Modded Minecraft servers: Fabric, NeoForge, Forge and Quilt
Updated · MCJarHub
A modded server runs a mod loader and mods from the mods/ folder. Content mods must also be installed on every player's client with the same loader, so the modpack you want decides the loader.
Mod loaders on MCJarHub (live data)
| Software | Latest release | Java | File size | Versions on MCJarHub | Download source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 26.3 | Java 25 | — | 70 (1.14_combat-0–26.3) | Official (FabricMC) |
| NeoForge | 26.3 | Java 25 | 3.5 MB | 22 (1.20.2–26.3) | Official (NeoForged) |
| Forge | 26.3 | Java 25 | 7.6 MB | 61 (1.5.2–26.3) | Official (MinecraftForge) |
| Quilt | 26.3 | Java 25 | 8.3 MB | 44 (1.14.4–26.3) | Official (QuiltMC) |
| SpongeVanilla | 26.3 | Java 25 | 8.2 MB | 39 (1.8.9–26.3) | Official (SpongePowered) |
SpongeVanilla is included for completeness: it runs Sponge plugins rather than mods.
The loaders in one paragraph each
Fabric is lightweight and updates quickly, often supporting snapshots within days. The server download is a small launcher that fetches the vanilla server on first start; most mods also need the Fabric API mod.
NeoForge is the continuation of Forge by most of its former team (since 2023) and the main loader for many large content modpacks on Minecraft 1.20.2 and newer. Servers are set up with the official installer (--installServer) and started with run.sh/run.bat.
Forge is the original mod loader with the biggest library for long-lived classic versions like 1.12.2, 1.16.5 and 1.20.1. Same installer flow; since Minecraft 1.17 memory settings go in user_jvm_args.txt.
Quilt is a community-governed fork of Fabric that loads most Fabric mods. It has no ready-made server jar: its installer sets the server up with install server <version> --download-server.
Running a modded server: what's different
- Clients must match. Content mods have to be installed on every player's client with the same loader and versions; server-side-only mods don't.
- More memory. Plan 6–10 GB for a typical modpack, more for large packs.
- Pin versions. Modpacks target one exact Minecraft and loader version; don't update the loader independently of the pack.
- No plugins. Bukkit plugins need a hybrid server.
Choosing a loader: Fabric vs Forge vs NeoForge. Java requirements per version: Minecraft → Java table.