Paper, Purpur, Folia or Fabric: which server should you choose?

The quick recommendation

Paper server hosting

Paper is the recommended default for most NodeArc users. It improves on the vanilla server while supporting the Bukkit, Spigot and Paper plugin ecosystem. It is usually the easiest route for permissions, homes, protection and quality-of-life plugins.

Choose Paper when you want a familiar survival server with plugins and do not need Fabric mods.

Purpur server hosting

Purpur is based on Paper and keeps broad plugin compatibility while exposing many additional gameplay settings. It is useful when you want to change mob behavior, mechanics or small gameplay details without installing a separate plugin for every option.

Choose Purpur when Paper is the right foundation but you want more built-in customization.

Folia server hosting

Folia uses region-based multithreading and has different compatibility requirements. A plugin that runs on Paper is not automatically safe on Folia. It can help suitable workloads, but it is not a universal performance switch and is rarely the best first choice for a small server.

Choose Folia only when the plugins you require explicitly state Folia support and you understand its operating model.

Fabric server hosting

Fabric is a lightweight mod loader used by many client and server mods. Unlike Paper, it does not use the normal Bukkit plugin ecosystem. Every player may need the matching mod set when a mod changes client behavior or adds content.

Choose Fabric for lightweight modded gameplay. Large modpacks can exceed the 1.5 GB Free Beta limit, so test memory requirements carefully.

Can software be changed later?

Changing between Paper and Purpur is generally simpler than moving between plugin software and a mod loader. Always download your world and configuration before changing server type. Plugins, mods and configuration files are not interchangeable.