Pumpkin vs Paper

Pumpkin9.4Visit Paper9.2Visit

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

vs

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

• Pumpkin fits best

  Cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers

• Paper fits best

  Most Java server operators

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Side by side

Feature	Pumpkin 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Paper 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Minecraft Server Software	#2 in Minecraft Server Software
Best for	Cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers	Most Java server operators
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Pumpkin 3/4 · Paper 2/4
Java–Bedrock cross-play	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Mod loader support	—	—
Plugin API	✓	✓
RCON support	✓	✓
Specs
Edition support	Both	Java
Extension model	Plugins	Plugins
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	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
Cons	Still in early development and not officially released Does not support a mod loader May require technical self-hosting and plugin setup	Self-hosted software requires server administration Supports Java Edition rather than a hosted multi-edition service Does not provide built-in mod loader support
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 →	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 →

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

• 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

• Pumpkin9.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit PumpkinFull verdict →
• Paper9.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit PaperMCFull verdict →