How to Make a Modded Minecraft Server
Creating a modded Minecraft server opens up endless possibilities for unique Minecraft experiences. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up your own server, including installing and adding mods to your Minecraft server.
The amount of RAM you need to run a modded Minecraft server will depend on the version, the number of mods, and the number of players you plan to host. Generally, go with at least 6-8GB of RAM to be safe.
You can install Minecraft mods on a platform like Curseforge or Modrinth.
To add Minecraft mods to your server, drag and drop the files you downloaded into the File Manager in the "mods" folder. If this folder doesn't exist, you can make it yourself.
Before doing anything else, you'll want to pick the mod loader that you want to use for your Minecraft server. For Minecraft Java Edition, you have two popular options: Forge and Fabric.
Forge has been around for years, making it the go-to choice for many modders. Most mods, especially large or older ones, are built for Forge.
Forge excels in supporting mods that require dependencies, making it ideal for heavily modded servers or players who want to combine many mods. While stable, most Forge versions can be heavier on system resources compared to Fabric.
To install Forge onto your Minecraft server, check out our dedicated guide for more information.
Although newer, Fabric has a growing library of mods, particularly in areas like optimization (e.g., Sodium) and quality-of-life improvements. Fabric's simplicity and modularity appeal to players who want a quick, hassle-free setup.
Fabric is designed to be lightweight, making it a better choice for players on lower-end PCs or those who prioritize performance. Fabric quickly adapts to new Minecraft versions, often being the first mod loader to support the latest updates.
To install Fabric onto your Minecraft server, check out our dedicated guide for more information.
Install Forge if you’re looking to play with a wide variety of well-established mods or if your favorite mods are only available on Forge. Opt for Fabric if you prefer a lightweight modding experience, faster updates, or just want to focus on optimization and performance.
Once you have picked and installed a mod loader, you can start to install mods for your Minecraft server.
First, you'll want to find the mods that you want to add to your Minecraft server. To download Minecraft mods:
Go to a mod platform like Curseforge or Modrinth.
Follow the installation process for the mods. Sometimes, you'll need to extract a modpack's files using a software like WinRAR or 7ZIP.
Don't want to deal with all this? Just go to the "Mod Manager" section of Apollo Panel on your Sparked Host service. Search for the specific mod that you want to add to your Minecraft server and click "Install".
To install the Minecraft mods you downloaded onto your Minecraft server:
Login to Apollo Panel
Navigate to File Manager
Drag and drop your downloaded Minecraft mods into the "mods" folder. You might need to create a folder named "mods" in the server root directory if it does not already exist.
If you're uploading your Minecraft mods in bulk, you might need to use an SFTP service like Filezilla to upload large quantities of files. Check out our guide on how to use SFTP if you are having trouble moving over a lot of your mods at once.
To configure your Minecraft server mods, you'll want to check the mods folder and the config folder. Usually, the name of a mod's config file will be something like "EXAMPLEMOD.cfg". You can also check the documentation for the mods that you are downloading if you are still confused.
Once you install mods on your Minecraft server, save your files and restart your server to keep your changes. Congratulations, you have successfully added mods to your Minecraft server!
If you require any further assistance, please create a ticket here.
Created By: Johnny D.
Edited By: Mason Baker
Key Takeaways
The amount of RAM you need to run a modded Minecraft server will depend on the version, the number of mods, and the number of players you plan to host. Generally, go with at least 6-8GB of RAM to be safe.
You can install Minecraft mods on a platform like Curseforge or Modrinth.
To add Minecraft mods to your server, drag and drop the files you downloaded into the File Manager in the "mods" folder. If this folder doesn't exist, you can make it yourself.
Step 1: Pick a Mod Loader
Before doing anything else, you'll want to pick the mod loader that you want to use for your Minecraft server. For Minecraft Java Edition, you have two popular options: Forge and Fabric.
Forge
Forge has been around for years, making it the go-to choice for many modders. Most mods, especially large or older ones, are built for Forge.
Forge excels in supporting mods that require dependencies, making it ideal for heavily modded servers or players who want to combine many mods. While stable, most Forge versions can be heavier on system resources compared to Fabric.
To install Forge onto your Minecraft server, check out our dedicated guide for more information.
Fabric
Although newer, Fabric has a growing library of mods, particularly in areas like optimization (e.g., Sodium) and quality-of-life improvements. Fabric's simplicity and modularity appeal to players who want a quick, hassle-free setup.
Fabric is designed to be lightweight, making it a better choice for players on lower-end PCs or those who prioritize performance. Fabric quickly adapts to new Minecraft versions, often being the first mod loader to support the latest updates.
To install Fabric onto your Minecraft server, check out our dedicated guide for more information.
Should I Choose Forge or Fabric?
Install Forge if you’re looking to play with a wide variety of well-established mods or if your favorite mods are only available on Forge. Opt for Fabric if you prefer a lightweight modding experience, faster updates, or just want to focus on optimization and performance.
Once you have picked and installed a mod loader, you can start to install mods for your Minecraft server.
Step 2: Download Minecraft Mods
First, you'll want to find the mods that you want to add to your Minecraft server. To download Minecraft mods:
Go to a mod platform like Curseforge or Modrinth.
Follow the installation process for the mods. Sometimes, you'll need to extract a modpack's files using a software like WinRAR or 7ZIP.
Don't want to deal with all this? Just go to the "Mod Manager" section of Apollo Panel on your Sparked Host service. Search for the specific mod that you want to add to your Minecraft server and click "Install".
Step 3: Install Mods on Your Minecraft Server
To install the Minecraft mods you downloaded onto your Minecraft server:
Login to Apollo Panel
Navigate to File Manager
Drag and drop your downloaded Minecraft mods into the "mods" folder. You might need to create a folder named "mods" in the server root directory if it does not already exist.
If you're uploading your Minecraft mods in bulk, you might need to use an SFTP service like Filezilla to upload large quantities of files. Check out our guide on how to use SFTP if you are having trouble moving over a lot of your mods at once.
Configuring Your Mods
To configure your Minecraft server mods, you'll want to check the mods folder and the config folder. Usually, the name of a mod's config file will be something like "EXAMPLEMOD.cfg". You can also check the documentation for the mods that you are downloading if you are still confused.
Once you install mods on your Minecraft server, save your files and restart your server to keep your changes. Congratulations, you have successfully added mods to your Minecraft server!
If you require any further assistance, please create a ticket here.
Created By: Johnny D.
Edited By: Mason Baker
Updated on: 09/01/2025
Thank you!