^TUTORIAL
Best Minecraft Server Types - Vanilla, PaperMC, Spigot, Forge & More

Whether you are dreaming of hosting an epic Survival SMP, a chaotic modded adventure, or a massive network of minigames, there is one big decision you need to make first - i.e., which server type should you choose!? And if you’ve ever looked into this earlier, you’ve probably been bombarded with names like Vanilla, PaperMC, Spigot, Forge, Fabric, and BungeeCord, each claiming to be the best. It sounds confusing, right?! We’ve got you covered.

This guide breaks down various server types in a simple way. By the end, you will know exactly which server type suits your needs. Let's just dive in and find the perfect server type!

What is a Server Software

Think of server software as the brain of your server, fixing gameplay and in-game inconsistencies along with tweaking server performance. Some software lets you add plugins, while others allow you to add mods to the game by enhancing the experience, and some just exist to connect multiple servers together. These software types fall into three categories -

1. Plugin-Based Software - These software allow you to add plugins to your server, allowing you to add new features and mechanics to the game without requiring any client-side modifications. Examples include - PaperMC, Spigot, and many others.

2. Mod-Based Software - These software allow you to fully customize your game's in-game mechanics with the help of mods but require the players to install the mod on both the server and client sides of the game, except in some cases, where only server or client-side installation is required. Examples include - Forge, Fabric, and many others.

3. Proxy-Based Software - These mainly help to connect multiple Minecraft servers, allowing players to switch between them without any hassle. Examples include - BungeeCord, Velocity, and some others.

Now, let's break down these mainstream server software so that you can find the one that suits your gameplay requirements

Types of Server Software

1. PaperMC - PaperMC is an ideal choice for plugin-based servers like SMPs, Lifesteal, Anarchy, PvP, Economy, and Minigames. It is highly optimized for performance, reducing lag and improving server efficiency by consuming fewer resources. PaperMC is fully compatible with Spigot and Bukkit plugins, offering advanced configuration options to tweak gameplay mechanics. The only limitation of PaperMC is that it doesn't support mods (no Forge/Fabric mod support).

2. Purpur - Purpur is best suited for high-performance servers. Forked from PaperMC, it offers extra tweaks and features while primarily aiming for extreme performance and compatibility with Spigot and Bukkit plugins. Purpur is a great choice for larger servers with customized worlds. Similar to PaperMC, it doesn't support mods.

3. Vanilla - Vanilla is great for players who just want to enjoy the pure Minecraft experience, without any customizations involved. It’s the standard, unmodified version of the game, so all you need to do is fire up your server and start playing. That said, it does have a few limitations, like it does not support plugins or mods and offers fewer ways to customize things.

4. Forge - Forge is a great choice if you want to run a heavily modded Minecraft server with a lot of customizations. It lets you add new blocks, items, and game mechanics, making the gameplay feel completely different and unique. The downside? It doesn’t support plugins like PaperMC and Purpur, and anyone joining your server needs to have the same mods installed on their game client.

5. Fabric - Fabric is a great choice if you’re looking for a lightweight, performance-friendly way to run mods. It’s faster and updates quicker with new Minecraft versions, making it ideal for smaller modpacks and performance tweaks. It doesn’t have as many mods as Forge and doesn’t support plugins.

6. BungeeCord - BungeeCord acts as a proxy that allows players to switch between different servers. It works by simply linking multiple servers together, allowing players to switch without any hassle. It’s mainly used by large communities running multi-server networks. It doesn’t support any plugins or mods and doesn’t usually affect gameplay, as it is just used for linking servers together.

7. Velocity - Velocity, on the other hand, is mainly designed for high-performance multi-server networks, offering faster connections and a better player experience than BungeeCord. It’s great for large-scale setups. It also has fewer proxy-compatible plugins compared to BungeeCord, so keep that in mind when choosing the right proxy for your network.

Conclusion

So, which server software is right for you?! If you want a fast and optimized server with plugins, PaperMC or Purpur is the way to go. If mods are something you're thinking about, pick Forge or Fabric. If you just want simple, unmodified Minecraft, Vanilla is perfect. And for linking multiple servers, BungeeCord and Velocity have you covered.

Similarly, if you are having any type of issue or problem with your server at MCServerHost, you can always get in touch with us by joining our Discord server or writing us at support@MCServerHost.com.