Server Software: Picking Your Flavor
Before starting a server, you must decide what type of Minecraft server you want. The choice depends on whether you want performance, plugins, or mods. You generally cannot mix them.
Summary Table
| Software | Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Plugins | Public SMPs, Networks | Incredible performance, Plug-and-Play | Changes some vanilla mechanics (Redstone) |
| Purpur | Plugins | Advanced SMPs | Even more options than Paper, Fun features | Same as Paper |
| Fabric | Mods | Technical Vanilla, Lite Modpacks | Lightweight, Updatesfast, Vanilla-accurate | Fewer content mods than Forge (historically) |
| Forge / NeoForge | Mods | Heavy Modpacks (RLCraft, etc) | Massive library of complex mods | Heavy on RAM, slow startup, laggy |
| Vanilla | None | Purist | 100% Vanilla behavior | Terrible performance. Do not use. |
1. The Plugin Ecosystem (Paper & Purpur)
If you want features like /home, /tpa, Land Claiming, or Minigames, you want Plugins. Plugins run only on the server; players do not need to install anything.
- Paper: The industry standard. Always use this over Spigot or Bukkit.
- Purpur: A fork of Paper. It allows you to ride phantoms, change silk touch behavior, and has more customization.
2. The Modded Ecosystem (Fabric & Forge)
If you want new blocks, dragons, machines, or magic, you want Mods. Mods must be installed on both the server and the player's client.
- Fabric: The modern standard for performance. With mods like Lithium and Sodium, it can run faster than Paper. Great for "Vanilla+" servers.
- Forge / NeoForge: The classic powerhouse. Use this if you want to play huge modpacks like "All The Mods" or "DawnCraft".
Warning: "Hybrid" servers (like Magma or Mohist) claim to run Plugins and Mods together. Avoid them. They are notoriously unstable and often break both mods and plugins.