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Head-to-head · Minecraft World Editors

WorldPainter vs MCA Selector

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score WorldPainter #5 in Minecraft World Editors 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit WorldPainter
MCA Selector #6 in Minecraft World Editors 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit MCA Selector

WorldPainter leads on 1 check, MCA Selector on 3, and 1 is 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 scoreWorldPainter · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMCA Selector · 3 of 4

WorldPainter scores higher on our rubric for minecraft world editors: 8.5 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

MCA Selector offers region editing; WorldPainter doesn't. WorldPainter offers terrain editing; MCA Selector doesn't. MCA Selector offers entity editing; WorldPainter doesn't. MCA Selector offers batch operations; WorldPainter doesn't.

WorldPainter is the better fit for free open-source Java terrain editing. MCA Selector is the better fit for bulk Java chunk and region operations.

  • WorldPainter fits best

    Free open-source Java terrain editing

  • MCA Selector fits best

    Bulk Java chunk and region operations

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Side by side

Feature WorldPainter 8.5/10 Visit ↗ MCA Selector 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.3
Ranking #5 in Minecraft World Editors #6 in Minecraft World Editors
Best for Free open-source Java terrain editing Bulk Java chunk and region operations
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features WorldPainter 1/4 · MCA Selector 3/4
Region editing — ✓ (best)
Terrain editing ✓ (best) —
Entity editing — ✓ (best)
Batch operations — ✓ (best)
Specs
Minecraft editions Java Java
Supported platforms windows, macos, linux windows, macos, linux
Supported world formats WorldPainter .world files; Minecraft Java maps; height map images; BO2, BO3, NBT, SCHEM and schematic custom objects Anvil .mca region files
Our review
Pros
  • Strong terrain sculpting, painting, biome, and water-level tools
  • Supports custom objects, mod blocks, brushes, and terrain layers
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with Java map export
  • Map-based selection, metadata filters, and entity-condition filtering
  • Bulk NBT changes, deletion, import/export, and CSV workflows
  • Free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Cons
  • No entity editing, region tools, or batch operations
  • Existing-map import and merge support has limitations
  • macOS installer page lists an older version
  • Supports Minecraft Java Edition world saves rather than other editions
  • Does not provide terrain editing tools
  • Focused on Anvil .mca region files and advanced world management
Our verdict

WorldPainter is a free, open-source desktop application for creating and exporting interactive Minecraft Java Edition maps. It is aimed at builders and map creators who want to shape terrain, paint materials, add vegetation, adjust biomes…

Read the review →

MCA Selector is a free, open-source desktop utility for Minecraft Java Edition world saves. It is designed for server administrators, map creators, and advanced users who need to manage existing world files rather than sculpt terrain. The…

Read the review →
  1. WorldPainterMinecraft World Editors 8.5Free plan
  2. MCA SelectorMinecraft World Editors 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • WorldPainter — where it wins

    • Strong terrain sculpting, painting, biome, and water-level tools
    • Supports custom objects, mod blocks, brushes, and terrain layers
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with Java map export

    Where it doesn't

    • No entity editing, region tools, or batch operations
    • Existing-map import and merge support has limitations
    • macOS installer page lists an older version

  • MCA Selector — where it wins

    • Map-based selection, metadata filters, and entity-condition filtering
    • Bulk NBT changes, deletion, import/export, and CSV workflows
    • Free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Minecraft Java Edition world saves rather than other editions
    • Does not provide terrain editing tools
    • Focused on Anvil .mca region files and advanced world management

More comparisons

All minecraft world editors comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update