Hello Minecraft! Launcher

What Hello Minecraft! Launcher is

Hello Minecraft! Launcher (HMCL) is a free, open-source launcher for Minecraft, developed by Hello Minecraft! Launcher, a project founded in 2015. It brings mod management, game customization, mod loader installation and modpack creation together with controls for customizing the launcher interface. Supported loaders include Forge, NeoForge, Cleanroom, Fabric, Legacy Fabric, Quilt, LiteLoader and OptiFine. HMCL can find and download mods from CurseForge and Modrinth. It imports Curse, MultiMC and Modrinth modpacks, and exports HMCL, MultiMC and MCBBS packs. Its Java tools manage Java installations and select a suitable version for different Minecraft releases; the documentation recommends separating game instances to avoid file and mod conflicts. Interface options include multiple color schemes and custom background images. The project lists Windows, Linux, macOS and FreeBSD support, with CPU architectures including x86, ARM, RISC-V, MIPS and LoongArch. Stable downloads cover Windows 7 or later, macOS 13 or later, and universal Linux or FreeBSD builds that require Java 17 or later. HMCL is licensed under GPLv3 with additional terms for modified versions and the displayed copyright notice. Minecraft play requires a purchased Microsoft account or an offline or external account.

Who it suits

HMCL suits Minecraft players who want a free launcher with mod tools, modpack handling and Java management. It is also relevant to users who want to customize the launcher and run it on Linux, macOS, Windows or FreeBSD.

Limits

The stable macOS download requires macOS 13 or later; the universal Linux and FreeBSD builds require Java 17 or later. Minecraft play requires a purchased Microsoft account or an offline or external account.

Getting started

1. Visit the HMCL website.
2. Choose a stable build for Windows 7+, macOS 13+, or Linux/FreeBSD.
3. For the universal Linux or FreeBSD build, use Java 17 or later.
4. Use a purchased Microsoft account or an offline or external account to play Minecraft.
5. Import a supported modpack or set up a game instance and manage its mods.

Verdict

Choose HMCL if you want a free, open-source Minecraft launcher with broad loader support, modpack tools and Java management. Check the stable download requirements for your operating system, and make sure you have an accepted account type for Minecraft play.