Refract vs Cactus MC Launcher

Refract8.2Visit Cactus MC Launcher7.1Visit

Higher score Refract #2 in Minecraft Launchers 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Refract

vs

Cactus MC Launcher #7 in Minecraft Launchers 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Cactus MC

• Refract fits best

  Users migrating from other launchers

• Cactus MC Launcher fits best

  Players wanting integrated server features

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Side by side

Feature	Refract 8.2/10 Visit ↗	Cactus MC Launcher 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.2	7.1
Ranking	#2 in Minecraft Launchers	#7 in Minecraft Launchers
Best for	Users migrating from other launchers	Players wanting integrated server features
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs, Tickets	Community
Integrations	3 integrations	3 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Refract 4/4 · Cactus MC Launcher 4/4
Separate instances	✓	✓
Java runtime management	✓	✓
Built-in modpack catalog	✓	✓
Automatic updates	✓	✓
Specs
Desktop OS support	Not published	Not published
Modpack import	Both	Both
Mod loader support	Multiple	Multiple
Our review
Pros	Imports libraries from six established Minecraft launchers Supports Modrinth, CurseForge, and FTB content sources Manages instances, Java runtimes, worlds, backups, and servers	Supports Vanilla, Fabric, Quilt, Forge, and NeoForge loaders Installs modpacks from Modrinth and CurseForge Includes dedicated-server console and world management
Cons	Desktop-only support for Windows, macOS, and Linux Its broad feature set may be more than casual players need GPL v3.0 licensing may not suit proprietary software preferences	Desktop coverage is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux Free-only pricing offers no paid tier for differentiated plans Focused on Minecraft rather than broader game-library management
Our verdict	Refract is an open-source Minecraft launcher for desktop players who want separate, isolated instances alongside tools for mods, modpacks, worlds, servers, screenshots, logs, and Java runtimes. It is especially well suited to users… Read the review →	Cactus MC Launcher is a free, open-source desktop launcher for Minecraft on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is aimed at players who want separate instances for different Minecraft versions and loaders, along with tools for mods, modpacks,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Refract — where it wins

  • Imports libraries from six established Minecraft launchers
  • Supports Modrinth, CurseForge, and FTB content sources
  • Manages instances, Java runtimes, worlds, backups, and servers

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop-only support for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Its broad feature set may be more than casual players need
  • GPL v3.0 licensing may not suit proprietary software preferences

• Cactus MC Launcher — where it wins

  • Supports Vanilla, Fabric, Quilt, Forge, and NeoForge loaders
  • Installs modpacks from Modrinth and CurseForge
  • Includes dedicated-server console and world management

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop coverage is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Free-only pricing offers no paid tier for differentiated plans
  • Focused on Minecraft rather than broader game-library management

• Refract8.2/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free launcher for players moving libraries and modpacks from other launchers.

  Visit RefractFull verdict →
• Cactus MC Launcher7.1/10 · Free plan

  A capable free launcher for players managing modded instances and dedicated servers.

  Visit Cactus MCFull verdict →