1
Also covers game and performance · same kind of open-source project · open source
For large servers, Pufferfish offers a high-performance fork of Paper.
Alternatives
The Best Paper Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives1 free · 9 open source
Looking for something like Paper? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 1 are free or have a free plan and 9 are open source.
Run Paper, a Minecraft server designed to address gameplay and mechanics inconsistencies.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionPufferfishFor large servers, Pufferfish offers a high-performance…Free or freemium optionFree Minecraft HostsCompare providers in this directory of free Minecraft…Another optionPaperRun Paper, a Minecraft server built on Spigot with…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pufferfish | — | Yes | — |
| 2 | Paper | — | Not stated | Web |
| 3 | Minestom | — | Yes | — |
| 4 | Connect Java | — | Yes | — |
| 5 | paper-optimization | — | Not stated | Web |
| 6 | MC-Server-Banner-API | — | Yes | — |
| 7 | Grim | — | Yes | — |
| 8 | Auto Mcs | — | Yes | Linux |
| 9 | Mcsmanager | — | Yes | — |
| 10 | Free Minecraft Hosts | Free | Not stated | — |
All Paper alternatives
2
Paper
papermc.io/software/paperAlso covers api, game, and performance
Run Paper, a Minecraft server built on Spigot with performance and server API changes.
3
Also covers api, game, and performance · same kind of open-source project · open source
Build lightweight Minecraft servers with Minestom, a server implementation hosted on GitHub.
4
Also covers game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Route player connections from Connect Network through a Minecraft plugin for Spigot, Paper, and proxy servers.
5
paper-optimization
paper-chan.moe/paper-optimizationAlso covers game
Read Paper Chan’s guide to optimizing Minecraft server settings and performance.
6
Also covers api and game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Read usage documentation for an API that generates Minecraft server status banners.
7
Also covers api and game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Detect and block Minecraft cheats with Grim Anticheat, a multithreaded predictive server plugin.
8
Also covers game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Manage Minecraft servers across platforms with auto-mcs, a server management application.
9
Also covers game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Deploy and manage Minecraft or Steam game servers from a distributed multi-user control panel.
10
Also covers game · same kind of open-source project · free
Compare providers in this directory of free Minecraft server hosting services.
11
minecraft-optimization
github.com/YouHaveTrouble/minecraft-optimizationAlso covers game · same kind of open-source project
Read this repository’s Minecraft server optimization guide for performance tuning recommendations.
12
Also covers game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Connect Minecraft Java Edition clients to Bedrock Edition servers through the Geyser proxy.
13
Also covers game · same kind of open-source project · open source
Server Pack Creator builds server packs from Minecraft modpacks for Forge, NeoForge, Fabric, LegacyFabric, or Quilt.
14
Purpur
purpurmc.orgAlso covers api and game
Run Purpur, a Minecraft server platform that lets server owners customize their setup.
15
MCJars
mcjars.appAlso covers api and game
MCJars provides Minecraft server owners with downloadable server files and configuration resources.
16
Consoles
wiki.geysermc.org/geyser/using-geyser-with-con…Also covers game
Follow GeyserMC instructions for joining Minecraft Bedrock Edition servers from console versions.
17
Plugins
hangar.papermc.ioAlso covers game
Browse and download Minecraft plugins for your server through the Hangar plugin directory.
18
e4mc Retro
modrinth.com/mod/e4mc-retroAlso covers game
Open a Minecraft LAN server to players using older game versions with e4mc Retro.
19
GrimAC
modrinth.com/plugin/grimacAlso covers game
Protect Minecraft servers from known client-side exploits with the Grim Anticheat plugin.
20
mcsrvstat
mcsrvstat.usAlso covers game
mcsrvstat monitors Minecraft server status and displays whether servers are online.
21
Crafty 4
gitlab.com/crafty-controller/crafty-4Also covers game
Manage, control, and launch Minecraft servers with Crafty Controller 4.
22
ViaVersion
viaversion.comAlso covers game
ViaVersion lets Minecraft clients connect across multiple server versions through a family of compatibility projects.
23
Minekube Connect
connect.minekube.comAlso covers game
Minekube Connect creates an ingress tunnel for Minecraft servers, allowing players to connect to hosted worlds.
24
auto-mcs
auto-mcs.comAlso covers game
auto-mcs manages Minecraft servers across platforms, helping users set up and play with friends.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
Consoles24 alternativesConnect Java24 alternativesMC-Server-Banner-API24 alternativesPaper24 alternativesFree Minecraft Hosts24 alternativesminecraft-optimization24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to Paper?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to Paper are Pufferfish, Paper, and Minestom.
Is there a free alternative to Paper?
Yes. Free Minecraft Hosts is free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to Paper?
Yes: Pufferfish, Minestom, Connect Java, and MC-Server-Banner-API.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative