Modrinth is basically the new gold standard for finding and installing Minecraft mods. Their move into hosting was a smart one, but while it's extremely convenient, it isn't without its drawbacks. Deep platform integration is great, but it can lead to "platform lock-in" and a traditional billing model that might not fit your actual playtime.

If you’re looking for a modded experience that is both simple and financially flexible, it’s time to see how Fern is offering a powerful alternative.

The 30-Second Verdict

Go with Modrinth Hosting if: You live and breathe the Modrinth ecosystem, use their launcher exclusively, and want the absolute tightest integration with their mod library.

Go with Fern if: You want a host that is independent, high-performance, and respects your usage patterns. Fern’s credit-based billing (like our $5 Phase campaign) ensures you only pay for the hours your modded world is actually online. It’s the perfect choice for groups that want premium hardware (NVMe + DDR5) without being locked into a single platform.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Modrinth Hosting	Fern (fern.host)
Pricing Model	Monthly Subscription	Flexible Credits (Pay-as-you-go)
Setup Time	~2 Minutes	Instant (< 2 mins)
Mod Integration	Native Modrinth Library	Broad One-Click Support
Hardware	AMD / NVMe / DDR5	High-Performance NVMe & Modern CPUs
Cross-play	Standard Java	Native (Java + Bedrock)
Player Management	Standard Console	Visual Player Dashboard
Billing Flexibility	Recurring Monthly	'Stop the Burn' Credits

Deeper Dive: Platform vs. Freedom

The "Walled Garden" Problem

Modrinth hosting is built to serve Modrinth users. It’s a smooth experience, but it can feel restrictive if you want to branch out or use different launchers and tools.

The Modrinth Model: You're in their walled garden. It's beautiful, but it's a subscription-first world.
The Fern Way: We are an independent "Game-First" host. We handle the complex networking to allow Java and Bedrock players to unite natively, regardless of what library or mods you use.

Credits for the "Modded Phase"

Modpacks are famous for creating "Phases" of play. Your group might play a heavy Fabric pack for two weeks, then take a month off before trying a Forge expert pack.

With Modrinth: Your monthly subscription ticks away even if the server is empty while you're waiting for that new pack to update.
With Fern: You only pay for the fun. Our credit system (including the $5 Phase campaign) stops spending the moment your server goes offline. For modded adventures requiring our Large (7GB) tier, your $5 buy-in provides ~41 hours of high-performance playtime, which is plenty for a focused "Phase" without the recurring bill.

The "Phase" Winning Argument

Modded Minecraft is all about the hype cycle. The biggest challenge for owners isn't the setup; it's the cost of downtime.

Modrinth Hosting’s subscription model charges you for the days nobody logs in. Fern is built for the cycle. Spend $5, launch your modded "Phase" (using our 7GB Large tier for optimal stability), and when the group is done, just stop the server. Your world stays safe for free, your credits stay in your account, and you can pick up precisely where you left off when the next hype wave hits.

Final Verdict

Modrinth Hosting is a fantastic choice if you're already living in their app and want the absolute tightest possible mod integration.

But for the modded community owner who wants independent performance, visual player tools, and a billing model that never wastes a cent, Fern is the clear winner. For $5, you get the freedom to play your way.

Ready to launch your next modded adventure?

Launch your server on Fern for $5 →