Modded Minecraft Server Hosting: Fabric vs Forge and How to Start
By Chris Harring · Published July 15, 2026 · Updated August 16, 2026
Modded Minecraft server hosting is a managed game server that runs mod loaders like Fabric and Forge so friends can play with mods together online.
Quick answer: Fabric and Forge are the two mod loaders a Minecraft Java server uses to run mods. Fabric is lightweight and updates fast, so it fits a near-vanilla world with a short list of performance and quality-of-life mods. Forge is the older, heavier loader that most large modpacks target. Pick the loader your mods need, then size the RAM to your mod count. A small modded server starts around $14.99 a month.
Instant setup in about two minutes, daily backups, one click Modrinth mods, from $14.99 a month for 2GB RAM, cancel anytime.
What is Fabric server hosting?
Fabric server hosting means running a Minecraft Java server on the Fabric mod loader. Fabric is a lightweight loader that tends to support new Minecraft versions quickly, and it is where many performance and quality-of-life mods live, such as Lithium and FerriteCore, which help the server run smoothly without changing the game much.
Fabric is a strong fit for a mostly vanilla world with a short, handpicked mod list. Because the loader itself is light, a small Fabric server often needs less RAM than a Forge server running the same number of players.
What is Forge server hosting?
Forge server hosting means running a Minecraft Java server on the Forge mod loader. Forge is the older and most established loader, and it is the target for most large modpacks and big tech and magic mods, from kitchen-sink packs to Create and its add-ons.
Forge is heavier and updates to new Minecraft versions more slowly, but it is the right choice when the pack you want is built for Forge, which is the case for most of the famous large packs.
Which mod loader should a small server use?
The honest answer is to pick the loader your mods need, not a favorite. Write out your wishlist first, check which loader each mod supports, and create the server to match. For a small friend group, the pattern usually looks like this.
| Aspect | Fabric | Forge |
|---|---|---|
| Age and ecosystem | Newer, lightweight loader | Older, most established loader |
| Big modpacks | Fewer large kitchen-sink packs | Most famous large packs target Forge |
| Update speed | Fast to support new Minecraft versions | Slower to update to new versions |
| Performance mods | Strong selection such as Lithium | Solid options such as ModernFix |
| Best fit | Near-vanilla plus a short curated mod list | Large packs with lots of tech and magic mods |
If your group wants near-vanilla plus 10 to 20 handpicked mods, Fabric is usually the better call. If your group wants a famous kitchen-sink pack, it is almost certainly Forge. Switching loaders later usually means your mod content does not carry over, so decide before you get attached to your base.
How much does modded Minecraft hosting cost?
Modded hosting costs more than vanilla because mods need more RAM. A light Fabric setup with a handful of mods runs on a 2 GB plan at about $14.99 a month. A curated list of 10 to 30 mods wants 4 GB at about $24.99 a month. A big modpack with 100 or more mods wants 8 GB at about $44.99 a month.
- 2 GB: a few light Fabric mods, from $14.99 a month
- 4 GB: 10 to 30 mods for a small group, about $24.99 a month
- 8 GB: large tech or magic modpacks, about $44.99 a month
Player count matters less than mod count. Five friends on a 150-mod pack will strain a 4 GB server far more than fifteen friends on near-vanilla. Start one tier lower than you think and upgrade if you see lag. For the full budgeting picture, see our breakdown of Minecraft server hosting cost.
How do you install mods on a hosted server?
Mods are not installed from a one-click browser. They are uploaded as jar files, and every player installs the same mods locally. Here is the flow.
- Create a Fabric or Forge server. Pick the loader and the Minecraft version your mods need. Mods are version-specific, so a 1.20.1 mod will not load on a 1.21 server.
- Download the server-side mod jars. Get them from Modrinth or CurseForge, matching your exact Minecraft version and loader.
- Upload them to the mods folder. Open the web file manager, open the mods folder, and upload the jars. No FTP client needed.
- Restart the server. Watch the console while it boots. If a mod is missing a dependency or built for the wrong version, the log tells you which one.
- Everyone installs the same mods locally. Each player adds the same mods at the same versions in their launcher, usually through the CurseForge app, the Modrinth app, or Prism Launcher.
Mods are different from plugins. Plugins run on Paper and Purpur servers, only the server installs them, and on NovaCraftHost they install in one click from Modrinth. Mods run on Fabric and Forge and every player must install them too. If a plugin-style setup is all you need, read our guide to Minecraft server hosting and plugins.
How do you get started?
NovaCraftHost hosts both Java and Bedrock, and you pick Fabric or Forge with your Minecraft version when you create the server. Setup is instant, so the server is live in minutes, and every plan includes daily backups with one-click restore, which matters for modded servers because mods corrupt worlds more often than vanilla does. Plans start at $14.99 a month and you can cancel anytime.
Pick a plan based on your mod count, create a Fabric or Forge server, upload your mods through the file manager, and share the address with your group. Compare the NovaCraftHost plans and start with the tier that matches your pack. If most of your group plays on PC with Java Edition, our guide to Java server hosting covers the setup in more detail. If some of your group plays on phones or consoles, check Bedrock server hosting too.
Bottom line: Modded Minecraft server hosting comes down to two choices: Fabric for a light, near-vanilla world with a short mod list, or Forge for the large packs most famous mods target. Match the loader to your mods, size the RAM to your mod count, and make sure every player installs the same mods. A small modded server starts around $14.99 a month, and daily backups mean a bad mod never costs you the world.
Related guides
- Minecraft server hosting
- NovaCraftHost plans and pricing
- Minecraft Java server hosting
- Minecraft Bedrock server hosting
- Minecraft server hosting and plugins
- Best Minecraft server hosting
Frequently asked questions
Which mod loader should I pick, Fabric or Forge?
Pick the loader your mods need. Write out the mods you want, check which loader each one supports, and create the server to match. For near-vanilla with a short list of performance and quality-of-life mods, Fabric is usually lighter and faster. For a large kitchen-sink pack, Forge is almost always the target.
Do my friends need to install the mods to join?
Yes. Every player needs the same mods at the same versions in their own launcher. Client-only mods such as minimaps and shaders are the exception. The easiest route is having everyone install the same pack through the CurseForge app, the Modrinth app, or Prism Launcher.
How much does modded Minecraft server hosting cost?
A small modded server starts around $14.99 a month for 2 GB of RAM, enough for a few light Fabric mods. A curated list of 10 to 30 mods fits a 4 GB plan at about $24.99 a month, and a large pack with 100 or more mods wants 8 GB at about $44.99 a month. Modded servers cost more than vanilla because mods need more RAM.
Can I run a Fabric or Forge server on NovaCraftHost?
Yes. NovaCraftHost hosts both Java and Bedrock, and when you create a server you pick Fabric or Forge along with your Minecraft version. Mods are uploaded through the web file manager, and every plan includes daily backups with one-click restore. Plans start at $14.99 a month and you can cancel anytime.
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