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Head-to-head · Minecraft Server Software

Pumpkin vs Fabric

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Pumpkin #1 in Minecraft Server Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Pumpkin
Fabric #7 in Minecraft Server Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Fabric

Pumpkin leads on 0 checks, Fabric on 1, and 4 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 scorePumpkin · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPumpkin · 3 of 4

Pumpkin scores higher on our rubric for minecraft server software: 9.4 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

On edition support, Pumpkin gives you Both where Fabric offers Java. On extension model, Fabric gives you Mods where Pumpkin offers Plugins. Fabric offers mod loader support; Pumpkin doesn't.

Pumpkin is the better fit for cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers. Fabric is the better fit for mod-focused Java server builders.

  • Pumpkin fits best

    Cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers

  • Fabric fits best

    Mod-focused Java server builders

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Side by side

Feature Pumpkin 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Fabric 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.1
Ranking #1 in Minecraft Server Software #7 in Minecraft Server Software
Best for Cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers Mod-focused Java server builders
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Pumpkin 3/4 · Fabric 1/4
Java–Bedrock cross-play ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Mod loader support — ✓ (best)
Plugin API ✓ (best) Not checked yet
RCON support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Edition support Both Java
Extension model Plugins Mods
Server platforms Multi_platform Multi_platform
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Java and Bedrock players in the same world
  • Includes plugins, RCON, proxy forwarding, and multiple world formats
  • Runs across Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, and Nix/NixOS
  • Loads Fabric-compatible Minecraft mods with fabric.mod.json metadata
  • Includes API hooks, events, utilities, and development APIs
  • Supports command-line and remote, headless server installation
Cons
  • Still in early development and not officially released
  • Does not support a mod loader
  • May require technical self-hosting and plugin setup
  • Supports Minecraft Java Edition rather than a standalone multi-edition server
  • Is a mod loader and toolchain, not a replacement server implementation
  • Focuses on Fabric-compatible mods rather than a general plugin layer
Our verdict

Pumpkin is an open-source Minecraft server written in Rust for self-hosted deployments. It is designed for operators who want Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition players to join the same world without requiring Java or an external…

Read the review →

Fabric is an open-source modding toolchain for Minecraft: Java Edition. It combines Fabric Loader for loading mods, Fabric API for hooks, events, utilities, and development APIs, and Fabric Loom for Gradle-based mod development. The…

Read the review →
  1. PumpkinMinecraft Server Software 9.4Free plan
  2. FabricMinecraft Server Software 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Pumpkin — where it wins

    • Supports Java and Bedrock players in the same world
    • Includes plugins, RCON, proxy forwarding, and multiple world formats
    • Runs across Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, and Nix/NixOS

    Where it doesn't

    • Still in early development and not officially released
    • Does not support a mod loader
    • May require technical self-hosting and plugin setup

  • Fabric — where it wins

    • Loads Fabric-compatible Minecraft mods with fabric.mod.json metadata
    • Includes API hooks, events, utilities, and development APIs
    • Supports command-line and remote, headless server installation

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Minecraft Java Edition rather than a standalone multi-edition server
    • Is a mod loader and toolchain, not a replacement server implementation
    • Focuses on Fabric-compatible mods rather than a general plugin layer

More comparisons

All minecraft server software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update