Minecraft Servers Wiki
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Java Edition server software allows for Java Edition players to play on multiplayer servers. Official Java Edition server software includes Realms, with unofficial software being plenteous. Some unofficial server software can be found below.

Official Server Software

With every release, Mojang releases official server software. This is always available with every major release and snapshot.

Name Main Developer(s) Latest supported JE version Programming Language
Java Server Mojang Studios Latest Java

Plugins

Some un-official software allows you to run plugins natively in the game. These plugins and the software used to run them are not run or maintained by Mojang Studios.

Name Main Developer(s) Latest supported JE version Programming Language Remarks
Spigot md_5 1.16.5 Java Spigot is the continuation of CraftBukkit that is actively maintained and adds more functionality for plugin developers as well as server fixes and configurations.
Paper Aikar 1.16.5 Java Paper is a fork of Spigot with a focus on performance enhancements. It also provides even more API for plugin developers and expose more server settings.
Tuinity SpottedLeaf 1.16.5 Java Tuinity is a fork of Paper that aims to be more optimized for high player count servers.
SpongeVanilla Sponge 1.12.2 Java A server implementing the Sponge API, a different plugin API separate from the Bukkit API used by the above three. This implementation also includes some general improvements regarding performance and server settings.
CraftBukkit SpigotMC, Formerly The Bukkit Project 1.16.5 Java CraftBukkit added Plugin support to Minecraft and exposed some additional server settings. After it was abandoned by the BukkitDev team, SpigotMC took up development of it, to keep it up to date with the latest versions.
Purpur BillyGalbreath 1.16.5 Java Purpur is a fork of Paper and Tuinity with the goal of providing new and interesting configuration options, which allow for creating a unique gameplay experience not seen anywhere else.
Yatopia YatopiaMC 1.16.5 Java Yatopia is a fork which combines the code from many Paper forks and optimization mods, as well as many unique optimizations.

Modded

Some un-official software allows you to run modded versions of the game. These mods and the software used to run them are not run or maintained by Mojang Studios.

Name Main Developer(s) Latest supported JE version Programming Language Remarks
Forge Forge 1.16.5 Java Forge is a server software based on the MCP. Both the server and client need to be running the mods.
Fabric Fabric 21w11a Java Fabric, unlike Forge, is not based on the MCP. This allows it to be updated for snapshots easier. It is incompatible with Forge.

Plugins + Mods

Some un-official software allows you to run modded versions of the game as well as plugins. These mods, plugins and the software used to run them are not run or maintained by Mojang Studios.

Name Main Developer(s) Latest supported JE version Programming Language Remarks
SpongeForge Sponge 1.12.2 Java SpongeForge allows both SpongeVanila plugins as well as Forge mods on one server.
Magma Haxception 1.12.2 (1.16.5?) Java Minecraft Forge Hybrid server implementing the Spigot/Bukkit API (Cauldron for 1.12)
Mohist Mohist Community 1.16.5 Java Minecraft Forge Hybrid server implementing the Paper/Spigot/Bukkit API(1.12.2/1.16), formerly known as Thermos/Kettle/Cauldron/MCPC+
Arclight IzzelAliz 1.16.5 Java A Minecraft Bukkit(1.15/1.16) server implementation on Forge using Mixin
CatServer Luohuayu 1.12.2 Java A Minecraft 1.12.2 Forge+Bukkit+Spigot Hybrid server supporting most mods and plugins to run stably

Proxies

Some un-official software allows you to chain multiple servers together behind a proxy. This allows you to switch servers without actually leaving.

Name Main Developer(s) Supported JE version(s) Programming Language Remarks
Bungeecord SpigotMC 1.8 through 1.16.4 Java Bungeecord is a simple proxy software that allows you to switch servers.
Waterfall PaperMC 1.8 through 1.16.4 Java Waterfall is a fork of Bungeecord with better support for Forge.
Travertine PaperMC 1.7 through 1.16.4 Java Travertine is a fork of Waterfall with 1.7 support.
Velocity Velocity 1.7.2 through 1.16.5 Java Velocity is an independent software with added security.

Protocol Translators

Some un-official software allows you to connect to Bedrock edition servers from Java Edition or vice versa.

Name Main Developer(s) Supported JE version(s) Programming Language Remarks
BigBrother BigBrotherTeam, Shoghi Cervantes (Formerly) 1.12.2 and 1.16.4 PHP Requires PocketMine-MP Server software which supports Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and allows you to join from Java Edition
GeyserMC GeyserMC 1.16.5 Java Lets you join Java servers from a bedrock device. Available as a BungeeCord, Spigot, Sponge, or Velocity plugin or standalone to join any java server.

See Also

Minecraft Coalition server software list

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