Paper vs Spigot vs Purpur: Which Server Jar Should You Use?

If you want a plugin server, you will quickly run into three names: Spigot, Paper, and Purpur. They are closely related, and picking the right one affects performance and how much you can configure. Here is how they compare.

How they relate#

These projects build on top of each other:

• Spigot extends CraftBukkit and adds the plugin API that most plugins target.
• Paper is a fork of Spigot focused on performance and bug fixes, with many extra config options.
• Purpur is a fork of Paper that adds even more gameplay and configuration settings.

Because each one builds on the last, Purpur runs Paper and Spigot plugins, and Paper runs Spigot plugins.

Quick comparison#

Build	Based on	Performance	Plugin support	Config depth
Spigot	CraftBukkit	Good	Bukkit and Spigot plugins	Basic
Paper	Spigot	Better	Bukkit and Spigot plugins	Deep
Purpur	Paper	Better	Bukkit and Spigot plugins	Deepest

Spigot#

Spigot is the long standing standard. It is stable and almost every plugin is tested against it. On its own though, Spigot leaves a lot of performance on the table compared to Paper, and its configuration options are limited.

Choose Spigot only if a specific plugin or tutorial requires it. For most people Paper is a strictly better starting point.

Paper#

Paper is the build most server owners should run. It keeps full plugin compatibility while fixing bugs and adding optimizations that raise your TPS under load. The paper-world-defaults.yml and paper-global.yml files expose settings for view distance, mob spawning, redstone, and more.

Paper is the safe default for survival servers, SMPs, and networks.

Purpur#

Purpur takes Paper and adds a long list of toggles, from ridable mobs to fine grained gameplay tweaks. If you like tuning every detail, Purpur gives you the most control. It stays compatible with the same plugins, so there is little downside beyond a slightly smaller user base.

Choose Purpur if you want maximum configuration and enjoy experimenting.

Which should you pick?#

• New server and not sure: Paper.
• You want the most settings to tweak: Purpur.
• A plugin or guide specifically needs it: Spigot.

What about mods?#

None of these run Forge or Fabric mods. Plugins and mods are different systems. If you want content mods or a modpack, you need Fabric or Forge instead. Start with our guide on installing Fabric mods.

Switching is low risk#

All three read the same world format, so moving from Spigot to Paper or Purpur keeps your world and plugins. Take a backup first, swap the jar, and start the server. See our server update guide for the full process.

Whichever build you choose, Prism Nodes lets you install Paper, Spigot, or Purpur in one click and switch any time. Use code IMSWITCHING for 15% off your first month.