papermc-docker vs Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted game servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | papermc-docker | Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | ≈5-minute setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 94 · Excellent | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | Game Servers | Game Servers |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Shell | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 14,329 | ★ 1,864 |
| First released | 2014 | 2019 |
| Replaces | Minecraft Realms | Minecraft Realms |
What are papermc-docker and Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server?
papermc-docker
The itzg Minecraft Server is a popular open-source Docker image for running Minecraft Java and Bedrock servers. It auto-downloads server jars, handles mods and plugins, and configures the world from environment variables.
- Auto-downloads server jars
- Supports Paper, Forge, Fabric and more
- Environment-driven configuration
- Plugin and mod auto-install
Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server
Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server packages the Minecraft Bedrock dedicated server into a container with automatic downloads of the chosen version and configurable server properties. It makes hosting cross-device Bedrock worlds simple.
- Bedrock dedicated server
- Automatic version downloads
- Configurable properties
- Cross-device play
papermc-docker vs Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server: key differences
Both projects are written in Shell. Papermc-docker is the more established project (first released 2014), while Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server arrived in 2019. Papermc-docker has the considerably larger community, at 14,329 GitHub stars versus 1,864.
Why pick each one
Choose papermc-docker if…
- Extremely easy Minecraft hosting
- Excellent documentation
Watch out for
- Minecraft-only
- Java memory tuning needed
Choose Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.9k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is papermc-docker or Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server better?
Neither is universally better. papermc-docker has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are papermc-docker and Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server free and open-source?
Yes. papermc-docker is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run papermc-docker and Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server with Docker?
papermc-docker: yes. Docker Minecraft Bedrock Server: yes.