Catalogue
Launchers
A launcher is the client program that installs Minecraft, manages separate instances, and handles loaders and mods for you. This is the software you open first, before anything else on this site.
ATLauncherLauncherLauncher built around modpacks, with one-click installs of curated packs alongside your own instances.
- Minecraft versions
- 100 versions
- Builds
- 100 builds
Modrinth AppLauncherModrinth's own launcher, with its mod and modpack catalogue built into the install flow.
- Minecraft versions
- 100 versions
- Builds
- 100 builds
Prism LauncherLauncherOpen-source Minecraft launcher that manages many separate instances, each with its own version, loader and mods.
- Minecraft versions
- 31 versions
- Builds
- 31 builds
Fjord LauncherLauncherA fork of Prism Launcher with support for alternative account systems.
- Minecraft versions
- 20 versions
- Builds
- 20 builds
Choosing Minecraft server software
Vanilla is Mojang’s own server jar and runs the game exactly as designed. Everything else here is a fork or a rewrite that adds something: plugin support, more performance, or both.
Paper is the default choice for most public servers: it takes the Bukkit and Spigot plugin ecosystem and adds years of performance work on top. Purpur and Pufferfish push performance and configuration further. Folia rewrites the server to use many threads for very large player counts.
A proxy such as Velocity or BungeeCord is not a server on its own. It sits in front of several servers and moves players between them without a disconnect, which is how a network runs a lobby, survival and minigames behind one address.
Common questions about server software
Which server software should I use?
For a plugin server, Paper is the safe default. If you want more performance, Purpur and Pufferfish build on Paper. For mods rather than plugins you need Fabric or Forge server software instead. For several servers behind one address, add a Velocity proxy in front.
What is the difference between a build and a version?
A Minecraft version is a release like 26.2. A build is one compiled snapshot of the server software for that version; Paper alone publishes thousands. The newest build for your version is almost always the one to run.
Are these downloads official?
Yes. Every build links to the project's own release or API. MCReference indexes what exists and shows the checksum; it never mirrors or repackages a jar.
Do plugins work on any server software?
Plugins target a server API, not the game. A Bukkit or Spigot plugin runs on Paper, Purpur and most forks of them, but not on a modded server, which uses mods instead.