Freedom251 › Minecraft Launchers
Basalt Launcher
What Basalt Launcher is
Basalt Launcher is a free, open-source Minecraft launcher for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It organizes each game setup as a separate instance, keeping saves, mods, resource packs, shaders, settings, and launch options apart. Players can install and switch among Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge, browse Modrinth and CurseForge with compatibility filters, dependency resolution, changelogs, and update checks, or start an instance from a Modrinth modpack.
The launcher manages multiple Microsoft accounts with device-code sign-in and silent token refresh. It can import, preview, save, and apply skins, manage capes, and find compatible Java runtimes from the system and common version managers, with global or per-instance overrides. Download and install tasks can be monitored, cancelled, or recovered after interruption. Separate launcher and game logs, adjustable log levels, and a preview of final launch arguments help users inspect launch activity. Installers are provided for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Arch and Nix options also documented. Basalt is in beta, and its project says platform testing coverage varies.
Who it suits
Basalt suits Minecraft players who want distinct setups for different mods or content, and who use one of its supported desktop systems. It is also a fit for players who want modpack browsing, Java runtime controls, and management for multiple Microsoft accounts in one launcher.
What it does well
- Keeps game files and settings separated by instance.
- Supports Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge.
- Browses Modrinth and CurseForge with compatibility filtering.
- Can locate and override Java runtimes.
- Offers installers for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
What to know first
- Testing coverage varies between platforms during the beta.
- Source builds require users to provide a CurseForge key.
- CurseForge API key applications require manual approval.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basalt Launcher | Open-source Minecraft launcher · Linux, Windows, macOS | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Basalt Launcher GitHub project.
- Choose the installer for Linux, Windows, or macOS, or use the documented Arch or Nix option.
- Install and launch Basalt.
- Create or select an instance, then choose a loader or create one from a Modrinth modpack.
- Connect a Microsoft account using device-code sign-in if needed.
- For a source build, provide a CurseForge key in the build configuration or under Settings → Integrations.
Verdict
Choose Basalt if you want an open-source launcher that combines separate Minecraft instances, mod-loader switching, content browsing, and Java controls. Look elsewhere if you need consistent beta testing coverage across platforms or cannot provide a key for CurseForge access when building from source.
Questions
How much does Basalt Launcher cost?
The Basalt Launcher plan is free. It is open source.
Which operating systems does it support?
Basalt supports Linux, Windows, and macOS. The project says testing coverage varies between platforms during the beta.
Which mod loaders can I use?
It supports installing and switching between Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge.
Can I use a Modrinth or CurseForge modpack?
Basalt supports browsing both services with compatibility filtering, dependency resolution, changelogs, and update checks. You can create an instance directly from a Modrinth modpack.
Do source builds include CurseForge access?
Release builds include a CurseForge key. Source builds require a key set at build time or entered in Settings → Integrations; API key applications require manual approval.
Is Basalt affiliated with Mojang or Microsoft?
No. Basalt says it is not an official Minecraft product and is not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.
Facts from Basalt Launcher's own pages
- Accounts and cosmetics
- It supports multiple Microsoft accounts with device-code sign-in and silent token refresh, and lets users import, preview, save, and apply skins and manage capes. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Built-in modpack catalog
- Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Content integrations
- It can browse Modrinth and CurseForge with compatibility filtering, dependency resolution, changelogs, and update checks. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- CurseForge setup
- The README says release builds ship with a CurseForge key, while source builds require a key set at build time or entered under Settings → Integrations. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- CurseForge setup limit
- Release builds include a CurseForge key, while source builds require users to provide their own key; CurseForge must manually approve API key applications. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop platforms
- Basalt describes itself as cross-platform software for Linux, Windows, and macOS, and notes that testing coverage varies between platforms during the beta. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Diagnostics
- The launcher separates its logs from game output, allows changing log levels, and can preview final launch arguments. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Downloads and diagnostics
- Users can monitor downloads and installs, cancel active tasks, recover interrupted operations, view separate launcher and game logs, and preview final launch arguments. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Game files
- Basalt says it downloads game files from Mojang's servers and never redistributes them, and states it is not an official Minecraft product or associated with Mojang or Microsoft. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Installers
- The project lists Windows EXE and MSI, macOS DMG, and Linux AppImage and Debian package installers. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Install formats
- GitHub Releases provide Windows .exe and .msi installers, a macOS .dmg, and Linux AppImage and Debian packages; Arch and Nix installation options are also documented. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Instance management
- It keeps saves, mods, resource packs, shaders, settings, and launch options separate for each instance. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Java runtime management
- Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Java runtimes
- It detects compatible Java runtimes from the system and common version managers, with global and per-instance overrides. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The maker's GitHub profile describes MegalithOfficial as working on machine learning systems and identifies its owner as a backend developer; it gives no headquarters or founding date. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Minecraft affiliation
- The project states it is not an official Minecraft product and is not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Mod loaders
- It supports installing and switching between Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Mod loader support
- multiple · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Modpack import
- catalog · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Modpacks
- It can create an instance directly from a Modrinth modpack. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms and beta
- Basalt supports Linux, Windows, and macOS, and the project says testing coverage varies between platforms during the beta. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Basalt is an open-source Minecraft launcher written in Rust. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Basalt is an open-source Minecraft launcher with an artwork-led interface and tools for managing instances, loaders, content, accounts, and launch settings. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The README tells users not to commit an API key or include one in a bug report. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Basalt Launcher stands on Freedom251
- Minecraft Launchers#19 of 76