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Should I use Neoforged?

Files, News and information from the NeoForged Project - neoforged.net

Depends. If you run or build Forge-style mods for modern Minecraft Java Edition, NeoForge is free, popular, and the safe default. Skip it if you don't mod Minecraft, play Bedrock, or need pre-1.20.1 Forge modpacks.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~15 public sources: official docs and news, GitHub, Maven security pages, hosting providers, and Reddit/forum threads. No structured review sites.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

NeoForge (open source)

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • Mod developers targeting Minecraft 1.21+
  • Modded server owners on modern versions
  • Forge modders migrating after the 2023 split
  • Modpack players wanting broad mod support

Not for

  • Non-technical players wanting plug-and-play
  • Bedrock or console players — Java Edition only
  • Legacy pre-1.20.1 Forge modpacks
  • Anyone needing paid support or SLAs

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Loader lock-in: Forge mods need porting to run on NeoForge; check each mod's loader before building packs

medium

Each Minecraft version update can break mods; migration primers list breaking changes per version

medium

Some Maven artifact pages list CVE identifiers; verify applicability to your exact build before deploying servers

low

Support is community Discord only; response times vary and no SLA exists

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free, open-source modding API for Minecraft: Java Edition
  • Widely adopted as the Forge-style choice for 1.21 modding
  • Official docs cover client install, server install, and troubleshooting
  • Major Minecraft hosts offer NeoForge server support
  • Gave Forge developers a continuity path after the 2023 split

Cons

  • Volunteer-run fork; roadmap depends on community maintainers
  • Forge and NeoForge mods are not interchangeable across loaders
  • Version upgrades require code changes; primers document breaking changes
  • Ongoing community confusion about what NeoForge actually is

Sources & method

Analyzed 10/01/2026 - 13 sources - No breach reports found; the project runs a security page, and some Maven builds carry CVE flags.

official x7review x4security x1news x1
  • CVE listings on Maven artifact pages, Maven pages for builds such as 20.4.232, 21.1.162, and 21.1.31 list CVE identifiers; confirm whether each applies to your deployed version.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 13

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Completely free, open source, donation-funded
  • Ease of use: 3/5. Install guides and docs, but setup stays technical
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Full modding API; large ecosystem of listed projects
  • Support quality: 3/5. Community Discord and docs; no paid support
  • Security posture: 3/5. Security page exists; CVE flags on some versions
  • Free Price Open source, donation-funded via OpenCollective
  • 2023 Founded Community fork of Minecraft Forge, July 2023
  • 2,053 Ecosystem size Entries on the NeoForged Project Index
  • Yes Free tier No paid tiers exist at all

Pricing

NeoForge (open source)

$0

  • Full loader and modding API
  • Installers, docs, and migration guides
  • Donation-funded via OpenCollective

Security

No breach reports found; the project runs a security page, and some Maven builds carry CVE flags.

  • CVE listings on Maven artifact pagesMaven pages for builds such as 20.4.232, 21.1.162, and 21.1.31 list CVE identifiers; confirm whether each applies to your deployed version.⁷

What users say

Community sentiment is positive for 1.21 modding, with recurring confusion about the Forge split and loader compatibility.

“Does NeoForge run better? Have better mods?”
Reddit, r/feedthebeast
“what is neoforge? i know its a port of forge”
Reddit, r/feedthebeast
“Back on 1.20 it was just known but in 1.21”
Reddit, r/feedthebeast

Alternatives

Compare Neoforged with each alternative.

Companies that use it

  • Apex Minecraft Hosting12
  • CreeperHost
  • Legion Hosting
  • StickyPiston
Full analysis

Based on ~15 public sources: official docs and news, GitHub, Maven security pages, hosting providers, and Reddit/forum threads. No structured review sites.

Free, popular Minecraft mod loader for 1.21+. Use it if you mod Java Edition; irrelevant for everyone else.

Methodology

Based on ~15 public sources: official docs and news, GitHub, Maven security pages, hosting providers, and Reddit/forum threads. No structured review sites.

Sources

  1. NeoForge — A modding API for Minecraft (GitHub)github.com
    official
  2. What is happening? (fork announcement)neoforged.net
    official
  3. NeoForged Project Listingprojects.neoforged.net
    official
  4. Product security pageneoforged.net
    official
  5. Installing a NeoForge Server (docs)docs.neoforged.net
    official
  6. 1.21.11 -> 26.1 Mod Migration Primerdocs.neoforged.net
    official
  7. neoforge 21.1.162 — Maven repositorymvnrepository.com
    security
  8. Why NeoForge is popular in 1.21 (Reddit)reddit.com
    review
  9. What's the difference between Forge and NeoForge? (Reddit)reddit.com
    review
  10. Why is everyone beginning to move to NeoForge (Minecraft Forum)minecraftforum.net
    review
  11. Forge vs NeoForge comparisonspace-node.net
    review
  12. Server Version Updates (Apex Hosting)apexminecrafthosting.com
    news
  13. NeoForged Foundation transactions (OpenCollective)opencollective.com
    official

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