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Head-to-head · Minecraft Mod Development Tools

ModDevGradle vs NeoForge

  • 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
NeoForge #8 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit NeoForge

ModDevGradle leads on 0 checks, NeoForge 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 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

ModDevGradle is the better fit for neoForge and Forge developers. NeoForge is the better fit for neoForge mod developers.

  • ModDevGradle fits best

    NeoForge and Forge developers

  • NeoForge fits best

    NeoForge mod developers

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Side by side

Feature ModDevGradle 9.1/10 Visit ↗ NeoForge 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #3 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools #8 in Minecraft Mod Development Tools
Best for NeoForge and Forge developers NeoForge mod 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
Features ModDevGradle 3/4 · NeoForge 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
  • Supports client, dedicated-server, and modpack installation
  • Includes mod development APIs and a Gradle-based toolchain
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: Java Edition
  • Development centers on APIs and Gradle tooling
  • Requires separate client or server installation workflows
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 →

NeoForge is a free, open-source modding API and server platform for Minecraft: Java Edition. It is designed for mod developers, server administrators, and players who need a supported way to install and load mods or modpacks. Client…

Read the review →
  1. ModDevGradleMinecraft Mod Development Tools 9.1Open source
  2. NeoForgeMinecraft Mod Development Tools 8.6Free 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

  • NeoForge — where it wins

    • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Supports client, dedicated-server, and modpack installation
    • Includes mod development APIs and a Gradle-based toolchain

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on Minecraft: Java Edition
    • Development centers on APIs and Gradle tooling
    • Requires separate client or server installation workflows

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