Choosing the right server software directly determines your server's performance and which content (plugins/mods) you can run. When you create a server in the ArcadeServers panel you get 9 software options; this guide clarifies which one fits you in 2 minutes.
Plugin side: Vanilla, Spigot, Paper, Purpur
Vanilla is Mojang's original server; it accepts no plugins or mods. Good for small groups who want the pure experience, but it has no performance optimizations.
Spigot extends the Bukkit API to add plugin support. It is compatible with thousands of Spigot plugins, but its performance improvements are limited.
Paper is built on top of Spigot and is the industry's de-facto standard. It brings major gains in chunk loading, entity handling and multi-core usage, and is backward compatible with Spigot plugins. For busy, plugin-heavy servers, Paper is our first choice.
Purpur is a fork of Paper offering hundreds of extra settings. Ideal for those who want experimental features and fine-tuning; compatible with Paper plugins.
Mod side: Fabric, Forge, NeoForge
Fabric is a lightweight, fast mod loader and the ecosystem that adapts fastest to new versions. Combined with performance mods (Lithium, Starlight) it runs very smoothly.
Forge and NeoForge are the established loaders most big modpacks run on. Required for tech/industry mods and huge modpacks; RAM needs are higher than Fabric.
Quick decision table
- Just vanilla with friends: Vanilla or Paper (Paper is more stable)
- Plugin survival/minigame server: Paper (or Purpur for fine-tuning)
- Playing a modpack: Fabric (light) or Forge/NeoForge (big packs)
- Large network (proxy): Paper backends + a BungeeCord/Velocity proxy
You can change the software anytime in the panel; before switching, your current profile is backed up automatically so your world and settings stay safe. As your RAM needs grow, you can upgrade your package with one click too.