The Best Minecraft Server Software in 2026
We researched Minecraft server software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Products are ranked on the category’s core job, value for money and verified features, so you can compare server runtimes for dedicated Java and Bedrock multiplayer communities.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
Pumpkin#1 of 259.4/10A broad, free server option for cross-play worlds, plugins, and self-hosted deployment.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Paper#2 of 259.2/10A free, self-hosted Java server with strong performance work and plugin compatibility.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Arclight#3 of 258.9/10A free, open-source Java server implementation for combining mods and plugins.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 25 tools, best first
-
Best forCross-platform Java and Bedrock servers
A broad, free server option for cross-play worlds, plugins, and self-hosted deployment.
- Java–Bedrock cross-play
- RCON support
- Plugin API
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Pumpkin -
Best forMost Java server operators
A free, self-hosted Java server with strong performance work and plugin compatibility.
- RCON support
- Plugin API
9.2/10★★★★★Visit PaperMC -
Best forServers combining mods and plugins
A free, open-source Java server implementation for combining mods and plugins.
- Mod loader support
- Plugin API
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Arclight -
Best forMature cross-platform Java servers
A free, open-source choice for configurable, self-hosted Java servers.
- RCON support
- Plugin API
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Cuberite -
Best forJava servers using plugins and mods
A flexible Java server platform for plugins, mods, permissions, and administration.
- Mod loader support
- Plugin API
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Sponge -
Best forForge servers combining mods and plugins
A free, open-source Java server for combining Forge mods with Bukkit or Spigot plugins.
- Mod loader support
- Plugin API
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Mohist -
Best forMod-focused Java server builders
A free, open-source toolchain for running and developing Fabric-compatible Java mods.
- Mod loader support
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Fabric -
Best forEstablished Minecraft modded servers
A free, self-hosted Forge stack for established Java modded servers.
- Mod loader support
8.0/10★★★★☆Try Minecraft Forge -
Best forModpacks and NeoForge development
A focused Java Edition foundation for modpacks, servers, and NeoForge mod development.
- Mod loader support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit NeoForge -
Best forHighly configurable Paper-compatible servers
A configurable, Paper-compatible server foundation for plugin-focused Minecraft communities.
- Plugin API
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Purpur -
Best forPerformance-focused Paper plugin servers
A free, open-source Java server platform for performance-focused Paper plugin setups.
- Plugin API
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Leaf -
Best forPerformance-focused Paper-compatible servers
A free, open-source Java server jar for performance-focused Paper-compatible deployments.
- Java–Bedrock cross-play
- Plugin API
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Pufferfish -
Best forBedrock servers needing plugin APIs
A free, open-source Bedrock server base for extensible Python and C++ plugins.
- Plugin API
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Endstone -
Best forBedrock servers needing plugins and packs
A free, extensible Bedrock server option with a major long-term update limitation.
- Plugin API
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit PocketMine-MP -
Best forSpecialized high-concurrency Java servers
A specialized Java server fork for parallel region ticking, with demanding plugin compatibility requirements.
- RCON support
- Plugin API
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit PaperMC -
Best forPaper operators seeking optimized execution
A drop-in Paper replacement for operators prioritizing optimized Java server execution.
- Plugin API
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit GaleMC -
Best forForge servers that also need Bukkit plugins
A focused open-source choice for Java servers that need Forge mods and Bukkit plugins together.
- Mod loader support
- Plugin API
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Ketting -
Best forJava servers needing broad plugin compatibility
A plugin-friendly Java server for self-hosted hubs, minigames, and creative worlds.
- RCON support
- Plugin API
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Glowstone -
Best forSimple vanilla Java servers
A free, focused choice for hosting simple Minecraft: Java Edition worlds.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Minecraft -
Best forBedrock servers with JVM plugin support
A free, developer-friendly Bedrock server runtime for Windows and Linux.
- Plugin API
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit AllayMC -
Best forDevelopers building custom Bedrock servers
A developer-focused Bedrock server with asynchronous architecture and Go-based customization.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Dragonfly -
Best forBasic Java server experimentation
A free, focused Java server foundation for basic experimentation.
- RCON support
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit SteelMC -
Best forDevelopers creating custom Java servers
A minimal, flexible foundation for developers building custom Java Minecraft servers.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Minestom -
Best forPaper-compatible servers with specialized features
Free, open-source Paper compatibility with configurable behavior repairs and server-side extensions.
- Plugin API
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Leaves -
Best forFinding plugins and server resources
A web-based resource hub for discovering, evaluating, and downloading Minecraft plugins.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit SpigotMC
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Edition support | Extension model | Mod loader support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pumpkin | Yes | Free | Both | Plugins | No | 9.4 |
| 2 | Paper | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | No | 9.2 |
| 3 | Arclight | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | Cuberite | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | 8.5 | |
| 5 | Sponge | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 6 | Mohist | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 8.2 |
| 7 | Fabric | Yes | Free | Java | Mods | Yes | 8.1 |
| 8 | Minecraft Forge | Yes | Free | Java | Mods | Yes | 8.0 |
| 9 | NeoForge | Yes | Free | Java | Mods | Yes | 7.9 |
| 10 | Purpur | Free | Plugins | 7.8 | |||
| 11 | Leaf | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | 7.7 | |
| 12 | Pufferfish | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | No | 7.6 |
| 13 | Endstone | Yes | Free | Bedrock | Plugins | 7.5 | |
| 14 | PocketMine-MP | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | 7.4 | |
| 15 | Folia | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | 7.3 | |
| 16 | Gale | Free | Java | Plugins | 7.2 | ||
| 17 | Ketting | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 18 | Glowstone | Free | Java | Plugins | 6.9 | ||
| 19 | Minecraft: Java Edition Server | Yes | Free | Java | 6.8 | ||
| 20 | Allay | Yes | Free | Bedrock | Plugins | 6.7 | |
| 21 | Dragonfly | Yes | Free | Bedrock | None | 6.6 | |
| 22 | SteelMC | Yes | Free | Java | None | No | 6.5 |
| 23 | Minestom | Yes | Free | Java | None | No | 6.4 |
| 24 | Leaves | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | No | 6.3 |
| 25 | SpigotMC Resources | Yes | Free | 6.0 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- Pumpkin vs Paper
- Pumpkin vs Arclight
- Pumpkin vs Cuberite
- Pumpkin vs Sponge
- Pumpkin vs Mohist
- Pumpkin vs Fabric
- Pumpkin vs Minecraft Forge
- Paper vs Arclight
- Paper vs Cuberite
Explore other topics All topics →
- AI Tools 303 directories · 8,269 tools ranked AI Writing Tools · AI Video Generators · Text-to-Speech Software
- Web Hosting & Domains 275 directories · 6,107 tools ranked Shared Web Hosting · Managed Cloud Hosting · Dedicated Server Hosting
- Productivity 157 directories · 4,948 tools ranked Note-Taking Apps · Calendar Apps · Project Management Software
- Marketing 135 directories · 3,977 tools ranked SEO Tools · Influencer Marketing Platforms · Email Marketing Software
- Sales & CRM 152 directories · 4,161 tools ranked Real Estate CRM Software · CRM Software · Proposal Software
- Customer Service 55 directories · 1,547 tools ranked Chatbot Builders · Knowledge Base Software · Call Center Software
How we rank minecraft server software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update