Paper vs Forge vs Vanilla vs Sponge: which Minecraft server to pick
Compare the Minecraft Java templates on Schokr (Paper, Forge, Vanilla, Sponge) and pick the right one for plugins, mods or a pure vanilla game.
Updated · 2 min read
Pick Paper if you want plugins and good performance, Forge if you want mods, Vanilla if you want the official server with nothing changed, and Sponge only if you specifically need Sponge plugins. All four are available as templates when you create a server on Schokr.
Quick comparison
| Template | Best for | Plugins | Mods | Players need mods? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Most survival and community servers | Yes (Bukkit, Spigot, Paper plugins) | No | No |
| Forge | Modded gameplay and modpacks | No | Yes (Forge mods) | Yes, matching mods |
| Vanilla | Pure Mojang experience | No | No | No |
| Sponge | Servers built around Sponge plugins | Yes (Sponge plugins only) | Depends on the variant | Usually no |
Paper
Paper is a high-performance fork of Spigot. It runs the huge library of Bukkit and Spigot plugins (EssentialsX, LuckPerms, WorldEdit and so on), fixes many vanilla bugs and exploits, and generally handles more players on the same memory than vanilla. Players join with an unmodified client.
Things to know:
- Paper stores the Nether and End in separate folders (
world_nether,world_the_end). See Nether and End folders on Paper vs Vanilla. - A few technical redstone and farm mechanics behave differently because Paper fixes certain exploits. Most of these can be toggled in Paper's config files. See the Paper documentation.
Forge
Forge loads mods that add new blocks, items, mobs and dimensions. Every player must install Forge and the same mods (with matching versions) on their client. Modded servers usually need more memory than plugin servers.
Vanilla
Vanilla is the official server jar from Mojang. Nothing is changed, which makes it ideal if you care about exact vanilla mechanics, such as technical redstone builds. It has no plugin support and is less optimized than Paper, though data packs work on every option here.
Sponge
Sponge is a plugin platform with its own API. Bukkit and Spigot plugins do not run on Sponge, and its plugin ecosystem is much smaller. Choose it only if a plugin you need is Sponge-only.
What about BungeeCord?
BungeeCord is also in the template list, but it is a proxy that links several backend servers together, not a game server on its own. You only need it for a network with multiple servers.
Can I switch later?
Usually yes, but plan it:
- Vanilla to Paper works well. Paper can load a vanilla world, though it splits the Nether and End into their own folders.
- Paper to Vanilla works if you move the Nether and End data back into the main world folder.
- Anything to Forge or back is risky. Modded blocks disappear when the mods are removed, and worlds can be damaged.
Always take a backup before switching. See back up your Minecraft world.