Your friend says "install Forge." Another says "use Fabric, it is way faster." A Reddit post says "NeoForge is the future." You have no idea what any of this means.
All three are mod loaders. They let you install mods that change how Minecraft works. The difference is in compatibility, performance, and which mods are available. Here is a clear comparison.
Quick Summary
| Feature | Forge | NeoForge | Fabric | |---|---|---|---| | Age | Since 2011 | Since 2023 (Forge fork) | Since 2018 | | Mod count | Largest library | Growing (inherits Forge mods) | Second largest | | Performance | Heavier | Similar to Forge | Lightest | | Startup time | Slow (2-5 min) | Slightly faster than Forge | Fast (30-60 sec) | | Big modpacks | Yes (RLCraft, ATM) | Starting to get them | Some (Better MC) | | Update speed | Slow | Faster than Forge | Very fast | | Plugin support (Bukkit) | No (without hybrid) | No (without hybrid) | No (without hybrid) |
Forge: The Original
Forge has been around since 2011. It has the largest mod library of any loader. If a mod exists, there is probably a Forge version. Most major modpacks (RLCraft, All the Mods, Create, Tekkit) are built on Forge.
Pros:
- Thousands of mods available
- Every major modpack supports Forge
- Mature ecosystem with lots of documentation
- Most modders have Forge experience
Cons:
- Slow startup times (loading a large modpack can take 3-5 minutes)
- Heavier on resources than Fabric
- Updates to new Minecraft versions take weeks or months
- Development leadership caused a community split in 2023
Forge is the safe choice if you want to run established modpacks. Almost every popular modpack from the past decade is a Forge pack.
NeoForge: The Community Fork
In 2023, the Forge community split. A group of developers forked Forge and created NeoForge, citing disagreements with Forge's governance. NeoForge is essentially Forge with new leadership and a faster development pace.
Pros:
- Backward compatible with many Forge mods (especially newer ones)
- Faster update cycle for new Minecraft versions
- More open governance and community involvement
- Actively cleaning up old Forge code debt
Cons:
- Not all Forge mods work on NeoForge (especially older ones)
- Fewer modpacks compared to Forge's decades of history
- Still establishing itself as the standard
- Can be confusing to tell which mods are NeoForge vs Forge compatible
If you are starting a new modded server in 2026, NeoForge is worth looking at. It is where most active Forge modders are moving their projects.
Fabric: The Lightweight Option
Fabric takes a different approach. Instead of being a heavy framework, Fabric is a minimal loader. Mods are smaller, startup is faster, and the whole system uses less RAM. Fabric also tends to update to new Minecraft versions within days of release.
Pros:
- Fast startup (30-60 seconds for a modded server)
- Lower RAM and CPU usage
- Updates to new Minecraft versions almost immediately
- Clean, modern API that modders like working with
Cons:
- Fewer total mods than Forge
- Missing some major mods (though this gap is shrinking)
- Performance mods need a separate library (Fabric API) installed alongside
- Some popular modpacks are not available on Fabric
Fabric is the best choice for performance-focused setups. If you want optimization mods (Lithium, Sodium, Starlight) or lightweight content mods, Fabric is the way to go.
Which One Should You Pick?
"I want to play a specific modpack"
Check what the modpack requires. CurseForge and Modrinth list the loader on the modpack page. If it says Forge, use Forge. If it says Fabric, use Fabric. You do not get to choose here.
"I want to build my own mod list"
For big tech/magic mods (Create, Mekanism, Applied Energistics, Botania): Use NeoForge. These mods are traditionally Forge mods and most are available on NeoForge now.
For performance + small content mods (Sodium, Lithium, Terralith, Simple Voice Chat): Use Fabric. These mods run lighter and update faster.
For maximum mod compatibility with old and new mods: Use Forge. It still has the widest library, especially for older mods.
"I want a server with plugins, not mods"
Use Paper (not any of these). Paper runs Bukkit/Spigot plugins and is designed for server performance. If you want teleport commands, economy, permissions, and chest shops, you want plugins, not mods. See our beginner server guide.
Can You Mix Them?
No. Forge mods do not work on Fabric. Fabric mods do not work on Forge. NeoForge has some backward compatibility with Forge mods, but it is not guaranteed.
Some projects like Sinytra Connector attempt to load Forge mods on Fabric, but this is experimental and causes compatibility issues. Do not rely on it for a production server.
RAM Requirements by Loader
| Setup | Minimum RAM | |---|---| | Fabric + 10 performance mods | 2-3 GB | | Fabric + 50 content mods | 4-6 GB | | Forge/NeoForge + light modpack | 4-6 GB | | Forge/NeoForge + medium modpack | 6-8 GB | | Forge/NeoForge + heavy modpack (300+ mods) | 10-16 GB |
Fabric is lighter because mods are smaller and the loader has less overhead. Forge requires more baseline RAM before any mods are loaded.
Installation
All three loaders install the same way on a hosted server:
- In your panel, select the Minecraft version
- Choose the loader (Forge, NeoForge, or Fabric)
- Start the server to generate config files
- Upload mod .jar files to the
mods/folder - Restart
On Space-Node, all three loaders are available as one-click installs through the Pterodactyl panel. Check the plans here.
