Minecraft Server Software Compared (Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge) and How to Install a Custom Jar

For plugins, run Paper. For mods, run whichever loader your mods are built for: Fabric or NeoForge. Players join plugin servers with a normal client. Modded servers need the same mods on every client.

Plugin servers

Skip Vanilla and Spigot. Paper runs the same game faster, and every Spigot plugin works on it.

Modded servers

From 1.20.2 onward, Forge and NeoForge mods aren't interchangeable. Check which one your modpack uses.

Hybrids like Arclight and Mohist run mods and plugins together, but plugins often misbehave on them and most plugin authors won't support them.

Proxies

To join several servers into one network, run Velocity in front of them. BungeeCord still works, and Waterfall is end of life.

Install a custom jar

1. Download the jar for your software and Minecraft version from its official site.
2. Stop the server in the Crunchy.Host panel.
3. In Files, upload the jar to /home/container, remove the old server.jar, and rename yours to server.jar.
4. Set the right Java version under Startup > Docker Image.
5. Start the server.

The Fabric server launcher works this way. Forge 1.17+ and NeoForge don't: their installer sets up libraries and launch scripts, so a renamed installer won't start.

Switching

• Vanilla or Spigot to Paper, Paper to Purpur: replace the jar and start. Worlds and plugins carry over.
• Plugins to mods, or the reverse: neither loads on the other, so you're rebuilding the setup.
• Older Minecraft version: not supported. A world opened in a newer version can't safely go back.

Back up in Backups before any switch.