Best Sponge Alternatives in 2026
The top Sponge alternatives are Pumpkin, Paper and Arclight: 15 minecraft server software our editors would look at instead of Sponge, in our ranking order.
Sponge: A flexible Java server platform for plugins, mods, permissions, and administration. Where it falls short: supports minecraft: java edition rather than crossplay.
Switching from Sponge? For most minecraft server software buyers the best Sponge alternative is Pumpkin, built for cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers.
Why People Look for a Sponge Alternative
- Supports Minecraft: Java Edition rather than crossplay
- Requires self-hosted server deployment
- Support is provided through community resources and documentation
- No java–Bedrock cross-play — 2 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallPumpkin9.4
Cross-platform Java and Bedrock servers
Visit Pumpkin - Best free optionPumpkin9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Pumpkin - Best for java–bedrock cross-playPumpkin9.4
Java–Bedrock cross-play (Sponge: no)
Visit Pumpkin
All 15 Sponge Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forCross-platform Java and Bedrock servers
- Better than Sponge:
- Java–Bedrock cross-play
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.3
A broad, free server option for cross-play worlds, plugins, and self-hosted deployment.
- Java–Bedrock cross-play
- RCON support
- Plugin API
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Pumpkin -
Best forMost Java server operators
- Better than Sponge:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.3
A free, self-hosted Java server with strong performance work and plugin compatibility.
- RCON support
- Plugin API
9.2/10★★★★★Visit PaperMC -
Best forServers combining mods and plugins
- Better than Sponge:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.3
A free, open-source Java server implementation for combining mods and plugins.
- Mod loader support
- Plugin API
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Arclight -
Best forMature cross-platform Java servers
- Better than Sponge:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.3
A free, open-source choice for configurable, self-hosted Java servers.
- RCON support
- Plugin API
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Cuberite -
Best forForge servers combining mods and plugins
A free, open-source Java server for combining Forge mods with Bukkit or Spigot plugins.
- Mod loader support
- Plugin API
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Mohist -
Best forMod-focused Java server builders
A free, open-source toolchain for running and developing Fabric-compatible Java mods.
- Mod loader support
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Fabric -
Best forEstablished Minecraft modded servers
A free, self-hosted Forge stack for established Java modded servers.
- Mod loader support
8.0/10★★★★☆Try Minecraft Forge -
Best forModpacks and NeoForge development
A focused Java Edition foundation for modpacks, servers, and NeoForge mod development.
- Mod loader support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit NeoForge -
Best forHighly configurable Paper-compatible servers
A configurable, Paper-compatible server foundation for plugin-focused Minecraft communities.
- Plugin API
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Purpur -
Best forPerformance-focused Paper plugin servers
A free, open-source Java server platform for performance-focused Paper plugin setups.
- Plugin API
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Leaf -
Best forPerformance-focused Paper-compatible servers
- Better than Sponge:
- Java–Bedrock cross-play
A free, open-source Java server jar for performance-focused Paper-compatible deployments.
- Java–Bedrock cross-play
- Plugin API
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Pufferfish -
Best forBedrock servers needing plugin APIs
A free, open-source Bedrock server base for extensible Python and C++ plugins.
- Plugin API
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Endstone -
Best forBedrock servers needing plugins and packs
A free, extensible Bedrock server option with a major long-term update limitation.
- Plugin API
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit PocketMine-MP -
Best forSpecialized high-concurrency Java servers
A specialized Java server fork for parallel region ticking, with demanding plugin compatibility requirements.
- RCON support
- Plugin API
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit PaperMC -
Best forPaper operators seeking optimized execution
A drop-in Paper replacement for operators prioritizing optimized Java server execution.
- Plugin API
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit GaleMC
Sponge Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Sponge?
Pumpkin: #1 in our Minecraft Server Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad, free server option for cross-play worlds, plugins, and self-hosted deployment.
Is there a free alternative to Sponge?
Yes. Pumpkin, Paper, Arclight, Cuberite and Mohist have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Sponge alternatives?
Supports Minecraft: Java Edition rather than crossplay; Requires self-hosted server deployment; Support is provided through community resources and documentation.
How do I switch from Sponge?
Back up your world, configs and mods from Sponge's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP. Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one). Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load. Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel Sponge after a test session.
How to Switch from Sponge
- Back up your world, configs and mods from Sponge's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP.
- Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one).
- Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load.
- Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel Sponge after a test session.
Sponge vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Edition support | Extension model | Mod loader support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Sponge | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 1 | Pumpkin | Yes | Free | Both | Plugins | No | 9.4 |
| 2 | Paper | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | No | 9.2 |
| 3 | Arclight | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | Cuberite | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | 8.5 | |
| 5 | Mohist | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins_and_mods | Yes | 8.2 |
| 6 | Fabric | Yes | Free | Java | Mods | Yes | 8.1 |
| 7 | Minecraft Forge | Yes | Free | Java | Mods | Yes | 8.0 |
| 8 | NeoForge | Yes | Free | Java | Mods | Yes | 7.9 |
| 9 | Purpur | Free | Plugins | 7.8 | |||
| 10 | Leaf | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | 7.7 | |
| 11 | Pufferfish | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | No | 7.6 |
| 12 | Endstone | Yes | Free | Bedrock | Plugins | 7.5 | |
| 13 | PocketMine-MP | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | 7.4 | |
| 14 | Folia | Yes | Free | Java | Plugins | 7.3 | |
| 15 | Gale | Free | Java | Plugins | 7.2 |
Head-to-Head
- Sponge vs Pumpkin
- Sponge vs Paper
- Sponge vs Arclight
- Sponge vs Cuberite
- Sponge vs Mohist
- Sponge vs Fabric
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update