Does OptiFine Work With NeoForge? Shader Options 2026

Quick answer: No, OptiFine does not work with NeoForge. OptiFine's own install docs say so directly: "OptiFine is not yet available for NeoForge." (OptiFine docs). For shaders on NeoForge, install Iris together with Sodium. Both publish NeoForge builds, and the current Iris releases list Sodium as a required dependency, so you need both. Keep Oculus and Embeddium for older Forge packs, because Oculus has no build newer than 1.20.1.

Shader mods by Minecraft version

Newest matching builds on Modrinth, checked on 30 September 2026:

A few notes on the table:

• 26.3: The NeoForge build of Iris for 26.3 arrived with Iris 1.11.7 on 30 September 2026. Earlier 26.3 releases of Iris were Fabric only, so on NeoForge pick 1.11.7 or newer.
• 1.21.11: Iris 1.10.8 (29 September 2026) lists Sodium 0.8.14 as its required version, so update the two together. Do not pair the old Iris 1.10.7 with Sodium 0.8.13 or newer. Sodium's Fabric builds flag that combination as incompatible, and the NeoForge files do not check for it at all.
• 1.21.1: Iris 1.8.14 is a beta built for Sodium 0.8. If you want the last full release, Iris 1.8.12, pair it with Sodium 0.6.13 instead, because that build asks for Sodium 0.6.
• 1.20.1: Iris and Sodium have no NeoForge builds for 1.20.1, so packs on this version still use Oculus on top of Embeddium. Oculus is an unofficial Iris fork for Forge, Embeddium is a fork of an older Sodium, and Oculus has not had a new build since December 2024.

Where to download them

These links open the NeoForge file lists on the official project pages:

• Iris: modrinth.com/mod/iris/versions?l=neoforge
• Sodium: modrinth.com/mod/sodium/versions?l=neoforge

Find your Minecraft version in the Game version column and download that file from each list. On CurseForge the same projects are called Iris Shaders and Sodium, and both have NeoForge files there too. For the full install steps and where the shader pack goes, see our Iris and Sodium setup guide. For packs to try, see the best shader packs for Sodium and Iris.

What to remove from an old pack

Moving a pack to NeoForge with Iris and Sodium? Take these out of the mods folder first:

• OptiFine. There is no NeoForge version of it.
• Embeddium. Iris for NeoForge marks it as incompatible ("Iris and Embeddium cannot be used together"), and Sodium for NeoForge 1.21.1 does the same.
• Oculus. It needs Embeddium and has no build newer than 1.20.1.

Does OptiFine still work on Forge?

On Forge, yes. OptiFine's docs still have a Forge install guide, with one condition: the OptiFine build has to be compatible with your Forge version. If your pack runs on NeoForge, there is nothing to install.

Mistakes to avoid

• Installing OptiFine into every modern pack by habit.
• Mixing Fabric-only mods with NeoForge.
• Ignoring crash logs.
• Using random reuploads.

Space-Node recommendation

For server performance, use Minecraft hosting. Client shader mods affect players, but server TPS still needs good hosting and sane view distance.

Iris, Sodium, Oculus and Embeddium are all client mods, and Modrinth lists each of them as unsupported on servers. Leave them out of your server's mods folder. Every player installs them on their own game.

FAQ

Does OptiFine work with NeoForge? No. OptiFine's documentation says it is not yet available for NeoForge. Use Iris with Sodium for shaders instead.

Are Iris shaders compatible with NeoForge? Yes. Iris has NeoForge builds on Modrinth for Minecraft 1.21 through 26.3 (1.21.9 is skipped), and the current full releases require Sodium. The 26.3 NeoForge build is Iris 1.11.7, published on 30 September 2026.

Which shader loader should I use on CurseForge with NeoForge? Iris, installed together with Sodium. On CurseForge, Iris is listed as Iris Shaders, and both Iris and Sodium have NeoForge files there.

Can I still use Oculus and Embeddium? For shaders, only in older Forge packs. Oculus has no build newer than 1.20.1, and Iris for NeoForge is marked incompatible with Embeddium.