Paper comparisons
Paper is compared head-to-head with Pumpkin, Arclight and Cuberite and more: 7 head-to-heads in Minecraft Server Software, each with the specs and prices we checked.
Paper head-to-head
- Paper vs Pumpkin
- Paper vs Arclight
- Paper vs Cuberite
- Paper vs Sponge
- Paper vs Mohist
- Paper vs Fabric
- Paper vs Minecraft Forge
Paper vs each of them
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Edition support | Extension model | Java–Bedrock cross-play | Mod loader support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Paper | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | No | 9.2 | |
| 1 | Pumpkin | Yes | Free | Both | Plugins | Yes | No | 9.4 |
| 3 | Arclight | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 4 | Cuberite | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | No | 8.5 | |
| 5 | Sponge | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | No | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 6 | Mohist | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 7 | Fabric | Yes | Free | Java | Mods | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 8 | Minecraft Forge | Yes | Free | Java | Mods | No | Yes | 8.0 |
Compare Paper with any Minecraft server software
These are the matchups our editors wrote up. The compare tool pairs Paper with any other product in Minecraft Server Software — and up to four at once — from the same checked specs.
Compare Paper with any tool side by side →
Every minecraft server software head-to-head →
Our full Paper verdict, pricing and fact sheet →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Compared by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update