Minecraft
Best Minecraft Launchers in 2026
Minecraft launchers help you install and manage game instances, modpacks, loaders, Java versions, and updates. The list covers 75 tools, including desktop, mobile, self-hosted, and API options.
- 76 ranked
- 1
- 2
Prism Launcher
Prism Launcher provides free Minecraft management on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 3
Spectra Launcher
Spectra Launcher is a free desktop program for starting Minecraft and managing separate installations.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 4
X Minecraft Launcher
XMCL is an open-source launcher for Minecraft that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 5
GDLauncher
GDLauncher is a free Minecraft launcher for installing and managing separate game instances on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 6
LabyMod
LabyMod 4 is a free Minecraft Java Edition client that bundles over 100 mods in one installation and includes a launcher for managing multiple instances and versions.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 7
ATLauncher
ATLauncher is a free Minecraft launcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 8
Thendrask Launcher
Thendrask Launcher manages Minecraft instances, modpacks, loaders, Java runtimes, updates, and backups.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 9
Cactus MC Launcher
Cactus MC Launcher runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux as a no-cost Minecraft launcher.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 10
- 11
Modrinth
Minecraft: Java Edition players can use Modrinth to find, play, and share mods, plugins, data packs, shaders, resource packs, and modpacks.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- Web
- Open source
- 12
Refract
For Windows, macOS, and Linux, Refract provides a free way to launch Minecraft.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 13
OpenJar Launcher
OpenJar Launcher is a free, Mac-first Minecraft launcher and modding toolkit for managing instances, modpacks, mods, configs, and launches.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 14
PolyMC
PolyMC is a free, open source Minecraft launcher for managing multiple instances, accounts, mods, worlds, resource packs, and shader packs.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 15
- 16
Onyx Launcher
Onyx Launcher is a free, MIT-licensed open-source desktop launcher for Minecraft on Windows and Linux.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 17
Histolauncher
Histolauncher is a free, open-source Minecraft launcher for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 18
FTB App
The FTB App is Feed The Beast’s desktop launcher for discovering, managing, and playing modpacks.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 19
Fjord Launcher
Fjord Launcher is a free Minecraft launcher for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 20
- 21
Portal Launcher
Portal Launcher is a free, open-source Minecraft launcher for sharing modded instances with friends.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 22
EX Launcher
EX Launcher is a free Minecraft launcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux that manages separate instances, mod loaders, mods, Java versions, and runtime settings.
- Free
- Windows
- Linux
- 23
- 24
- 25
Before you pick
Evaluate launchers by your operating system, support for separate instances, modpack import, loader coverage, Java controls, built-in catalogs, and update automation. Free plans are available on 71 tools, while two list a free trial. Check each entry's Paid from field for a published starting price.
Each tool's facts are read from its maker's own pages, with the day they were read. How we rank · Disclosure