The key question with these three server types is whether you need mods, plugins, or both. Paper and Purpur run plugins only. Arclight is a hybrid server that runs both mods and plugins at the same time.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Paper | Purpur | Arclight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bukkit/Spigot plugins | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forge/Fabric mods | No | No | Yes |
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent | Good (overhead from hybrid) |
| Stability | Very high | Very high | Lower (mod/plugin conflicts) |
| Customization options | Standard | Extensive | Mod-dependent |
| Best for | Plugin servers | Plugin servers + tweaks | Mods + plugins together |
Paper
Paper is the industry-standard high-performance server fork. It runs Bukkit and Spigot plugins with major optimizations. It does not run mods. Choose Paper if you only need plugins (economy, permissions, minigames, protection).
Purpur
Purpur is built on Paper and adds hundreds of gameplay configuration options (mob behavior, ridable entities, custom mechanics). Like Paper, it runs plugins only, no mods. Choose Purpur if you want Paper's performance plus deep gameplay customization.
Arclight
Arclight is a hybrid server that bridges Forge or Fabric with Bukkit. This lets you run mods and plugins together on one server. It is built on Paper, so it inherits many optimizations.
The Trade-offs of Arclight
- Pro: Run mods (like Create or Cobblemon) alongside plugins (like permissions or economy)
- Con: Hybrid servers have more potential for crashes and conflicts
- Con: Some plugins or mods may not behave correctly in a hybrid environment
- Con: Slightly higher overhead than pure Paper/Purpur
Which Should You Choose?
| Your Need | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Only plugins | Paper |
| Plugins + heavy gameplay tweaks | Purpur |
| Mods + plugins together | Arclight |
| Only mods | Forge/Fabric/NeoForge (not these) |
If you only need mods (no plugins), use a dedicated Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge server instead of a hybrid, as it is more stable.
FAQ
Can Paper run mods? No. Paper runs Bukkit/Spigot plugins only. Use Arclight or a modded server for mods.
What is Arclight used for? Running Forge or Fabric mods and Bukkit plugins together on the same server.
Is Arclight stable? Less stable than pure Paper or Purpur because hybrid servers can have mod/plugin conflicts. Test your setup thoroughly.
Related: Paper vs Purpur, Paper vs Spigot vs Purpur, Best Minecraft performance mods