Emerald
Emerald is a free Minecraft launcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What Emerald is
Emerald is a free Minecraft launcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It manages multiple profiles with separate folders, versions, and per-game settings, while global settings are saved automatically. Players can select Mojang-provided versions and use Vanilla, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt, or LiteLoader; OptiFine support remains in progress. The launcher handles mods, shaders, resource packs, and modpacks, including Modrinth .mrpack imports. Java runtime management and automatic updates are included. Modrinth browsing, details, and installation tracking are only partly supported, so versions may not match or download automatically. Sign-in supports Microsoft, offline, and Ely.by accounts; the project says alternative login methods require a legal Minecraft copy. Windows uses signed MSIX packages and AppInstaller updates. Linux uses Snap for x86_64 and arm64. The macOS build is not notarized, so Gatekeeper blocks it by default. Repository license labels conflict: the README names Nightshade Vexillum, while LICENSE.md displays MIT.
Good
- Profiles have separate folders and settings
- Supports multiple major mod loaders
- Imports Modrinth .mrpack files
- Manages Java runtimes
- Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Watch out
- macOS build is not notarized
- Modrinth workflow is only partly supported
- OptiFine support is still in progress
- Repository license labels conflict
Who it suits
It suits Minecraft players who want separate profiles, mod loaders, modpacks, and cross-platform desktop access. macOS users should account for the default Gatekeeper block.
Verdict
Emerald provides profile management, loader selection, modpack handling, and desktop distribution across three operating systems. Review the macOS installation step and evolving Modrinth support before relying on those workflows.
The facts
Each one read from Emerald's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accounts
- The launcher supports Microsoft, offline, and Ely.by accounts, and says it does not encourage other login methods without a legal Minecraft copy.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Account sign-in
- Microsoft, offline, and Ely.by account sign-in methods are supported.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Automatic updates
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Built-in modpack catalog
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Content
- The launcher supports mods, shaders, resource packs, and modpacks.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Copyright holder
- Copyright is attributed to Riverside Valley Corporation for 2022-2026.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Game management
- It supports multiple Minecraft profiles, version selection, global settings, and per-game settings overrides.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Game profiles
- It supports multiple Minecraft profiles with separate folders, versions, and per-game settings.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Global settings
- Global Minecraft settings are file-backed and autosaved.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Java runtime management
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- License
- The repository says Emerald is licensed under the Nightshade Vexillum license.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Mod content
- Emerald supports mods, shaders, resource packs, and modpacks, including Modrinth .mrpack files.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Mod loaders
- Supported loaders include Vanilla, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt, and LiteLoader; OptiFine support is still in progress.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Mod loader support
- Vanilla, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt, LiteLoader, and partial OptiFine support.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Modpack import
- bothchecked 22 Sep 2026
- Modpack support
- The launcher fully supports Modrinth .mrpack files.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Modrinth
- Emerald supports Modrinth modpacks in .mrpack format and provides browsing and install tracking for some store content, with parts of that workflow still evolving.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Modrinth browsing
- Modrinth browsing and details are partially supported and may not match or auto-download versions.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Modrinth integration
- Emerald includes Modrinth content browsing, while its README describes browsing and install tracking as partially supported and still evolving.checked 3 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Linux distribution
- The project lists Linux releases and describes Snap installation; its 1.4.0 pre-release notes list x86_64 Snap, portable tar.gz, AppImage, Debian, and Arch package artifacts.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Linux limitation
- The release notes say Linux had not been tested on real hardware by the primary developer.checked 3 Oct 2026
- macOS limitation
- The macOS build is not notarized, and the installation instructions say Gatekeeper blocks it by default.checked 2 Oct 2026
- macOS notarization
- The macOS build is currently not notarized and Gatekeeper blocks it by default.checked 28 Sep 2026
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