Paper vs Arclight

Paper9.2Visit AArclight8.9Visit

Higher score Paper #2 in Minecraft Server Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit PaperMC

vs

A Arclight #3 in Minecraft Server Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Arclight

• Paper fits best

  Most Java server operators

• Arclight fits best

  Servers combining mods and plugins

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Side by side

Feature	Paper 9.2/10 Visit ↗	AArclight 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Minecraft Server Software	#3 in Minecraft Server Software
Best for	Most Java server operators	Servers combining mods and plugins
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, Linux	Windows, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Paper 2/4 · Arclight 2/4
Java–Bedrock cross-play	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mod loader support	—	✓ (best)
Plugin API	✓	✓
RCON support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Edition support	Java	Java
Extension model	Plugins	Plugins_and_mods
Server platforms	Multi_platform	Multi_platform
Our review
Pros	Performance optimizations for chunks, lighting, hoppers, and entities Bukkit, Spigot, and Paper API compatibility with plugin support RCON, configurable worlds, runnable JARs, and migration support	Supports Bukkit and Spigot plugins with Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge Free, open-source software for self-hosted Minecraft Java servers Deploys as a downloadable JAR with Java command-line launching
Cons	Self-hosted software requires server administration Supports Java Edition rather than a hosted multi-edition service Does not provide built-in mod loader support	Limited to Minecraft Java Edition Requires self-hosted deployment and local Java command-line setup Compatibility depends on supported loaders and Bukkit/Spigot plugin APIs
Our verdict	Paper is open-source Minecraft: Java Edition server software for administrators and developers who want to run their own server. Based on Spigot, it focuses on server performance, gameplay and mechanics consistency, and extensibility… Read the review →	Arclight is an open-source Minecraft Java server implementation for administrators who want to combine Bukkit or Spigot plugins with mods. It supports self-hosted deployment on Windows and Linux, and is distributed as a downloadable JAR… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Paper — where it wins

  • Performance optimizations for chunks, lighting, hoppers, and entities
  • Bukkit, Spigot, and Paper API compatibility with plugin support
  • RCON, configurable worlds, runnable JARs, and migration support

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosted software requires server administration
  • Supports Java Edition rather than a hosted multi-edition service
  • Does not provide built-in mod loader support

• Arclight — where it wins

  • Supports Bukkit and Spigot plugins with Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge
  • Free, open-source software for self-hosted Minecraft Java servers
  • Deploys as a downloadable JAR with Java command-line launching

  Where it doesn't

  • Limited to Minecraft Java Edition
  • Requires self-hosted deployment and local Java command-line setup
  • Compatibility depends on supported loaders and Bukkit/Spigot plugin APIs

• Paper9.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, self-hosted Java server with strong performance work and plugin compatibility.

  Visit PaperMCFull verdict →
• AArclight8.9/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Java server implementation for combining mods and plugins.

  Visit ArclightFull verdict →