Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Minecraft Modpack Builders

CurseForge vs ATLauncher

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score CurseForge #1 in Minecraft Modpack Builders 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Get CurseForge
ATLauncher #5 in Minecraft Modpack Builders 7.1/10 Free · open source (GPL-3.0) Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Get ATLauncher

CurseForge leads on 2 checks, ATLauncher on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCurseForge · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresCurseForge · 3 of 4

CurseForge scores higher on our rubric for minecraft modpack builders: 9.0 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

CurseForge offers built-in publishing; ATLauncher doesn't publish it. CurseForge offers share by code; ATLauncher doesn't publish it. ATLauncher offers open source; CurseForge doesn't publish it.

CurseForge is the better fit for building packs from CurseForge's mod catalogue. ATLauncher is the better fit for playing and tweaking established modpacks.

  • CurseForge fits best

    Building packs from CurseForge's mod catalogue

  • ATLauncher fits best

    Playing and tweaking established modpacks

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature CurseForge 9.0/10 Visit ↗ ATLauncher 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.1
Ranking #1 in Minecraft Modpack Builders #5 in Minecraft Modpack Builders
Best for Building packs from CurseForge's mod catalogue Playing and tweaking established modpacks
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $2.5/mo Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Features CurseForge 3/4 · ATLauncher 2/4
Built-in publishing ✓ (best) Not published
Server tools ✓ ✓
Share by code ✓ (best) Not published
Open source Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Mod & pack sources CurseForge ATLauncher, CurseForge, Modrinth, Technic, FTB
Export formats CurseForge .zip, Profile code CurseForge .zip, Modrinth .mrpack
Our review
Pros
  • Custom profiles on Forge, Fabric, NeoForge or Quilt with one-click installs
  • Shares a pack as a .zip or as a profile code valid for seven days
  • Exports in the format CurseForge accepts for public modpack projects
  • 142 packs of its own, plus CurseForge, Modrinth, Technic and FTB browsing
  • Exports instances for CurseForge or as Modrinth .mrpack files
  • Installs servers for packs, with start scripts that cover NeoForge
Cons
  • Only mods hosted on CurseForge install in one click; others need manual steps
  • Hosted servers cover listed modpacks first, not yet custom ones
  • Profile codes expire after seven days and need a CurseForge login
  • Recent updates fixed several export bugs, so check exports before sharing
  • FTB packs were pulled for a time and only returned in November 2024
  • Portable and jar builds must run from their own folder
Our verdict

CurseForge, run by Overwolf, is one of the largest homes for Minecraft mods, and its desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux doubles as a modpack builder. A custom profile is created from the Minecraft section by naming it, choosing a…

Read the review →

ATLauncher has been around since 2013 and is still maintained, with releases through August 2026. It lists 142 modpacks on its own platform, from Pixelmon and All The Forge 10 to SkyFactory 4, and it can also browse and install packs from…

Read the review →
  1. CurseForgeMinecraft Modpack Builders 9.0Free plan
  2. ATLauncherMinecraft Modpack Builders 7.1Free · open source (GPL-3.0)

Strengths and trade-offs

  • CurseForge — where it wins

    • Custom profiles on Forge, Fabric, NeoForge or Quilt with one-click installs
    • Shares a pack as a .zip or as a profile code valid for seven days
    • Exports in the format CurseForge accepts for public modpack projects

    Where it doesn't

    • Only mods hosted on CurseForge install in one click; others need manual steps
    • Hosted servers cover listed modpacks first, not yet custom ones
    • Profile codes expire after seven days and need a CurseForge login

  • ATLauncher — where it wins

    • 142 packs of its own, plus CurseForge, Modrinth, Technic and FTB browsing
    • Exports instances for CurseForge or as Modrinth .mrpack files
    • Installs servers for packs, with start scripts that cover NeoForge

    Where it doesn't

    • Recent updates fixed several export bugs, so check exports before sharing
    • FTB packs were pulled for a time and only returned in November 2024
    • Portable and jar builds must run from their own folder
  • CurseForge9.0/10 · Free plan

    A huge mod catalogue with a builder built in: custom profiles, share codes and a route to publishing.

    Get CurseForgeFull verdict →
  • ATLauncher7.1/10 · Free · open source (GPL-3.0)

    A veteran open-source launcher with 142 curated packs, outside catalogues and CurseForge and Modrinth export.

    Get ATLauncherFull verdict →

More comparisons

All minecraft modpack builders comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update