Pumpkin review
A broad, free server option for cross-play worlds, plugins, and self-hosted deployment.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 cross-play proxy. Native executable binaries, TOML-based configuration, RCON administration, and support for multiple world storage formats give it a broad foundation for server management across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Its strongest differentiator is cross-platform and cross-edition coverage. Java and Bedrock support are combined with same-world cross-play, while Velocity and BungeeCord proxy forwarding support multi-server arrangements. The extension model is plugin-based rather than mod-loader-based. Plugins can use native or WebAssembly runtimes and can be developed in multiple programming languages, which gives technical teams more flexibility than a single-language plugin environment. Docker and Nix/NixOS deployment options also fit operators who prefer reproducible or containerized infrastructure.
Pumpkin is best suited to technically comfortable server owners evaluating an open-source platform with a wide feature range. The published product description places it in early development, under development, and not yet officially released, so teams seeking a mature production server should consider an alternative. It also does not provide mod-loader support, which limits its fit for communities built around mod-based gameplay rather than plugins. Choose Pumpkin for Java–Bedrock cross-play, self-hosting control, RCON, proxy integrations, and flexible plugin runtimes; look elsewhere if release readiness or mod-loader compatibility is a primary requirement.
Pumpkin pros and cons
- 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
Pumpkin fact sheet, pricing and score →
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