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Head-to-head · Minecraft Mod Development Tools

ModDevGradle vs Minecraft Forge

  • 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
Minecraft Forge #7 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Try Minecraft Forge

ModDevGradle leads on 0 checks, Minecraft Forge 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 planboth
  • Most featuresModDevGradle · 3 of 4

ModDevGradle scores higher on our rubric for minecraft mod development tools: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

ModDevGradle is the better fit for neoForge and Forge developers. Minecraft Forge is the better fit for forge ecosystem developers.

  • ModDevGradle fits best

    NeoForge and Forge developers

  • Minecraft Forge fits best

    Forge ecosystem developers

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Side by side

Feature ModDevGradle 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Minecraft Forge 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #3 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools #7 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools
Best for NeoForge and Forge developers Forge ecosystem developers
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ModDevGradle 3/4 · Minecraft Forge 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
  • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Includes registries, events, networking, configuration, and data generation
  • Supports vanilla launcher integration and dedicated server installation
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
  • Supports Minecraft: Java Edition only
  • Does not provide crossplay support
  • Development details are less extensive than ForgeGradle
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 →

Minecraft Forge is a free, open-source modding API and server platform for Minecraft: Java Edition. It is designed for developers creating Forge mods, server operators running dedicated installations, and teams that need development…

Read the review →
  1. ModDevGradleMinecraft Mod Development Tools 9.1Open source
  2. Minecraft ForgeMinecraft Mod Development Tools 8.7Free plan

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

  • Minecraft Forge — where it wins

    • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Includes registries, events, networking, configuration, and data generation
    • Supports vanilla launcher integration and dedicated server installation

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Minecraft: Java Edition only
    • Does not provide crossplay support
    • Development details are less extensive than ForgeGradle

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