Fabric vs. Forge: Which One Should You Use?

To run a modded server, you first have to pick your "Mod Loader." Think of it like a phone, you have to choose between Android (Fabric) and iPhone (Forge). They both do the same job, but they use different files and different stores. You cannot mix them together.

The Quick Breakdown

Feature	Fabric	Forge
Performance	Smokin' fast. Best for your CPU.	Heavier. Uses more RAM.
Update Speed	Lightning fast. Usually ready on day one.	Slower. Can take weeks to update.
Mod Selection	Modern, sleek, "Vanilla Plus" vibes.	Massive. The home of the old classics.
Best For...	High FPS and the latest game versions.	Huge "Kitchen Sink" modpacks.

Fabric: The Lightweight Alternative

Fabric is the "new kid on the block" and it’s all about speed. It was built from the ground up to be lightweight and easy for developers to update.

Why you'll love it: It has the best performance mods in the world (like Sodium and Lithium). If you want 100 players on a modded server without the lag, Fabric is your best friend.
The Catch: Its library of mods is smaller than Forge's, especially if you're looking for mods from 5+ years ago.

Forge: The Industry Giant

Forge has been around since the beginning. Almost every "famous" modpack you’ve ever watched on YouTube was probably built on Forge.

Why you'll love it: The selection is endless. If you want a mod that adds complex machinery, magic systems, and 50 new biomes, Forge has it.
The Catch: It uses more resources. You'll need a beefier server (more RAM) to run large Forge packs smoothly.

Which One is Right for You?

Go with Fabric if...

You want the best possible performance and high TPS.
You want to play on the very latest version of Minecraft.
You're building a "Vanilla+" server with quality-of-life improvements.

Go with Forge if...

You want to play a specific, massive modpack like SkyFactory or RLCraft.
You need a specific mod that hasn't been "ported" to Fabric yet.
You’re playing on an older version of the game (like 1.12.2).

Can You Switch Later?

Yes, but it's a big move. Switching from Forge to Fabric is like changing your server’s entire brain.

Take a Backup: Don't skip this!
Change the software in the Version tab.
Any blocks or items that came from your old mods will disappear when the world loads. You’ll basically be starting your modded progress from scratch.

Still torn? Join our Discord and tell us what kind of server you want to build. We’ll help you pick the perfect loader.