# Paper, Purpur, Fabric or Forge? Choosing your Minecraft server software

> A comparison of the most popular Minecraft server software. When to go with plugins, when with mods, and how to decide for your project.

- URL: https://noveric.cc/en/blog/paper-vs-purpur-vs-fabric-vs-forge/
- Published: 2026-09-15
- Category: Guides
- Author: The Noveric team

There isn’t just one Minecraft server. There’s a whole range of server “cores” that differ in performance, compatibility and whether they support **plugins** or **mods**. Let’s go through them.

## Plugins vs. mods – the key difference

- **Plugins** run only on the server. Players join with a normal client. Ideal for survival, minigames, economies and land claims.
- **Mods** change the game itself – adding blocks, items and dimensions. Players need the same mods installed (usually via a modpack).

## Paper – the gold standard for plugins

[Paper](https://papermc.io/) is the most widely used server software. It’s compatible with Bukkit/Spigot plugins and includes hundreds of optimisations and fixes.

**Best for:** most community servers, survival, minigames, networks.

## Purpur – Paper with extra settings

Purpur is based on Paper and adds lots of configurable gameplay options (riding mobs, mechanic tweaks and so on). Performance is similar to Paper.

**Best for:** servers that want to fine-tune gameplay without writing their own plugins.

## Fabric – lightweight, modern modding

Fabric is a lightweight modding framework that updates quickly to new game versions. Besides content mods, it’s popular for **performance mods** like Lithium or FerriteCore.

**Best for:** technical servers, light modpacks, servers on the latest version.

## Forge and NeoForge – big modpacks

Forge has historically been the most widespread modding platform and powers a huge number of modpacks. NeoForge is its modern continuation, and many mods and modpacks for newer versions are moving to it.

**Best for:** big modpacks (All the Mods, tech and magic packs).

## Velocity and BungeeCord – server networks

If you want to connect several servers (lobby, survival, minigames), you need a **proxy**. The modern choice is **Velocity**; BungeeCord is older but still in use.

## Quick decision

| I want… | Choose |
| --- | --- |
| Survival with plugins for friends or a community | Paper |
| To tweak game mechanics without programming | Purpur |
| Light mods and the latest version | Fabric |
| A big modpack | NeoForge / Forge |
| A network of several servers | Velocity + Paper |
| Mobile and console players | Paper + Geyser |

## One click on Noveric

In our control panel you choose the server software and version in one click, and you can switch later – the panel takes a backup before any change. Modpacks from CurseForge, Modrinth and FTB install straight from search.

Check out [Minecraft hosting](/en/minecraft-hosting/) and pick a plan for what you want to run.