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Head-to-head · Minecraft Server Control Panels

Crafty Controller vs Minepanel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Crafty Controller #2 in Minecraft Server Control Panels 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Crafty
Minepanel #4 in Minecraft Server Control Panels 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Minepanel

Crafty Controller leads on 0 checks, Minepanel on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCrafty Controller · 7.9/10
  • Free planboth

Crafty Controller scores higher on our rubric for minecraft server control panels: 7.9 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Crafty Controller is the better fit for free users wanting a polished general panel. Minepanel is the better fit for self-hosters wanting API-driven management.

  • Crafty Controller fits best

    Free users wanting a polished general panel

  • Minepanel fits best

    Self-hosters wanting API-driven management

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Side by side

Feature Crafty Controller 7.9/10 Visit ↗ Minepanel 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.7
Ranking #2 in Minecraft Server Control Panels #4 in Minecraft Server Control Panels
Best for Free users wanting a polished general panel Self-hosters wanting API-driven management
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Mobile Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web
Support Community, Docs Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Crafty Controller 4/5 · Minepanel 4/5
Scheduled backups ✓ ✓
Web file manager ✓ ✓
SFTP access — Not checked yet
Multi-user roles ✓ ✓
Server import ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported operating systems Both Both
Server software support Minecraft Java, Minecraft Bedrock, JAR-based Minecraft servers, Bedrock executables, Forge, NeoForge Vanilla, Paper, Forge, NeoForge, Fabric, Spigot, Purpur, Pufferfish, Folia, CurseForge, Modrinth, GTNH, and FTB modpacks
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Minecraft Java and Bedrock server management
  • Includes backups, schedules, roles, and crash recovery
  • Free, open source, and accessible through web and mobile apps
  • Manages Java and Bedrock servers in isolated containers
  • Includes monitoring, backups, file tools, roles, and modpack support
  • REST API, proxy routing, and integrations support automation
Cons
  • Does not provide panel-level SFTP access
  • Requires self-hosting and administration
  • No verified integrations are listed
  • Requires self-hosting rather than a hosted deployment
  • Installation uses Docker Compose on Linux, macOS, or Windows via WSL2
  • Its platform coverage is limited to web and self-hosted use
Our verdict

Crafty Controller is a free, open-source Minecraft server launcher and management panel from Arcadia Technology. It runs as a self-hosted web application for administrators managing Minecraft Java, Bedrock, JAR-based, Forge, or NeoForge…

Read the review →

Minepanel is a Docker-based web control panel for creating, configuring, monitoring, and operating multiple Minecraft Java and Bedrock servers. It suits self-hosters, technical administrators, and teams that want direct control over…

Read the review →
  1. Crafty ControllerMinecraft Server Control Panels 7.9Free plan
  2. MinepanelMinecraft Server Control Panels 7.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Crafty Controller — where it wins

    • Supports Minecraft Java and Bedrock server management
    • Includes backups, schedules, roles, and crash recovery
    • Free, open source, and accessible through web and mobile apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Does not provide panel-level SFTP access
    • Requires self-hosting and administration
    • No verified integrations are listed
  • Minepanel — where it wins

    • Manages Java and Bedrock servers in isolated containers
    • Includes monitoring, backups, file tools, roles, and modpack support
    • REST API, proxy routing, and integrations support automation

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosting rather than a hosted deployment
    • Installation uses Docker Compose on Linux, macOS, or Windows via WSL2
    • Its platform coverage is limited to web and self-hosted use

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update