Vanilla vs Paper vs Fabric: Which Minecraft Server to Pick
November 8, 2026 · 2 min read
On this page
When you create a free server on mgame.gg you choose one of three server types. You can't switch type later without starting over, so it's worth thirty seconds to pick the right one.
The short answer
| You want… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Plain Minecraft, exactly like singleplayer | Vanilla |
| Plain gameplay, better performance, admin and quality-of-life plugins | Paper |
| Mods that add content or change how the game works | Fabric |
If you're not sure, choose Paper. Friends join with the normal game, and you can add plugins later.
Vanilla
The official server from Mojang, unchanged. Every redstone contraption and farm behaves exactly as in singleplayer. No plugins, no mods. Choose it for technical play where exact vanilla behaviour matters.
Paper
Paper is a modified server that runs noticeably faster than vanilla and supports plugins. Players don't need to install anything. A few redstone and farm mechanics behave slightly differently from vanilla, because Paper fixes some exploits. For most survival servers with friends, Paper is the best all-rounder.
Fabric
Fabric is a mod loader. With it, the server can run mods: performance mods like Lithium that work invisibly, and content mods that add new blocks, mobs or mechanics. Content mods must also be installed by every player, in the same version. See adding mods.
Versions
All three types support the current release (26.3) and recent older ones. Players need to play exactly the same version as the server, so pick the version your group's launcher uses. On mgame.gg you can move a server to a newer version in Settings later. Going back to an older version can damage the world, so make that choice carefully.
Ready? Create your free server.
