Lightfall review
A focused, free proxy for Forge networks running Minecraft 1.18–1.20.4.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Lightfall is an open-source Waterfall fork designed to run as a BungeeCord server for Minecraft networks using modern Forge. It is aimed at administrators who need a self-hosted proxy for Forge-based servers rather than a broad, general-purpose proxy feature set. Compatibility is listed for BungeeCord and Waterfall, with support spanning Minecraft 1.18 through 1.20.4. The project is provided by ArclightPowered and can be run with the Lightfall JAR.
Configuration centers on the proxy workflow: administrators run the JAR, configure the proxy, and enable BungeeCord mode on supported Arclight servers. Optional IP forwarding and entity-metadata rewrite settings give operators additional control over how connected servers receive information. These settings make Lightfall a fit for networks that need specific forwarding behavior, while its narrower focus may be less suitable for buyers seeking a larger set of proxy capabilities.
Lightfall also documents a client-side mod for compatibility with some Minecraft versions. The latest listed release, 1.20-3, states that the client mod is no longer required after Minecraft 1.20.2, which reduces that dependency for newer supported versions. Choose Lightfall when modern Forge support, open-source availability, and compatibility with the BungeeCord or Waterfall model are the priorities. Consider another proxy when the network needs a broader verified feature range or a deployment model other than self-hosting.
Lightfall pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and open-source with self-hosted deployment
- Modern Forge support for Minecraft 1.18 through 1.20.4
- Optional forwarding, metadata rewrite, and client-mod integration
- Where it doesn't
- Focused feature set compared with broader proxy options
- Requires administrators to run and configure the Lightfall JAR
- Client-mod requirements vary across supported Minecraft versions
Lightfall fact sheet, pricing and score →
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