Side by side
ForgeGradle vs Minecraft Forge
Both stand on minecraft mod development tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
ForgeGradle provides mod-focused Gradle tooling for Forge and FML, including run configurations, mapping conversion, and dependency handling. Developers should account for the documented limitations of its default mapping sets.
Visit ForgeGradle
Pick Minecraft Forge if you want a free, open-source modding API for Minecraft Java Edition or need its mod development resources. Look elsewhere if you need Java–Bedrock cross-play; developers should also account for the Java and IDE prerequisites and choose a build with stability in mind.
Visit Minecraft ForgeThe facts
| ForgeGradle | Minecraft Forge | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | docs.minecraftforge.net | files.minecraftforge.net |
| On minecraft mod development tools | #8 of 35 | #12 of 35 |
ForgeGradle: what it does well
- Free to use on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Generates configurations for three named IDEs.
- Supports client, server, data, and gameTestServer run types.
- Offers dependency handling and optional Jar-in-Jar packaging.
What to know first
- Requires a Java Development Kit and IDE familiarity.
- Default stable and snapshot mappings are typically incomplete.
- Those mapping sets are unavailable from Minecraft 1.17 onward.
Minecraft Forge: what it does well
- Free and open source, with permission to use and modify.
- Installer aims to add Forge to the vanilla launcher.
- Downloads include installers, changelogs, and Mod Developer Kits.
- Documentation covers development topics from events to configuration.
- Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA are explicitly supported.
What to know first
- It supports Minecraft Java Edition, not Java–Bedrock cross-play.
- Mod development requires a Java Development Kit and IDE familiarity.
- The latest build may be less stable than the recommended build.
Alternatives to ForgeGradle Alternatives to Minecraft Forge The whole list