NeoForge vs Forge: which one?

For Minecraft 1.20.1 and newer, NeoForge is usually the better pick: it's more actively developed, its release cadence is faster, and most new mods target it. For 1.19.4 and older, only Forge exists. If you're running a specific modpack, check its page: the pack will tell you which loader it needs.

Which Minecraft versions does NeoForge support?

NeoForge supports Minecraft 1.20.1 and newer. It was forked from Forge in mid-2023 so earlier versions are not covered: for 1.19.4 and below use Forge.

Do Forge mods work on NeoForge?

Many do, but not always unchanged. NeoForge preserves most of the Forge API, so mods that don't use deep internals can often be run on NeoForge directly. For mods that rely on internals, the mod author usually publishes a separate NeoForge build. Check the mod's CurseForge or Modrinth page before installing.

Which Java version do I need for NeoForge?

Minecraft 1.20.5 and newer require Java 21. NeoForge for 1.20.1–1.20.4 needs Java 17. Install Eclipse Temurin of the exact version: modded servers are particularly sensitive to Java version mismatches.

Download NeoForge Server

NeoForge is a community-driven fork of Forge that started with Minecraft 1.20.1. It's the most active mod loader for recent Minecraft versions and the go-to choice for new modpacks.

Latest version

26.2.0

Build 26.2.0.6-beta

Download installer

What is NeoForge?

NeoForge is a fork of Minecraft Forge created by a group of core Forge contributors in mid-2023. It supports Minecraft 1.20.1 and newer, has a faster development cadence than the original Forge project, and is where most new modding activity for recent Minecraft versions is happening. NeoForge keeps the Forge API mostly intact so existing Forge mods can be updated with relatively small changes, and many major mods publish for both loaders. If you're starting a new modded server on 1.20.1 or newer in 2026, NeoForge is usually the right pick.

When should I use NeoForge?

Pick NeoForge if you want to run mods on Minecraft 1.20.1 or newer and the mods you want target NeoForge (most modern mods now do). Don't pick NeoForge for 1.19.4 or older: it doesn't exist for those versions, use Forge instead.

Setup

Required Java

Java 21 (MC 1.20.5+) · Java 17 (MC 1.20.1–1.20.4)

Recommended RAM

4–6 GB for small packs, 8–12 GB for medium, 16 GB+ for heavy

Installation

1. Download the installer JAR above
2. Run: java -jar neoforge-installer.jar --installServer
3. Accept the EULA (eula.txt)
4. Run ./run.sh (Linux/macOS) or run.bat (Windows)

All NeoForge versions

Every NeoForge build we have ever seen, grouped by Minecraft major version. Click any version to open its dedicated download page.

Show older Minecraft versions (3 majors)

Minecraft 1.21 (12)

1.21.11 1.21.10 1.21.9 1.21.8 1.21.7 1.21.6 1.21.5 1.21.4 1.21.3 1.21.2 1.21.1 1.21.0

Minecraft 1.20 (5)

1.20.6 1.20.5 1.20.4 1.20.3 1.20.2

Minecraft 1.0 (1)

1.0.25

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