Pumpkin vs Minecraft Forge

Pumpkin9.4Visit Minecraft Forge8.0Visit

Higher score Pumpkin #1 in Minecraft Server Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Pumpkin

vs

Minecraft Forge #8 in Minecraft Server Software 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Try Minecraft Forge

• Pumpkin fits best

  Cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers

• Minecraft Forge fits best

  Established Minecraft modded servers

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Side by side

Feature	Pumpkin 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Minecraft Forge 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.0
Ranking	#1 in Minecraft Server Software	#8 in Minecraft Server Software
Best for	Cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers	Established Minecraft modded servers
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, Enterprise
Features Pumpkin 3/4 · Minecraft Forge 1/4
Java–Bedrock cross-play	✓ (best)	—
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	Dedicated server installation supports self-hosting Mod registries, events, networking, and configuration APIs Free, open source, and available on Windows, macOS, and Linux
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 only No crossplay support across editions Uses mods rather than a plugin-based extension model
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 →	Minecraft Forge is a free, open-source modding API and server platform for Minecraft: Java Edition. It is aimed at server operators running established modded environments and developers creating mods. The Forge installer integrates with… Read the review →

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

• Minecraft Forge — where it wins

  • Dedicated server installation supports self-hosting
  • Mod registries, events, networking, and configuration APIs
  • Free, open source, and available on Windows, macOS, and Linux

  Where it doesn't

  • Supports Minecraft: Java Edition only
  • No crossplay support across editions
  • Uses mods rather than a plugin-based extension model

• Pumpkin9.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free server option for cross-play worlds, plugins, and self-hosted deployment.

  Visit PumpkinFull verdict →
• Minecraft Forge8.0/10 · Free plan

  A free, self-hosted Forge stack for established Java modded servers.

  Try Minecraft ForgeFull verdict →