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NeoForge Minecraft: complete guide (installation, mods, migration)
If you follow the news of Minecraft modding, you have certainly heard of NeoForge. This new mod loader is gradually replacing Forge as the standard for recent versions of the game. The biggest modpacks of 2026 All The Mods 10, Better MC 5, All the Mons are already running on it.
But concretely, what is NeoForge Minecraft, how is it different from Forge and Fabric, and how do you get started? This guide covers everything: the history of the project, installation (client and server), the best NeoForge mods, and migration from Forge if you have an existing server.
What is NeoForge?
NeoForge is a mod loader for Minecraft, meaning software that allows you to load and run mods. It serves the same purpose as Forge or Fabric, but with a modernized approach.
The history: from Forge to NeoForge
Forge has existed since 2011 and has long been the only serious loader for Minecraft. For over a decade, it was THE standard for modding. However, over the years, tensions arose within the development team regarding the direction of the project and its governance.
In 2023, a large part of the Forge team (including the main maintainer, cpw) left the project to create NeoForge, a fork of Forge with more open governance, faster development, and modernization of the code. Since then, NeoForge has become the default loader for Minecraft versions 1.20.5+, and almost all major new modpacks have adopted it.
Forge continues to exist and still receives updates, but the ecosystem is clearly migrating towards NeoForge. For versions 1.20.1 and earlier, Forge remains relevant. For versions 1.20.5 and above, NeoForge is the recommended choice.
NeoForge vs Forge: technical differences
For players, the difference is almost invisible: you install NeoForge just like you would install Forge, the mods go in the same /mods folder, and most recent Forge mods are compatible without modification. NeoForge uses the same modding system (FML) and the same conventions as Forge.
The differences are mainly on the developer side. NeoForge has modernized internal APIs, improved the loading system, and removed obsolete code. The result: slightly better startup times, fewer loading bugs on large packs, and faster updates after each Mojang snapshot.
In practice, if a mod indicates "Forge 1.20.1", it works with Forge. If it indicates "NeoForge 1.21", it works with NeoForge. And many recent mods support both, as porting is trivial.
NeoForge vs Fabric: which one to choose?
Fabric and NeoForge coexist with different philosophies. Fabric is a lightweight and minimalist loader, particularly appreciated for optimization mods (Sodium, Lithium, Iris). It starts quickly, consumes few resources, and targets players who want an improved Minecraft without radically changing it.
NeoForge (and Forge before it) is designed for heavy content mods: Create, Botania, Applied Energistics, Mekanism, and modpacks with 200+ mods. Its API is richer, allowing modders to modify the game in depth. The trade-off: slower startup and higher memory consumption.
Choose Fabric if you mainly want performance mods and a few quality-of-life mods, or if you play solo with a modest PC.
Choose NeoForge if you want to play complete modpacks (ATM10, Better MC 5, RLCraft) or if you use technical/magic content mods. It is also the default choice for modded community servers.
For an overview of the mods available on each loader, check out our Minecraft mods catalog.
Installing NeoForge (client)
Client-side installation is simple and takes a few minutes.
With the official launcher
Go to the official NeoForge website (neoforged.net) and download the installer corresponding to your version of Minecraft. Launch the downloaded .jar file (Java must be installed on your PC, Java 21 for Minecraft 1.21+). Select "Install client", check that the path points to your .minecraft folder, then click OK. The installation automatically creates a new profile in the official Minecraft launcher. Launch the game with this profile, and NeoForge is active.
To add mods, place the .jar files in the .minecraft/mods/ folder (automatically created on the first launch with NeoForge).
With CurseForge / Modrinth
If you are installing a modpack, it’s even simpler. Open the CurseForge app or the Modrinth launcher, search for the desired modpack (for example "All The Mods 10"), click Install. The launcher automatically downloads NeoForge, all the mods, and the configurations. You just have to click Play.
This is the recommended method for beginners: no manual manipulation, everything is managed by the launcher.
Installing NeoForge on a server
Via OuiPanel
On a OuiHeberg server, installation is done in a few clicks. Log in to OuiPanel, stop your server, then go to the Version Manager. In the list of available versions, select NeoForge and choose the version corresponding to your Minecraft (for example NeoForge 1.21.1). Click Install, wait for the download, then start the server.
For modpacks, it’s even more straightforward: go to Version Manager → Modpack, search for the desired pack, and click Install. OuiPanel automatically deploys NeoForge, the mods, and the optimal configuration. Check out our modpack installation guide for a detailed tutorial.
Manually (dedicated server)
If you manage a VPS or dedicated server, download the NeoForge installer from neoforged.net. Run it with the --installServer option:
java -jar neoforge-<version>-installer.jar --installServer
This generates the necessary files in the current folder. Start the server with the run.sh (Linux) or run.bat (Windows) script created by the installer. Accept the EULA by modifying eula.txt, then restart. The /mods folder is automatically created; place your .jar mod files there.
Make sure to use Java 21 for Minecraft 1.21+ and allocate enough RAM (6-8 GB minimum for a modded pack).
The best NeoForge mods in 2026
The NeoForge mod ecosystem is growing rapidly. Here is our selection of essential mods, categorized.
Embeddium The Sodium port for NeoForge. Doubles FPS on the client side. Essential for any NeoForge installation. Embeddium on CurseForge
ModernFix Reduces RAM consumption and speeds up startup by 10 to 30 seconds on large packs. Works in the background without configuration. ModernFix on CurseForge
FerriteCore Optimizes blockstate storage in memory. Gains 30-40% RAM on heavy packs. FerriteCore on Modrinth
Canary NeoForge port of Lithium. Speeds up physics, mob AI, and block ticks on the server side. Typical gain of 20-40% MSPT. Canary on CurseForge
Create The most popular mechanical machines mod in the community. Gears, trains, advanced automation, steampunk aesthetics. Create on CurseForge
Mekanism Complete technology suite: energy, ore processing, MekaSuit armor, fusion reactor. A pillar of tech modding. Mekanism on CurseForge
Applied Energistics 2 (AE2) Digital storage and automation system via network. Essential for managing inventory in 200+ mod packs. AE2 on CurseForge
JEI (Just Enough Items) Displays all recipes and uses for each item. Essential from the first mod installed. JEI on CurseForge
Oculus NeoForge port of Iris Shaders. Allows loading shaders (BSL, Complementary) over Embeddium. Oculus on CurseForge
Sophisticated Backpacks Modular backpacks with automatic sorting, feeding, and filtering. Perfect for exploration and mobile storage. Sophisticated Backpacks on CurseForge
For a complete list of optimization mods specifically for NeoForge, check out our dedicated guide to optimizing TPS and FPS with NeoForge. And for a broader view including all loaders, find our selection of the best Minecraft mods.
Migrating from Forge to NeoForge
If you have an existing Forge server and want to switch to NeoForge, the migration is relatively simple as long as you check a few points.
Check mod compatibility
Before any migration, list your current mods and check on CurseForge or Modrinth if a NeoForge version exists for each. Most Forge 1.20.1+ mods already have a NeoForge port, but some older or niche mods may not be available.
Focus primarily on the "core" mods of your pack: the mod loader (obviously), the main content mods (Create, Mekanism, etc.), and compatibility mods (JEI, FTB Library). Cosmetic or secondary mods can be replaced with alternatives if necessary.
Migration steps
Back up everything. Make a complete backup of your server (world, configs, mods). On OuiPanel, use the one-click backup feature.
Install NeoForge. In OuiPanel, change the server version from Forge to NeoForge (same Minecraft version). On a dedicated server, reinstall with the NeoForge installer.
Replace the mods. Download the NeoForge versions of each mod. Replace the .jar files in the /mods folder. Do not mix Forge and NeoForge mods in the same folder; use only NeoForge versions.
Test. Start the server and monitor the console for errors. Forge worlds are compatible with NeoForge: your builds, inventories, and progress are preserved.
What to do if a mod is not compatible?
If a critical mod does not have a NeoForge version, you have three options. Look for an alternative: most popular mods have equivalents on NeoForge. Wait: modders are actively porting their mods, and a version may arrive in the following weeks. Stay on Forge: if your pack depends on exclusively Forge mods, there is no urgency to migrate. Forge still works perfectly for versions 1.20.1 and earlier.
NeoForge FAQ
Is NeoForge free?
Yes, NeoForge is completely free and open source, like Forge and Fabric. The project is maintained by a community of volunteer developers and funded by donations. You can download it, use it, and redistribute it freely.
Does NeoForge support shaders?
Yes, via the Oculus mod (port of Iris) combined with Embeddium (port of Sodium). Install these two mods, then add any shader pack (BSL, Complementary Shaders, Sildur's). The rendering is identical to what you would get with Iris + Sodium on Fabric.
NeoForge is establishing itself as the natural successor to Forge for modern Minecraft modding. If you are starting a new server or a new pack in 2026, it is the loader to prioritize for versions 1.20.5+. Installation is simple, the mod ecosystem is growing every month, and compatibility with existing Forge worlds makes the transition easier.