Paper vs Cuberite

Paper9.2Visit Cuberite8.5Visit

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

vs

Cuberite #4 in Minecraft Server Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Cuberite

• Paper fits best

  Most Java server operators

• Cuberite fits best

  Mature cross-platform Java servers

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Paper 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Cuberite 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.5
Ranking	#2 in Minecraft Server Software	#4 in Minecraft Server Software
Best for	Most Java server operators	Mature cross-platform Java servers
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Paper 2/4 · Cuberite 2/4
Java–Bedrock cross-play	Not checked yet	—
Mod loader support	—	Not checked yet
Plugin API	✓	✓
RCON support	✓	✓
Specs
Edition support	Java	Java
Extension model	Plugins	Plugins
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	Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android Lua plugin API, repository, and configurable server settings Multiple worlds, world generation, WebAdmin, and RCON support
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	Supports Minecraft Java Edition 1.8–1.12.2 Does not provide crossplay support RCON protocol is unencrypted
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 →	Cuberite is a free, open-source Minecraft Java Edition server written in C++. It is aimed at self-hosted servers that need configurable performance and extensibility rather than a commercial hosted service. Official builds are available… 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

• Cuberite — where it wins

  • Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
  • Lua plugin API, repository, and configurable server settings
  • Multiple worlds, world generation, WebAdmin, and RCON support

  Where it doesn't

  • Supports Minecraft Java Edition 1.8–1.12.2
  • Does not provide crossplay support
  • RCON protocol is unencrypted

• Paper9.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit PaperMCFull verdict →
• Cuberite8.5/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source choice for configurable, self-hosted Java servers.

  Visit CuberiteFull verdict →