This guide compares both frameworks across key criteria.

🎯 Quick Recommendation

  • Beginners: Start with ESX - more resources, easier setup
  • Large Servers: Choose QBCore - better performance, modern code
  • Custom Work: Either works, but QBCore is more modular

Framework Overview

ESX Framework

  • Established: 2016
  • Proven track record
  • Largest resource library
  • Extensive documentation
  • Beginner-friendly

QBCore Framework

  • Established: 2019
  • Modern architecture
  • Better performance
  • Modular design
  • Active development

Detailed Comparison

Feature ESX QBCore
Release Year 2016 2019
Code Quality Legacy codebase Modern, optimized
Performance Good Excellent
Resource Count 2,000+ 1,000+
Community Size Largest Growing fast
Documentation Extensive Good, improving
Setup Difficulty Easy Moderate
Customization Moderate High (modular)
Update Frequency Stable Frequent updates
Player Scaling 64 players recommended 128+ players recommended

When to Choose ESX

✅ Choose ESX If:

  • You're New: Easier setup and more tutorials available
  • Need Resources: Largest library of pre-made scripts and jobs
  • Small Server: Perfect for 32-64 player communities
  • Stable Foundation: Proven track record since 2016
  • Community Support: Larger community means more help available

ESX Strengths

  • Mature Ecosystem: Years of development and refinement
  • Resource Availability: Almost any roleplay feature available as ESX script
  • Beginner Documentation: Extensive guides and tutorials
  • Standardization: Most roleplay servers use ESX - players familiar with it

ESX Weaknesses

  • Legacy Code: Some parts show age and inefficiency
  • Performance: Not as optimized as QBCore for large servers
  • Customization: More difficult to modify deeply

When to Choose QBCore

✅ Choose QBCore If:

  • Large Server: Better performance for 64-128+ players
  • Custom Development: Modular design allows easier modifications
  • Modern Features: Latest optimization techniques and practices
  • Active Development: Frequent updates and improvements
  • Experienced Team: Comfortable with modern frameworks

QBCore Strengths

  • Better Performance: Optimized code reduces server load
  • Modular Architecture: Easier to customize and extend
  • Active Development: Regular updates and bug fixes
  • Player Scaling: Handles 100+ players better
  • Modern Code: Cleaner, more maintainable codebase

QBCore Weaknesses

  • Smaller Ecosystem: Fewer resources than ESX
  • Steeper Learning Curve: More complex setup
  • Less Documentation: Not as established as ESX

Resource Availability

ESX Resources

  • Jobs: 500+ job scripts (police, EMS, mechanic, etc.)
  • Vehicles: 300+ vehicle packs and shops
  • Properties/Housing: 100+ property systems
  • Economy: 200+ banking and economy systems
  • UI: 150+ HUD and menu scripts

QBCore Resources

  • Jobs: 200+ job scripts
  • Vehicles: 150+ vehicle packs
  • Properties: 80+ property systems
  • Economy: 100+ economy systems
  • UI: 100+ HUD scripts

Note: QBCore resources are growing quickly. Resource gap is shrinking monthly.

Performance Comparison

Resource Usage

MetricESX (64 players)QBCore (64 players)
RAM Usage20-24 GB16-20 GB
CPU LoadHigherLower
Database QueriesMore frequentOptimized
Tick Rate20-25 ticks/s25-30 ticks/s

Player Scaling

  • ESX: Stable up to 64 players, performance drops beyond
  • QBCore: Stable up to 128 players, handles 200+ well

Installation Comparison

ESX Installation

# Navigate to resources directory
cd ~/fivemserver/server/resources

# Clone ESX framework
git clone https://github.com/ESX-Org/esx_legacy.git [esx]

# Clone core resources
git clone https://github.com/ESX-Org/esx_identity.git [esx]/esx_identity
git clone https://github.com/ESX-Org/esx_policejob.git [esx]/esx_policejob
git clone https://github.com/ESX-Org/esx_ambulancejob.git [esx]/esx_ambulancejob

QBCore Installation

# Navigate to resources directory
cd ~/fivemserver/server/resources

# Clone QBCore framework
git clone https://github.com/qbcore-framework/qb-core.git [qbcore]

# Clone core resources
git clone https://github.com/qbcore-framework/qb-clothing.git [qbcore]/qb-clothing
git clone https://github.com/qbcore-framework/qb-vehicleshop.git [qbcore]/qb-vehicleshop

Migration Path

ESX to QBCore

Migrating from ESX to QBCore is challenging due to different database structures:

  • Data Migration: Requires custom scripts to transfer player data
  • Script Replacement: Most ESX scripts have QBCore equivalents
  • Time Investment: Expect 1-2 weeks for full migration

QBCore to ESX

Similar challenges as ESX to QBCore migration:

  • Player Data: Custom migration scripts required
  • Script Replacement: Find ESX versions of QBCore scripts
  • Learning Curve: Your admin team will need to learn new framework

Community & Support

ESX Community

  • Discord: 50,000+ members
  • Documentation: Extensive guides and tutorials
  • Troubleshooting: More community support available

QBCore Community

  • Discord: 25,000+ members
  • Documentation: Good documentation, improving rapidly
  • Developer Support: Active developers responding to issues

Final Recommendation

🎯 Decision Framework

ScenarioRecommendation
First-time server ownerESX
Small community (32-64 players)ESX
Large community (64-128+ players)QBCore
Highly customized serverQBCore
Experienced teamQBCore
Budget-friendlyESX (lower requirements)
Performance-focusedQBCore

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run both frameworks?

No, choose one. They conflict if both are installed.

Which framework is more popular?

ESX has larger historical community, but QBCore is growing rapidly. For new servers in 2025, QBCore is trending.

Is one framework better for roleplay?

Both support excellent roleplay. The difference is in performance and resources, not roleplay capability.

Can I switch frameworks later?

Yes, but requires player data migration and script replacement. Plan carefully.

Next Steps

Need Expert Hosting? Supercraft supports both ESX and QBCore frameworks with optimized performance for large communities.

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