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…
Warning: Some of this information might be outdated
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 version | Programming Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java Server | Mojang Studios | Latest | Java |
Plugins[]
Some unofficial 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 | 1.20.1 | 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 | PaperMC | 1.20.1 | 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 | 1.17.1 | Java | Tuinity is a fork of Paper that aims to be more optimized for high player count servers. Tuinity merged into paper in August 2021, and is now discontinued. |
| Airplane | Technové | 1.17 | Airplane is also a fork of Paper that aims to optimize performance by reducing entity behaviour, among other features | |
| Glowstone | Glowstone project | 1.12.2,
1.19 (in-dev) |
Java | Glowstone is a completely open source Minecraft server that doesn't rely on any of Mojang's code - meaning we're free to change it however we want. It is fully compatible with Bukkit API natively and with Sponge API through Bukkit2Sponge |
| SpongeVanilla | Sponge | 1.16.5 and
1.20.1 (Experimental) |
Java | A server implementing the Sponge API, a different plugin API separate from the Bukkit API used by the other plugin softwares. This implementation also includes some general improvements regarding performance and server settings. |
| CraftBukkit | SpigotMC, Formerly The Bukkit Project | 1.20.1 | 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. CraftBukkit is no longer officially supported by the SpigotMC team and not built by default when using BuildTools. |
| Purpur | BillyGalbreath | 1.20.1 | Java | Purpur is a drop-in replacement for Paper servers designed for configurability, new fun and exciting gameplay features, and high performance built on top of Paper and Airplane. |
| Pufferfish | Pufferfish Studios LLC | 1.20.1 | Java | Pufferfish is a Paper fork designed for large servers requiring both maximum performance, stability, and "enterprise" features. It also contains some of Airplanes patches |
| Valence | rj00a, dyc3 | early development | Rust | Valence is a Minecraft server software that aims to be complete, flexible, modular, intuitive, efficient and up-to-date |
| minecraft | thecodeboss | 1.12.2 (protocol implementation is 84% complete) | Elixir | A Minecraft server implementation in Elixir |
| McEx | hansihe, Gjum | 1.9.2 | Elixir, Rust | A Minecraft server written in Elixir and Rust that is made with distribution in mind. It will take advantage of all cores on the machine by default. In the future it should be possible to offload the computationally heavy parts (like chunk generation, chunk servers, even anticheat) to other machines, while keeping the core parts that require more swift communication on a single machine. |
Modded[]
Some unofficial 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 | 1.20.1 | Java | Forge is a server software based on the MCP. Both the server and client need to be running the mods. As of 18/11/21, Forge does not supports mixins. |
| Fabric | Fabric | 1.20.1 | Java | Fabric, unlike Forge, is not based on the MCP. This allows it to be updated for snapshots easier. Fabric is incompatible with forge, and vice versa. |
Plugins + Mods[]
Some unofficial 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 | 1.16.5 | Java | SpongeForge allows both SpongeVanila plugins as well as Forge mods on one server. |
| Magma | Hexception | 1.19.3 and 1.20.1 (in development) | Java | Minecraft Forge Hybrid server implementing the Spigot/Bukkit API (Cauldron for 1.12) |
| Mohist | Mohist Community | 1.19.4 and 1.20.1 (Experimental) | Java | Minecraft Forge Hybrid server implementing the Paper/Spigot/Bukkit API, formerly known as Thermos/Kettle/Cauldron/MCPC+ |
| Arclight | IzzelAliz | 1.20.1 | Java | A Minecraft Bukkit server implementation on Forge using Mixin |
| Cardboard | pisaiah | Fabric 1.20.1
Fabric 1.19.4 Fabric 1.19.2 Fabric 1.18.2 |
Java | Cardboard is an implementation of the popular Bukkit/Spigot/Paper Modding API for FabricMC. This mod lets you use plugins that are made for Bukkit and it's derivatives (Spigot & Paper) on a Fabric modded server. |
| CatServer | Luohuayu | 1.18.2 | Java | A Minecraft Forge+Bukkit+Spigot Hybrid server supporting most mods and plugins to run stably |
| Crucible | CrucibleMC | 1.7.10 | Java | Crucible is a Thermos with several improvements. It aims to close the gaps left by Thermos and extend the support for those still on 1.7.10 by adding support for long broken mods and plugins and fix serious bugs as they appear. |
Proxies[]
Some unofficial 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 1.20 | Java | Bungeecord is a simple proxy software that allows you to switch servers. |
| Waterfall | PaperMC | 1.8 through 1.20 | Java | Waterfall is a fork of BungeeCord that aims to improve performance and stability as well as provide better support for Forge. |
| Travertine | PaperMC | 1.7 through 1.17 | Java | Travertine was a fork of Waterfall with 1.7 support. It has since been discontinued in favor of Velocity. |
| Velocity | PaperMC | 1.7.2 through 1.20.1 | Java | Velocity is an independent proxy software with added security. |
Protocol Translators[]
Some unofficial 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 | 1.20.1 | Java | Lets you join Java servers from a bedrock device. Available as a BungeeCord, Spigot, Sponge, Velocity plugin, Fabric Mod, or standalone to join any java server. |
| TunnelMC | THEREALWWEFAN | 1.16.5 | Java | Lets you join bedrock servers from a Java client. This is a Fabric mod to join any bedrock server.
NOTE: IT IS STILL IN EARLY DEVELOPMENT |