Paper vs Sponge

Paper9.2Visit Sponge8.3Visit

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

vs

Sponge #5 in Minecraft Server Software 8.3/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Sponge

• Paper fits best

  Most Java server operators

• Sponge fits best

  Java servers using plugins and mods

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Side by side

Feature	Paper 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Sponge 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.3
Ranking	#2 in Minecraft Server Software	#5 in Minecraft Server Software
Best for	Most Java server operators	Java servers using plugins and mods
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Open source
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Paper 2/4 · Sponge 2/4
Java–Bedrock cross-play	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 standalone, Forge, and NeoForge server implementations Combines plugin development with permissions and server administration Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with self-hosted deployment
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 rather than crossplay Requires self-hosted server deployment Support is provided through community resources and documentation
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 →	Sponge is an open-source server platform and plugin development framework for Minecraft: Java Edition. It is designed for server owners and Java developers who want configurable, self-hosted servers with extension support. SpongeAPI… 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

• Sponge — where it wins

  • Supports standalone, Forge, and NeoForge server implementations
  • Combines plugin development with permissions and server administration
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with self-hosted deployment

  Where it doesn't

  • Supports Minecraft: Java Edition rather than crossplay
  • Requires self-hosted server deployment
  • Support is provided through community resources and documentation

• Paper9.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit PaperMCFull verdict →
• Sponge8.3/10 · Open source

  A flexible Java server platform for plugins, mods, permissions, and administration.

  Visit SpongeFull verdict →