Which Minecraft server software should I choose: Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge or NeoForge?

Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge or NeoForge: the server software you pick decides what your Minecraft server can do. Do you want to run plugins, host a modpack, or just play smooth survival with friends? A wrong choice often only becomes obvious once your modpack refuses to start or your world gets damaged. This article explains the difference between plugin servers and mod servers, gives a concrete recommendation per goal and shows how to set the right server type in a few steps.

Plugin servers versus mod servers

Paper and Purpur are plugin servers. Plugins run on the server only, through the Bukkit/Spigot API, and players join with a regular vanilla client. Fabric, Forge and NeoForge are mod loaders: mods change the game code itself, which is why they almost always need to be installed on both the server and every player's client.

This is why plugins and mods cannot be mixed. A plugin jar in the plugins folder needs the Bukkit API that only Paper and Purpur provide; a mod jar in the mods folder needs a mod loader. A Paper server completely ignores the mods folder, and Forge or NeoForge cannot do anything with plugins. Hybrid servers that promise both do exist, but they are notorious for instability and strange bugs.

What about Spigot? Paper started as a fork of Spigot, but in 2026 it is far ahead: better tick performance, asynchronous chunk loading, much more configuration through config/paper-global.yml and paper-world-defaults.yml, and faster updates after every Minecraft release. Nearly all plugin developers now test primarily on Paper; there is hardly any reason left to pick Spigot.

Decision table: which software for which goal

Not sure? Check your modpack's page to see which loader and Minecraft version the creators specify, and follow that exactly.

Why NeoForge is the standard in 2026

NeoForge started in 2023 as a split from Forge, taking nearly the entire development team with it. From Minecraft 1.20.2 onwards most major mods and modpack creators switched over, and on 1.21 and newer, modern modpacks are developed almost exclusively for NeoForge. Forge remains important for older versions: legacy packs on 1.12.2, 1.16.5 or 1.18.2 only run on Forge. Rule of thumb: if the modpack page says NeoForge, pick NeoForge on your server as well — the Forge variant of the same version is not compatible.

Setting the server type in the panel

1. First create a full backup through the Backups tab. If you are switching software on an existing world, this is not optional but required — see how to create a backup.
2. Log in at panel.mc-node.net, open your server and go to the Startup tab.
3. In the startup variables, select the server type you want (Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge or NeoForge) and the matching Minecraft version. If the software you are looking for is not listed, open a support ticket.
4. Clean up leftovers through the Files tab: delete the old server jar and the plugins or mods folder that belonged to the previous software.
5. Restart the server through the Console tab. The first start after a switch takes longer because the new software downloads its libraries; follow the log until you see Done.

Also mind the Java version: Minecraft 1.20.5 and newer requires Java 21, while old Forge versions such as 1.12.2 need Java 8 instead. You can change it as described in the article about the Java version.

Common problems

• Forge or NeoForge modpack on a Paper server — the server seems to start normally, but as vanilla: Paper does not load mods, so your pack does nothing. Switch the server type to the loader the pack requires and install the pack's server files again.
• Switched software without a backup — if you open a modded world with Paper (or the other way around), all modded blocks and items are permanently removed from the world and chunks can become corrupted. Restore your backup right away through the Backups tab; without a backup this is usually irreversible.
• Players see “Incompatible FML/NeoForge server” — they are joining a mod server with a vanilla client. Everyone needs the same loader and mods, most easily through the modpack's official client profile.
• Jars are being ignored — there are plugins in mods or mods in plugins. Plugins belong in plugins on Paper and Purpur; mods belong in mods on Fabric, Forge and NeoForge.
• Crash with UnsupportedClassVersionError — the Java version does not match the Minecraft version. Check which version your software requires and adjust the Java version.

Building on from here

With the right server type in place, your foundation is done. Continue with installing a modpack, installing plugins or changing your Minecraft version. Stuck anyway? Open a ticket through our support page and mention which modpack or software you want to run — we are happy to think along.