Fabric, NeoForge, Paper, or Spigot: Which One to Pick
Every platform in the Creator Hub dropdown in one line each, how to match the version your server runs, and what to choose when you're starting from nothing.
Two dropdowns in Creator Hub decide whether your build will even load: Platform and Version. Get them wrong and the mod is fine but the game refuses it. This is the short version of what each option is and how to choose.
#Rule one: match what you already run
If you have a server, open its panel or startup log and read two things: the loader (Paper, Fabric, NeoForge...) and the Minecraft version (1.21.1, 26.2...). Pick exactly those.
If you're building for friends, use whatever their launcher profile runs.
If you're playing alone or starting a fresh server, skip to the last section.
#Every platform in one line
| Platform | What it is | Makes |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Light, fast to update to new Minecraft versions, the default for most new mods | Mods |
| NeoForge | The continuation of Forge for current versions, huge ecosystem of big mods | Mods |
| Forge | The original, for older versions that never moved to NeoForge | Mods |
| Ornithe (Retro) | For much older versions of the game | Mods |
| Paper | The fastest plugin server, runs Spigot plugins too | Plugins |
| Spigot | The classic plugin server | Plugins |
| Bedrock Edition | Add-ons for phones, consoles, and Windows Bedrock | Behavior and resource packs |
| Data Pack | Vanilla-only tweaks, no loader needed | Data packs |
| Cobblemon (Fabric or NeoForge) | Add-ons for Cobblemon servers and packs | Both-side mods |
| Pixelmon (NeoForge) | Add-ons for Pixelmon | Both-side mods |
If you're choosing between a mod and a plugin at all, read Mod or plugin first. That question comes before this one.
#Versions
Mods are built for one Minecraft version. A mod built for 1.20.1 will not run on 1.21, and a 26.1 mod will not run on 26.2. Plugins are more forgiving across nearby versions, but "usually works" is not "works", so match anyway.
The Version dropdown only shows versions the studio supports for the platform you picked. If the version you need isn't listed, the studio can't build for it yet.
Newest isn't always right
Big modpacks and public servers often sit on an older version on purpose because the mods they depend on haven't updated. Match the pack, not the launcher's latest.
#Loaders don't mix
- A Fabric mod does not load on NeoForge, and vice versa.
- Neither loads on Paper or Spigot. Those run plugins only.
- Fabric mods almost always need Fabric API installed next to them. It's a separate download from Modrinth or CurseForge.
- Cobblemon and Pixelmon add-ons need the base mod installed on the server and on every client.
#Starting from nothing
Pick by what you're doing:
- Playing alone or with friends who'll install whatever you send. Fabric, on the newest version in the dropdown. Environment Both if you're adding content.
- Running a server people join without installing anything. Paper, on the version your host offers. Paper runs Spigot plugins, so you lose nothing.
- Building for a Cobblemon or Pixelmon server. Their loader, on the version the server runs.
- Playing on a phone, console, or Windows Bedrock. Bedrock Edition.
- You just want a recipe or loot change on a vanilla server. Data Pack.
Before you generate
Build it yourself
Turn an idea into a working Minecraft mod
Describe it in plain English. Download the build. Drop it in your mods folder. No coding.
Start building