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Fabric vs Forge vs NeoForge: which one?

The difference between the mod loaders, and when Paper with plugins is the better pick.

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Updated 1 November 2026

To use mods on your Minecraft server you need a mod loader: Fabric, Forge or NeoForge. They all do the same job (loading mods), but a mod only works on the loader it was made for. Here's how to choose, and when Paper is the better pick.

First: mods or plugins?

Plugins (on Paper) run only on the server. Your players don't need to install anything: they join with normal Minecraft. Great for minigames, economy, land claims and server management.

Mods (on Fabric, Forge or NeoForge) add new blocks, items, creatures and worlds. For that, every player needs the same loader and the same mods on their own PC.

Want friends to join right away without installing anything? Choose Paper with plugins. See Install Minecraft plugins.

The three mod loaders

  • Fabric: lightweight and quickly updated for new Minecraft versions. Lots of small mods and performance mods. Almost every Fabric mod also needs the Fabric API mod.
  • Forge: the oldest of the three, with the biggest library of mods and modpacks for older versions such as 1.12.2, 1.16.5 and 1.20.1.
  • NeoForge: split off from Forge in 2023 by a large part of the Forge team. For newer versions, many big mods and modpacks have moved to NeoForge.

Choose in one minute

  1. Already know which mod or modpack you want? Check that mod's page on Modrinth or CurseForge. Every version lists its loader and Minecraft version. Pick that loader. Done.
  2. Several mods? Pick the loader and Minecraft version that all your mods support. You can't mix mods for different loaders.
  3. No idea yet? On the newest Minecraft version, start with Fabric (light and quickly updated). Want big tech or magic mods? Check what NeoForge has for your version first.

Switching in SparkPanel

At ServerSpark you switch yourself, without uploading files:

  1. In SparkPanel, click Stop.
  2. Go to Settings → Server software and choose Fabric, Forge or NeoForge.
  3. Enter the Minecraft version (latest or for example 1.20.1).
  4. Under World, choose what to do with your world, tick the confirmation and click Switch.
  5. Then put your mods in the mods folder under Files and start the server.
A world made on Paper often doesn't open on a mod loader. Choose start a fresh world: your old world is kept under a new name, so you can always go back. Want a complete modpack? Read Make a Minecraft modpack server. Choosing a plan for your mods? See Minecraft server with mods.

Frequently asked questions

Which one uses the least memory? Usually Fabric, because Fabric mods tend to be smaller. In the end, the number of mods and players decides most of the memory you need.

Can I use plugins and mods together? Not on the same server at ServerSpark. Pick what matters most to you: plugins (Paper) or mods (a mod loader).

My friend gets an error about mods. Then they don't have exactly the same loader, Minecraft version or mods as the server. Have them install the same versions.