Modded Server Guide

Modded Minecraft Server Hosting: Forge, Fabric and NeoForge

A modded Minecraft server hosts modpacks that change the game itself. The difference from a plugin server is simple: plugins run only on the server and players connect with vanilla Minecraft, whereas mods require every player to install the same set. That difference also drives what the server costs to run.

This guide covers where modded and plugin servers part ways, which loader to pick when, and how much memory a modded server actually needs.

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Modded or plugin server?

The decision comes down to one question: do you want to change the rules of the game, or add capabilities to the server?

New blocks, new mobs, new machines, tech or magic systems mean mods — and your friends have to install them too. Protection regions, economy, leaderboards, land claims and player management mean plugins are enough; nobody installs anything client-side and everyone joins with standard Minecraft.

In practice most community servers start with plugins, while modpacks suit small, stable groups of friends. If you can't decide, plugins are the lower-friction start; you can change the server software later from the panel.

Which loader: Forge, Fabric, NeoForge, Quilt

The panel offers four mod loaders. Usually the modpack picks for you — a pack works with the loader it was written for.

Forge — the most established ecosystem; most large and older packs target it.
NeoForge — the continuation of the Forge line; increasingly common on newer versions.
Fabric — lightweight and fast; usually first to support new Minecraft releases.
Quilt — an alternative loader from the same lineage as Fabric.
The modpack's page states which loader and Minecraft version it needs; pick the same in the panel.

How much RAM does a modded server need?

Mods consume noticeably more memory than plugins. A pack loads hundreds of new block, item and machine definitions, and all of it stays in memory while the server runs. That is why mod and modpack installs unlock from the 8 GB package upward here; on 2 and 4 GB you can run plugins but not mods.

This is a guardrail, not an upsell: a modded server started with too little memory either stalls or shuts down the first time it fills up, and world files can be damaged in the process. Setting the limit up front beats rescuing a collapsed server later.

Needs grow with mod count. A small, curated set runs comfortably on 8 GB; with very large packs, performance depends on both mod count and player count. You can stop the server and resize the package up or down — your world stays as it was.

How to install a modpack

Setting up a modded server from the panel takes a few steps:

In the setup wizard, choose a package with mod support (8 GB or above).
Select the loader and Minecraft version the pack requires as your server software.
Upload mod files through the panel's file manager, or install them from the store.
Start the server and watch the first boot in the console — the log streams live while mods load.
Tell your friends to install the same mod set and the same Minecraft version; the address is in the panel.

Three common mistakes on modded servers

Version mismatch: if the pack targets 1.20.1, both the server and the players must be on 1.20.1. This is the number one reason a server won't start.
Forgetting the client side: you cannot join a modded server with vanilla Minecraft. Everyone needs the same mod set.
Expecting cross-play: Bedrock players (phone / Windows 10-11) cannot join a modded server — the bridge only works on plugin-family software.

Why cross-play doesn't work on modded servers

Java and Bedrock are two different games; the bridge between them is a plugin installed on the server. That plugin runs only on plugin-family server software (Paper and its relatives) — not on mod loaders.

So if friends will join from a phone, a modded server is not the right choice. In that case set up a plugin server and enable the cross-play bridge; the requirements are covered in a separate guide.

Modded server vs plugin server

	Plugin server	Modded server
What players install	Nothing	The same mod set
Rules of the game	Unchanged	Changed (new blocks/items/systems)
Memory need	Low	Noticeably higher
Minimum package	2 GB	8 GB
Bedrock (phone / Windows 10-11)	Can join on a suitable setup	Cannot join

Modded server FAQ

Which package do I need for a modded server?

Mod and modpack installs unlock from the 8 GB package upward. On 2 and 4 GB you can install plugins but not mods. A small, curated mod set runs comfortably on 8 GB; with very large packs the need grows with mod and player count.

Do my friends need to install mods too?

Yes. To join a modded server, players need the same mod set and the same Minecraft version. If you'd rather nobody installed anything, a plugin server is the better fit.

Can I change the server software later?

Yes. Stop the server and pick different software from the panel — you can move from plugins to a mod loader, for example. Changing software replaces the content set, so taking a backup first is a good habit.

Can people play from a phone on a modded server?

No. The Java + Bedrock cross-play bridge only works on plugin-family server software (Paper and its relatives), not on mod loaders. If you have players joining from a phone or the Windows 10/11 edition, set up a plugin server.

Is a modded server more expensive?

The price comes from the resources you choose, not from installing mods. Because mods want more memory you pick a larger package and are billed accordingly. Billing is still hourly, and nothing is charged while the server is off.

Set up your modded server

Pick a package with mod support, choose your loader and start within minutes.

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