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Head-to-head · Minecraft Mod Development Tools

ModDevGradle vs MCreator

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ModDevGradle #3 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools 9.1/10 Open source Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit NeoForged
MCreator #6 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools 8.8/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit MCreator

ModDevGradle leads on 0 checks, MCreator on 0, and 5 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 scoreModDevGradle · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly ModDevGradle
  • Most featuresModDevGradle · 3 of 4

ModDevGradle scores higher on our rubric for minecraft mod development tools: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

ModDevGradle is the better fit for neoForge and Forge developers. MCreator is the better fit for visual mod creators.

  • ModDevGradle fits best

    NeoForge and Forge developers

  • MCreator fits best

    Visual mod creators

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Side by side

Feature ModDevGradle 9.1/10 Visit ↗ MCreator 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #3 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools #6 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools
Best for NeoForge and Forge developers Visual mod creators
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features ModDevGradle 3/4 · MCreator 0/4
Visual editor — Not checked yet
Code debugging ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Dependency management ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Artifact packaging ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported loaders NeoForge; Minecraft Forge Not checked yet
Minecraft versions 1.17–1.20.1; 1.21.1; 26.1.2; 26.2; 26.3 Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports client, server, data, game, and game-test runs
  • Handles dependencies, decompilation, Jar-in-Jar packaging, and testing
  • Generates Gradle and IntelliJ configurations for debugging
  • Creates Java mods, Bedrock add-ons, resource packs, and data packs
  • Combines graphical programming with an integrated code editor
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with Gradle-based exporting
Cons
  • No visual editor for no-code mod creation
  • Legacy Forge support ends at Minecraft 1.20.1
  • Requires a Gradle-based Minecraft development workflow
  • Focused on Minecraft content rather than general-purpose game development
  • Desktop software requires Windows, macOS, or Linux
  • Plugin-based extensibility may require additional project-specific setup
Our verdict

ModDevGradle is an open-source Gradle plugin for developing Minecraft mods with NeoForge and Minecraft Forge. It is aimed at developers working in code-based, Gradle-managed projects rather than people seeking visual or no-code mod…

Read the review →

MCreator is open-source desktop software for creating Minecraft Java Edition mods, Bedrock Edition add-ons, resource packs, and data packs. Its visual interface is intended for Minecraft players, aspiring mod developers, educators, online…

Read the review →
  1. ModDevGradleMinecraft Mod Development Tools 9.1Open source
  2. MCreatorMinecraft Mod Development Tools 8.8Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ModDevGradle — where it wins

    • Supports client, server, data, game, and game-test runs
    • Handles dependencies, decompilation, Jar-in-Jar packaging, and testing
    • Generates Gradle and IntelliJ configurations for debugging

    Where it doesn't

    • No visual editor for no-code mod creation
    • Legacy Forge support ends at Minecraft 1.20.1
    • Requires a Gradle-based Minecraft development workflow

  • MCreator — where it wins

    • Creates Java mods, Bedrock add-ons, resource packs, and data packs
    • Combines graphical programming with an integrated code editor
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with Gradle-based exporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on Minecraft content rather than general-purpose game development
    • Desktop software requires Windows, macOS, or Linux
    • Plugin-based extensibility may require additional project-specific setup
  • ModDevGradle9.1/10 · Open source

    A broad Gradle toolkit for developers building, testing, debugging, and packaging Minecraft mods.

    Visit NeoForgedFull verdict →
  • MCreator8.8/10 · Open source

    A visual Minecraft creation tool with code editing and Gradle-based project exports.

    Visit MCreatorFull verdict →

More comparisons

All minecraft mod development tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update