papermc-docker vs mc-router

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted game servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
Featurepapermc-dockermc-router
CategoryGame ServersGame Servers
LicenseApache-2.0Apache-2.0
LanguageShellGo
Setup difficultyEasyMedium
Min. RAM1,024 MB64 MB
Deploymentdocker, kubernetesdocker, kubernetes, binary
GitHub stars★ 14,076★ 883
First released20142019
ReplacesMinecraft RealmsManual port mapping

Why pick each one

Choose papermc-docker if…

  • Extremely easy Minecraft hosting
  • Excellent documentation
papermc-docker details

Choose mc-router if…

  • Simplifies multi-server hosting
  • Very lightweight
mc-router details

Frequently asked questions

Is papermc-docker or mc-router better?

papermc-docker is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider mc-router if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are papermc-docker and mc-router free and open-source?

Yes. papermc-docker is licensed under Apache-2.0 and mc-router under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run papermc-docker and mc-router with Docker?

papermc-docker: yes. mc-router: yes.

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