Arclight vs Cuberite

AArclight8.9Visit Cuberite8.5Visit

Higher score A Arclight #3 in Minecraft Server Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Arclight

vs

Cuberite #4 in Minecraft Server Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Cuberite

• Arclight fits best

  Servers combining mods and plugins

• Cuberite fits best

  Mature cross-platform Java servers

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.

Side by side

Feature	AArclight 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Cuberite 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.5
Ranking	#3 in Minecraft Server Software	#4 in Minecraft Server Software
Best for	Servers combining mods and plugins	Mature cross-platform Java servers
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business
Features Arclight 2/4 · Cuberite 2/4
Java–Bedrock cross-play	Not checked yet	—
Mod loader support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Plugin API	✓	✓
RCON support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Edition support	Java	Java
Extension model	Plugins_and_mods	Plugins
Server platforms	Multi_platform	Multi_platform
Our review
Pros	Supports Bukkit and Spigot plugins with Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge Free, open-source software for self-hosted Minecraft Java servers Deploys as a downloadable JAR with Java command-line launching	Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android Lua plugin API, repository, and configurable server settings Multiple worlds, world generation, WebAdmin, and RCON support
Cons	Limited to Minecraft Java Edition Requires self-hosted deployment and local Java command-line setup Compatibility depends on supported loaders and Bukkit/Spigot plugin APIs	Supports Minecraft Java Edition 1.8–1.12.2 Does not provide crossplay support RCON protocol is unencrypted
Our verdict	Arclight is an open-source Minecraft Java server implementation for administrators who want to combine Bukkit or Spigot plugins with mods. It supports self-hosted deployment on Windows and Linux, and is distributed as a downloadable JAR… Read the review →	Cuberite is a free, open-source Minecraft Java Edition server written in C++. It is aimed at self-hosted servers that need configurable performance and extensibility rather than a commercial hosted service. Official builds are available… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Arclight — where it wins

  • Supports Bukkit and Spigot plugins with Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge
  • Free, open-source software for self-hosted Minecraft Java servers
  • Deploys as a downloadable JAR with Java command-line launching

  Where it doesn't

  • Limited to Minecraft Java Edition
  • Requires self-hosted deployment and local Java command-line setup
  • Compatibility depends on supported loaders and Bukkit/Spigot plugin APIs

• Cuberite — where it wins

  • Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
  • Lua plugin API, repository, and configurable server settings
  • Multiple worlds, world generation, WebAdmin, and RCON support

  Where it doesn't

  • Supports Minecraft Java Edition 1.8–1.12.2
  • Does not provide crossplay support
  • RCON protocol is unencrypted

• AArclight8.9/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Java server implementation for combining mods and plugins.

  Visit ArclightFull verdict →
• Cuberite8.5/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source choice for configurable, self-hosted Java servers.

  Visit CuberiteFull verdict →