PaperMC AlternativesMinecraft Servers and other similar apps like PaperMC

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   Anvil-MC (ARM-MC)

    Like

   Launch high-performance RUST-based Minecraft servers directly from your mobile device with full control and no port-forwarding.

   11 Anvil-MC (ARM-MC) alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Proprietary

   Application type

   • Minecraft Server

   Origin

   • Netherlands
   • EU

   Since

   • Since 2026

   Platforms

   • Android
   • Android Tablet

   • Netherlands
   • EU

   

   

   

   More about Anvil-MC (ARM-MC)  

   

   Good alternative?Is Anvil-MC (ARM-MC) a good alternative to PaperMC?

    
2. 

   

   Glowstone

    7 likes

   Glowstone is a lightweight, from scratch, open source Minecraft server written in Java that supports plugins written for the Spigot (and Bukkit) API.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Minecraft Server

   Origin

   • Netherlands
   • EU

   Since

   • Since 2014

   Alerts

   • Discontinued

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Minecraft Server
   • Minecraft

   • Netherlands
   • EU

   

   

   More about Glowstone  

   

   Good alternative?Is Glowstone a good alternative to PaperMC?

    
4. 

   

   Sponge

    4 likes

   The purpose of the Sponge project is to create a plugin development framework for Minecraft. Sponge is being created by a global community, and its open-source nature means anyone can participate.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Minecraft Server

   Since

   • Since 2014

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Minecraft Server
   • Minecraft

   

   Good alternative?Is Sponge a good alternative to PaperMC?

    
5. 

   

   Void Proxy

    2 likes

   Void is an open-source Minecraft proxy - an alternative to Velocity or BungeeCord - designed specifically for modded servers.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (MIT)

   Origin

   • International

   Since

   • Since 2026

   Platforms

   • Linux
   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Docker
   • Self-Hosted

   

   Good alternative?Is Void Proxy a good alternative to PaperMC?

    

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   1comment

   ExpandCollapse

   Void Proxy vs PaperMC Comments

   Negative comment by Guest · Aug 7, 2026

   PaperMC is a way to host a server, if you run Paper others connect and join from minecraft, Void Proxy, is, well a proxy, it is designed to route traffic, making it easier to say make a lobby server, then send somebody from that lobby into a survival world.

   1 of 1 comments

   

   

   • Void Proxy is Free and Open SourcePaperMC is also Free and Open Source
6. 

   

   Pumpkin

    1 like

   Minecraft server built entirely in Rust, offering a fast, efficient, and customizable experience. It prioritizes performance and player enjoyment while adhering to the core mechanics of the game.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

   Application type

   • Minecraft Server

   Since

   • Since 2026

   Platforms

   • Linux
   • Rust
   • Minecraft
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   Good alternative?Is Pumpkin a good alternative to PaperMC?

    
8. 

   

   Bukkit

    15 likes

   Bukkit is a free, open-source, software that provides the means to extend the popular Minecraft multiplayer server.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Minecraft Server

   Origin

   • International

   Since

   • Since 2011

   Alerts

   • Discontinued

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux

   

   Good alternative?Is Bukkit a good alternative to PaperMC?

    
9. 

   

   LeafMC

    1 like

   A Paper fork aim to find balance between performance, vanilla and stability.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Minecraft Server

   Origin

   • China

   Since

   • Since 2025

   Platforms

   • Windows
   • Mac
   • Linux

   

   Good alternative?Is LeafMC a good alternative to PaperMC?

    
10. 

    

    Spigot

     11 likes

    Simply put, Spigot is it. Spigot is the most widely-used modded Minecraft server software in the world. It powers many of the top Minecraft server networks around to ensure they can cope with their huge player base and ensure the satisfaction of their players.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Minecraft Server

    Origin

    • Australia

    Since

    • Since 2014

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Minecraft Server
    • Minecraft

    

    Good alternative?Is Spigot a good alternative to PaperMC?

     

    |

    1comment

    ExpandCollapse

    Spigot vs PaperMC Comments

    Positive comment by Guest · Nov 14, 2020

    PaperMC is based on Spigot, and while Spigot lacks the same performance and quality of life features as Paper, it's still the most complete alternative to PaperMC.

    1 of 1 comments

    

    

    • Spigot is Free and Open SourcePaperMC is also Free and Open Source
11. 

    

    Cuberite

     4 likes

    A custom Minecraft compatible game server written in C++. It's a fast, lightweight, and awesome replacement for Vanilla.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Minecraft Server

    Since

    • Since 2014

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • Minecraft Server
    • Minecraft

    

    Good alternative?Is Cuberite a good alternative to PaperMC?

     
12. 

    

    Minecraft Server

     1 like

    Minecraft Server is the official Minecraft server software made by Mojang.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Origin

    • Sweden
    • EU

    Since

    • Since 2013

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Cloudron

    

    Good alternative?Is Minecraft Server a good alternative to PaperMC?

     
13. 

    

    MC-ServerLauncher

     1 like

    Free, open-source desktop app to create and manage Minecraft servers on your own PC — no command line, no config files. Pick a version and server type (Vanilla, Paper, Forge, Fabric) and it downloads the official files, accepts the EULA and generates the world for you.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    • Minecraft Server

    Origin

    • Spain
    • EU

    Since

    • New

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    • Spain
    • EU

    

    

    

    +2

    

    More about MC-ServerLauncher  

    

    Good alternative?Is MC-ServerLauncher a good alternative to PaperMC?

     
14. 

    

    TridentSDK

     3 likes

    Very flexible and efficient server software for Minecraft server hosting.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Minecraft Server

    Since

    • Since 2015

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Minecraft Server
    • Minecraft

    

    Good alternative?Is TridentSDK a good alternative to PaperMC?