BungeeCord has been the default Minecraft network proxy for years, but in 2026 there are better options. If you are building a new network or considering a switch, here are the alternatives worth looking at.
Why look for BungeeCord alternatives?
BungeeCord works, but it has limitations. It does not verify player connections securely by default (you must set bungeecord: true on every backend and trust the proxy IP). It uses more memory per connection than modern proxies. And its plugin API has not changed significantly in years.
The biggest reason to switch is security. BungeeCord's forwarding model trusts the proxy IP, which means a misconfigured firewall lets attackers spoof UUIDs and join as any player.
Velocity
Velocity is the most popular BungeeCord alternative and the one most new networks should use.
- Built by the PaperMC team with modern Java.
- Uses a secure forwarding mode (
modernforwarding with a shared secret) that prevents UUID spoofing entirely. - Lower memory usage per player than BungeeCord.
- Supports both Paper and Sponge backends.
- Plugin API is cleaner and better documented.
- Active development and fast updates for new Minecraft versions.
If you are starting a new network, use Velocity. It is strictly better than BungeeCord for security and performance.
Waterfall
Waterfall is a BungeeCord fork maintained by the PaperMC team. It adds performance patches and bug fixes on top of standard BungeeCord while keeping full plugin compatibility. If you have existing BungeeCord plugins that do not support Velocity yet, Waterfall is a safe middle ground.
Note that Waterfall is in maintenance mode. The PaperMC team recommends Velocity for new projects.
Gate
Gate is a lightweight Minecraft proxy written in Go. It is designed for maximum performance and minimal resource usage. Gate is ideal for large networks that need to handle thousands of connections with low overhead. However, it has a smaller plugin ecosystem than Velocity.
Infrared
Infrared is another Go-based proxy focused on on-demand server starting. It can start backend servers only when players connect, saving resources. Good for networks with many game modes that are not always active.
How to choose
- New network: use Velocity with modern forwarding.
- Existing BungeeCord network with many plugins: migrate to Waterfall first, then plan a Velocity migration.
- Maximum performance at scale: evaluate Gate.
- On-demand server management: look at Infrared.
The short answer
Velocity is the best BungeeCord alternative in 2026. It is more secure, faster, and actively maintained by the PaperMC team. Use it for any new Minecraft network.
Space-Node supports BungeeCord, Velocity, and Waterfall networks. See our BungeeCord network hosting page or the full Minecraft plans.