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Which Minecraft Server Should I Choose: Vanilla, Spigot, or Paper?

Which Minecraft Server Should I Choose: Vanilla, Spigot, or Paper?

MinecraftServers
5 min read

POV: You're setting up a Vanilla Minecraft server for your friends on a hosting provider and you're faced with this choice: Paper, Spigot, or regular Vanilla? (and more What is this Purpur?!)

Or maybe you're setting up your own server. Should you go through the extra work to set up these more advanced Vanilla Minecraft servers?

Each server type offers distinct advantages and fits different needs, whether you're looking for a quick and easy Minecraft server setup experience or seeking enhanced performance and customization. Let's break down the key differences to help you make the best choice for your server.

To be clear, these are all considered "Vanilla" in the sense that you can generally connect to Spigot and Paper servers with a regular Vanilla client, but there are some exceptions when additional modifications or plugins are involved.

Vanilla Minecraft Server

The classic server type for Minecraft purists, Vanilla servers are straight from Mojang and offer the Minecraft experience as it was originally designed.

Pros:

  • Pure Minecraft Experience: Enjoy Minecraft exactly as it was intended, without modifications.
  • Ease of Setup: Setting up a Vanilla server is straightforward—ideal for beginners.
  • Immediate Updates: Receive updates and new features as soon as they are released by Mojang.

Cons:

  • Limited Performance: May struggle under heavy player loads or extensive automation and redstone use.
  • No Customization: You cannot add plugins or mods that change gameplay features.

Spigot

A step up from Vanilla, Spigot enhances server performance and allows the use of plugins.

Pros:

  • Better Performance: Optimized to handle more players with less lag.
  • Plugin Support: Access a vast library of plugins to modify gameplay and add new features.
  • Community Support: A large community for troubleshooting and plugin development.

Cons:

  • Slight Learning Curve: Requires some technical knowledge to manage effectively.
  • Update Delay: May lag behind Vanilla updates due to additional development requirements.

Paper

An improvement on Spigot, Paper pushes performance optimizations even further and adds unique tweaks.

Pros:

  • Enhanced Performance: Even better handling of large player counts and server load.
  • Additional Features: Includes more configuration options and fixes.
  • Plugin Compatibility: Supports most Spigot plugins while offering new capabilities.

Cons:

  • Specific Configurations: More settings to manage which might be overwhelming for some.

Purpur

Purpur builds on Paper with even more features for customization, making it ideal for server admins who want to fine-tune every aspect.

Pros:

  • Extreme Customization: Extends configuration options for every part of the game.
  • Cutting-edge Updates: Often includes experimental features ahead of other server types.

Cons:

  • Complexity: Might be too complex for those new to server management.

Fabric and Forge

For those looking to radically alter the Minecraft experience with mods, Fabric and Forge are generally the preferred choices. We cover this in another post How to get started with Modded Minecraft, but just keep in mind that you cannot run a Vanilla client on either of these types of servers.

So What Do I Choose??

Choosing the right Minecraft server setup depends on your specific needs:

  • Go with Vanilla if simplicity and a pure Minecraft experience are your priorities.
  • Opt for Spigot or Paper if you need enhanced performance and enjoy the flexibility of plugins.
  • Choose Purpur for the ultimate in server customization and experimental features.
  • Select Fabric or Forge if you want to transform gameplay with mods.

Let's say this another way... if you're setting up your own server and prioritize a quick start with minimal complexity, Vanilla is an fine choice, especially if you don't need additional features or enhanced performance, like you're playing on your LAN with a friend or two and maybe your little sister. She's always getting involved.

However, if you're setting up a server on a host, or for potentially many players, it might be worth going through the trouble of going outside of the norm.

If you're hosting with a Minecraft hosting provider that offers these server options as a simple selection, Paper is a no-brainer due to its superior performance and additional features, even if you don't use them. Paper powers some of the biggest most powerful servers in the world.

However, you might still consider Spigot over Paper if:

  • Plugin Compatibility: You rely on specific plugins that only work reliably on Spigot.
  • Familiarity and Community Support: You prefer to stick with a server setup that you are already familiar with, leveraging Spigot’s extensive resources and community support.
  • Update Preferences: You wish to upgrade to the latest Minecraft features supported by Spigot sooner than Paper updates.
  • Simplicity: If your server is running smoothly with Spigot and doesn't require the additional performance enhancements from Paper, there may be no need to switch.

By understanding the strengths and limitations of each server type, you can select the best platform to provide an enjoyable experience for all your players. Whether you opt for the simplicity of Vanilla, the enhanced capabilities of Spigot, or the top-tier performance of Paper, your Minecraft server can be tailored to meet your specific needs.