Paper vs Spigot vs Purpur: Which Minecraft Server Software Should You Use?

The Minecraft Server Software Family Tree

Understanding how these projects relate to each other helps explain their differences:

• Vanilla — The official server from Mojang. No plugin support, no optimizations.
• CraftBukkit — Added plugin API to vanilla. Now maintained by SpigotMC.
• Spigot — Fork of CraftBukkit with performance improvements. The "standard" for plugin servers.
• Paper — Fork of Spigot with significant additional performance patches and API extensions.
• Purpur — Fork of Paper with even more configuration options and gameplay tweaks.

Each level builds on the one before it. Paper includes everything Spigot has, plus more. Purpur includes everything Paper has, plus more. All three are compatible with Bukkit/Spigot plugins.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Spigot	Paper	Purpur
Bukkit/Spigot plugin support	✅	✅	✅
Paper API support	❌	✅	✅
Async chunk loading	❌	✅	✅
Built-in anti-xray	❌	✅	✅
No-tick view distance	❌	✅	✅
Per-mob configuration	Limited	Better	Extensive
TNT/entity optimizations	Basic	Advanced	Advanced+
Custom gameplay tweaks	❌	❌	✅
Rideable mobs config	❌	❌	✅
Update frequency	Weekly	Daily	Weekly

Spigot: The Stable Standard

What It Is

Spigot is the most established Minecraft server platform. It's been around since 2012 and is the foundation that most Bukkit plugins are built for. When a plugin says "Bukkit/Spigot compatible," it means it was tested on Spigot.

Advantages

• Maximum plugin compatibility — Every Bukkit plugin works on Spigot. Some very old or poorly coded plugins may only work on Spigot.
• Stability — Fewer changes means fewer bugs. Spigot releases are well-tested.
• Documentation — The largest plugin development community uses Spigot API.

Disadvantages

• Slower than Paper — Missing async chunk loading and many performance patches.
• No built-in anti-xray — Requires a separate plugin that adds overhead.
• Fewer configuration options — Less tunability for server owners.

Best For

Servers using very old plugins that haven't been updated, or server owners who prioritize stability over cutting-edge performance. Realistically, most servers should use Paper instead.

Paper: The Performance King

What It Is

Paper is the most popular Minecraft server software in 2026. It's a fork of Spigot that focuses on performance, bug fixes, and extended APIs. The Paper team actively patches vanilla bugs that Mojang hasn't fixed, and their async chunk system is a game-changer for large servers.

Advantages

• Significantly faster than Spigot — Async chunk loading, optimized entity AI, reduced garbage collection pressure.
• Built-in anti-xray — Engine-mode 2 is more efficient than any plugin-based solution.
• No-tick view distance — Players can see 10+ chunks while only 4-6 are simulated. Huge performance win.
• Daily updates — Bugs and exploits are patched quickly.
• Extended API — Plugins can use Paper-specific features for better performance (async events, component API).
• Vanilla bug fixes — Paper fixes many vanilla Minecraft bugs that Mojang ships in official releases.

Disadvantages

• Some vanilla behavior changes — Paper patches certain exploits and bugs that some servers rely on (e.g., TNT duplication, sand duping). These can be re-enabled in config.
• Rare plugin incompatibilities — A very small number of plugins that rely on vanilla-exact behavior may break.

Best For

The vast majority of Minecraft servers. If you're starting a new server in 2026, Paper should be your default choice. It's faster, more secure, and better maintained than Spigot.

Purpur: Maximum Customization

What It Is

Purpur takes Paper and adds extensive configuration options for gameplay mechanics. Want to make all mobs rideable? Change the speed of minecarts? Make villagers follow emerald blocks? Purpur lets you configure almost everything without plugins.

Advantages

• Everything Paper has — All performance patches, async chunks, anti-xray.
• Extensive mob configuration — Change behavior, drops, spawning rules for every mob type individually.
• Gameplay tweaks — Rideable mobs, custom crafting recipes, adjustable game mechanics.
• Reduce plugin dependency — Many things that require plugins on Paper can be done through Purpur's config files.

Disadvantages

• Slightly slower update cycle — Purpur waits for Paper updates, then applies its changes. There's usually a 1-3 day delay for new Minecraft versions.
• Complex configuration — The sheer number of options can be overwhelming for beginners.
• Smaller community — Less documentation and community support compared to Paper.

Best For

Server owners who want deep control over game mechanics. Creative servers, custom game modes, and experienced admins who want to reduce their plugin count. If Paper's configuration options feel limiting, Purpur is your next step.

What About Fabric and Forge?

Fabric and Forge are mod loaders, not server software forks. They serve a completely different purpose:

• Paper/Spigot/Purpur = Plugin servers. Plugins run server-side only; vanilla clients can join.
• Forge/NeoForge = Modded servers. Both server and client must have the same mods installed. Used for modpacks like All the Mods, RLCraft.
• Fabric = Lightweight mod loader. Similar to Forge but more performance-focused. Popular for mods like Sodium, Lithium, Iris.

You cannot use Bukkit/Spigot plugins on Forge or Fabric servers. They use completely different mod APIs. Choose based on whether you want plugins (Paper) or mods (Forge/Fabric).

Our Recommendation

For most servers: Use Paper. It offers the best balance of performance, compatibility, and features. Start with Paper, and if you find yourself wanting more configuration options, switch to Purpur — it's a drop-in replacement that uses the same world and plugin files.

On Azion Cloud, all three options (plus Forge, Fabric, and Vanilla) are available as one-click installations through our Pterodactyl panel. You can switch between them anytime without losing your world data. Check out our plans to get started.