For large servers, Pufferfish offers a high-performance fork of Paper.
Open source
16 alternativesPaper
Run Paper, a Minecraft server designed to address gameplay and mechanics inconsistencies.
About Paper
Paper is a Minecraft server software project hosted on GitHub. It describes itself as a high-performance server that aims to fix gameplay and mechanics inconsistencies. The project provides a downloadable server jar called Paperclip, which runs like a standard Java jar file, and a Paper API for plugin developers.
The repository also explains how to build Paper from source, which requires JDK 25 and an internet connection. Documentation is hosted at docs.papermc.io. Versions 1.8 through 1.21.3 are kept in a separate archive repository. Paper accepts donations through Open Collective and GitHub Sponsors to cover infrastructure costs.
Key features
- Paperclip jar that runs directly from a server directory
- Paper API for plugin development, added through Gradle or Maven
- Published Paper API javadocs at papermc.io/javadocs
- Source build process using Gradle tasks and a Paperclip jar output
- Separate archive repository for Minecraft versions 1.8 to 1.21.3
- Preview page listing upcoming features and pending API changes
Best for: Minecraft server administrators who want a Paper server, and plugin developers who build on the Paper API.
Good for
- Provides a plugin API with published Gradle and Maven setup instructions
- Offers a Paperclip jar that can be run like a standard Java jar file
- Publishes API documentation and javadocs for developers
Watch out for
- Building from source requires JDK 25 and an internet connection
- Minecraft versions 1.21.3 and below are not in this repository and are kept in a separate archive
Paper at a glance
- Website
- github.com/PaperMC/Paper
- Category
- Gaming › Game Servers & Multiplayer
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Paper alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Run Paper, a Minecraft server built on Spigot with performance and server API changes.
Build lightweight Minecraft servers with Minestom, a server implementation hosted on GitHub.
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Route player connections from Connect Network through a Minecraft plugin for Spigot, Paper, and proxy servers.
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Read Paper Chan’s guide to optimizing Minecraft server settings and performance.
Read usage documentation for an API that generates Minecraft server status banners.
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Paper FAQ
Where can I download Paper?
The README links to a Paper downloads page, and the Paperclip jar can be run directly from a server.
What is needed to compile Paper from source?
The repository states that JDK 25 and an internet connection are needed. The build is started by running ./gradlew applyPatches and then ./gradlew createPaperclipJar.
Where are older Minecraft versions supported?
Branches for versions 1.8 through 1.21.3 are kept in a separate archive repository, not in this one.
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