Modrinth

Overview

Modrinth is a home for community-made Minecraft: Java Edition projects, from mods and modpacks to plugins, shaders and resource packs. It suits players who want a focused way to find compatible projects, and creators who want publishing tools alongside their audience. Its free catalogue is the strongest reason to start here; the desktop launcher is still in public beta, and server hosting is a separate, sometimes costly proposition.

Key features

Finding and managing projects

Search and filters, including game-version filters, make Modrinth useful when compatibility matters. Dependency information helps players see what a project relies on, while collections and download tracking support ongoing discovery. Support for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt covers the major listed mod-loader families, though the catalogue is specifically for Minecraft: Java Edition rather than a general game-mod directory.

Launcher and integrations

The open-source Modrinth App installs, uninstalls and updates mods, and lets players share modpacks. That gives players a single desktop tool for routine mod management, but its public-beta status means it may not be the right foundation for someone who needs a mature launcher today. The app runs on Windows, macOS and Linux; Linux versions may encounter issues on some systems and configurations.

Modrinth's open-source API also enables integrations with ATLauncher, MultiMC and Prism Launcher. Players already committed to one of those launchers can use the ecosystem without making the Modrinth App their main interface.

Tools for creators and server owners

Project creators can assign team roles and permissions, earn ad revenue, and review page-view, download and revenue reports. Developers can use Minotaur, a Gradle plugin that automates artifact publishing. These tools make Modrinth more than a download catalogue for people who maintain projects.

Modrinth Hosting supports Minecraft Java versions back to 1.2.5 and loaders including Fabric, Quilt, Forge, NeoForge, Paper and Purpur, subject to version support. Its free offer is a 3 GB server for five days, with no credit card required, but only for US servers. That is a useful short trial, not a lasting free hosting tier.

Pricing

The core platform is free and hosts user-created Minecraft: Java Edition projects. Modrinth+ costs $4.99 a month, billed at $4.99/mo, with annual billing saving 16%. It adds ad-free browsing, creator support and a profile badge; it is for readers who want those benefits, not a required purchase for browsing the catalogue.

Hosting is priced separately. The customized plan starts at $5 / month and offers customized server specifications. Small costs $10 / month, billed quarterly, for 4 GB RAM, 32 GB storage and 2 shared CPUs (bursts up to 4); Medium is $15 / month, billed quarterly, for 6 GB RAM, 48 GB storage and 3 shared CPUs (bursts up to 6); Large is $20 / month, billed quarterly, for 8 GB RAM, 64 GB storage and 4 shared CPUs (bursts up to 8). Those three fixed plans are out of stock, so they are not practical options to count on now. Readers comparing hosting should weigh the brief US-only free offer against the paid plans' recurring cost and availability.

Platforms

The Modrinth website is available on the web, and the app is offered for Windows, macOS and Linux. The API supports integrations, while Linux app users should allow for configuration-dependent issues. Modrinth says its data is stored in the EEA, encrypted in storage and transit, and not sold.

Who it's for

Modrinth is a strong fit for Minecraft Java players who value searchable project discovery, loader and version filtering, and a choice of launcher workflows. It also suits creators who need team controls, publishing automation or project performance and revenue reports. It is less suitable for someone seeking a stable, finished desktop launcher above all else, or a readily available fixed-price server plan.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free project hosting and detailed discovery tools make it straightforward to find Minecraft Java content by version and loader.
• Pros: The open-source app, API integrations and Minotaur plugin give players and creators several ways to fit Modrinth into their workflows.
• Pros: Creator permissions and page-view, download and revenue reports support collaborative project maintenance.
• Cons: The app remains in public beta, and Linux builds may have problems on some configurations.
• Cons: The fixed Small, Medium and Large hosting plans are out of stock, while the free server offer lasts only five days and is limited to US servers.

Alternatives

For another Minecraft project catalogue, CurseForge offers free web access to Minecraft mods and modpacks; its free plan may suit readers who want a web-only catalog rather than Modrinth's app and creator-tool mix. Readers comparing broader choices can browse Minecraft Mod Browsers.

Vortex is a free, open-source Windows mod manager with a Nexus Mods connection, so it is worth considering for readers whose mod-management needs center on that ecosystem rather than Minecraft discovery. Modrix is another free option for Windows, Linux and macOS. Mod Organizer 2 is free and open source for supported Windows versions, but not for Windows Store or Gamepass versions. FlairX Mod Manager is a free Windows option; RimSort is free on Windows, macOS and Linux; Corkscrew is free and open source on Linux and macOS; and Zephyr is free on Windows, macOS and Linux. For a wider comparison, see Game Mod Managers and Minecraft Launchers.

Verdict

Choose Modrinth if you want a free, Minecraft-focused project directory with useful compatibility filters and a connected set of player and creator tools. Its breadth is compelling, but readers who need a polished launcher or dependable fixed-price hosting should look elsewhere until the beta and out-of-stock plans are less of a constraint.