CurseForge vs Modrinth

CurseForge9.3Visit Modrinth8.8Visit

Higher score CurseForge #1 in Game Mod Managers 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit CurseForge

vs

Modrinth #3 in Game Mod Managers 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Modrinth

• CurseForge fits best

  Minecraft players wanting a complete mod platform

• Modrinth fits best

  Minecraft users wanting an open-source alternative

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Side by side

Feature	CurseForge 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Modrinth 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Game Mod Managers	#3 in Game Mod Managers
Best for	Minecraft players wanting a complete mod platform	Minecraft users wanting an open-source alternative
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$4.99/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Cloud, Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Features CurseForge 0/3 · Modrinth 0/3
Mod profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Conflict detection	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Automatic updates	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Mod source access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Deployment method	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Broad catalog with mod-loader and Minecraft-version filters One-click installs, custom profiles, updates, and modpack sharing Web, desktop, Linux support, and a documented API	Search projects by game version and compatibility, with dependency details. Install, uninstall, and update mods through the desktop Modrinth App. Free catalog and creator features, collections, analytics, and a documented API.
Cons	Focused on Minecraft rather than multiple games Ad-free use and instant downloads are Premium features Desktop support is for Minecraft Java Edition	Focused on Minecraft: Java Edition rather than modding across multiple games. Modrinth+ mainly adds ad-free browsing and a profile badge. Modrinth Hosting is a separate paid product from the core platform.
Our verdict	CurseForge combines a Minecraft mod catalog with a companion desktop application operated by Overwolf. It is aimed at players who want to discover, install, organize, update, and share Minecraft mods and modpacks without managing every… Read the review →	Modrinth is an open-source Minecraft: Java Edition content platform for players, creators, and developers. Its website indexes mods, plugins, data packs, shaders, resource packs, and modpacks, while its desktop app lets players browse,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• CurseForge — where it wins

  • Broad catalog with mod-loader and Minecraft-version filters
  • One-click installs, custom profiles, updates, and modpack sharing
  • Web, desktop, Linux support, and a documented API

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on Minecraft rather than multiple games
  • Ad-free use and instant downloads are Premium features
  • Desktop support is for Minecraft Java Edition

• Modrinth — where it wins

  • Search projects by game version and compatibility, with dependency details.
  • Install, uninstall, and update mods through the desktop Modrinth App.
  • Free catalog and creator features, collections, analytics, and a documented API.

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on Minecraft: Java Edition rather than modding across multiple games.
  • Modrinth+ mainly adds ad-free browsing and a profile badge.
  • Modrinth Hosting is a separate paid product from the core platform.

• CurseForge9.3/10 · Free plan

  A broad Minecraft mod marketplace with profiles, version filters, dependencies, and updates.

  Visit CurseForgeFull verdict →
• Modrinth8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free Minecraft: Java Edition catalog and app for finding, managing, and sharing content.

  Visit ModrinthFull verdict →