papermc-docker vs OpenXRay

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-dockerOpenXRay
CategoryGame ServersGame Servers
LicenseApache-2.0Custom
LanguageShellC++
Setup difficultyEasyMedium
Min. RAM1,024 MB1,024 MB
Deploymentdocker, kubernetesbare-metal, binary
GitHub stars★ 14,076★ 3,537
First released20142015
ReplacesMinecraft Realmsoriginal X-Ray Engine

Why pick each one

Choose papermc-docker if…

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

Choose OpenXRay if…

  • Released under the Custom license
  • Active community (3.5k GitHub stars)
  • Written in C++
OpenXRay details

Frequently asked questions

Is papermc-docker or OpenXRay better?

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

Are papermc-docker and OpenXRay free and open-source?

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

Can I run papermc-docker and OpenXRay with Docker?

papermc-docker: yes. OpenXRay: check the project docs for container support.

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