Modrinth

The full write-up

Overview Modrinth is a Minecraft: Java Edition project directory and modding platform, best suited to players and creators who want discovery, publishing and mod management in one ecosystem. Its free project platform is the clearest reason to choose it; the desktop app remains in public beta, and server hosting has separate costs and availability limits. Key features Finding and organizing projects Search and filters, including game-version filters, help players narrow a catalogue of mods, plugins, data packs, shaders, resource packs and modpacks. Support for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, plus dependency information, makes compatibility easier to assess before assembling a setup. Collections and download tracking help users keep tabs on projects. The focus is specifically Minecraft: Java Edition, so this is not a general-purpose mod directory. Launcher and integrations The open-source Modrinth App can install, uninstall and update mods, and share modpacks. That makes routine mod management more convenient than handling files individually, but its public-beta status is a meaningful caveat for players who need a mature, dependable launcher. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux; Linux users should expect that some systems or configurations may have issues. Modrinth's open-source API also supports integrations with ATLauncher, MultiMC and Prism Launcher, giving players a route to use its projects without making the Modrinth App their launcher. Creator and server tools Creators can manage team roles and permissions, receive ad revenue, and review page-view, download and revenue reports. Minotaur, a Gradle plugin, automates publishing build artifacts to Modrinth, which is useful for development workflows. Hosting supports Minecraft Java versions back to 1.2.5 and loaders including Fabric, Quilt, Forge, NeoForge, Paper and Purpur, subject to version support. A free 3 GB server is offered for five days without a credit card, but only for US servers, so it is a short trial rather than a durable free community server. Pricing The Modrinth platform is free for hosting user-created Minecraft: Java Edition projects. Modrinth+ costs $4.99 a month, billed $4.99/mo; annual billing saves 16%. It adds ad-free browsing, creator support and a profile badge, so it is a discretionary way to support creators rather than a requirement for using the project platform. Hosting has its own pricing. 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). Small, Medium and Large are out of stock, which makes the customized plan the only paid hosting option described as currently purchasable. The free five-day server is better for a brief trial than ongoing use. Platforms The website is available on the web, and the Modrinth App supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Linux compatibility can vary by system and configuration. The platform also provides an API for launcher integrations. Modrinth says user 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 version-aware project discovery, clear dependency information and an open-source route to managing mods. It also suits creators who need team permissions, project analytics and an automated Gradle publishing path. Players who depend on a stable desktop launcher should weigh the beta status, while communities outside the US or needing long-term free hosting should look elsewhere for a server. Pros and cons Pros: Free project hosting and focused game-version filters make it useful for finding Minecraft Java content without a paid subscription. Pros: The open-source app, API and Minotaur plugin support both player workflows and creator publishing. Pros: Creator roles, permissions and performance reports give teams practical tools for managing projects. Cons: The Modrinth App is in public beta, and Linux builds may have system-specific issues. Cons: The free server offer lasts only five days and is limited to US servers; the three specified paid tiers are out of stock. Alternatives Choose CurseForge if its free web catalog for Minecraft mods and modpacks better fits a browser-only workflow; its paid plan adds ad-free browsing and instant downloads. For a wider set of mod managers, see Mod managers or the Minecraft launchers directory. Vortex is a free, open-source Windows manager from Nexus Mods, while Modrix is a free, open-source option for Windows, macOS and Linux. RimModManager is another free, open-source choice for those three desktop platforms. Windows-only users can consider the free, open-source FlairX Mod Manager or Mod Organizer 2 ; the latter requires Windows 10 1809 or later or Windows 11 and does not support Windows Store or Game Pass versions. Prismo is a free, open-source choice for Linux, macOS and Windows. Corkscrew is free and open source for Linux and macOS. Verdict Choose Modrinth if you want a free, Minecraft Java-focused project hub backed by creator tools and an open-source mod workflow. Its discovery and publishing ecosystem is compelling, but the beta launcher and constrained hosting offer make it a less certain choice for players seeking a polished launcher or communities needing dependable, readily available server capacity.