Best Minecraft Launchers in 2026
Updated
In short: Prism Launcher is ranked #1 of 74 as of 8 October 2026, ahead of LabyMod and Refract. The best-ranked option with a free plan is LabyMod. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Thendrask Launcher at $3/mo.
Managing Minecraft installations can involve updates, Java versions, mod loaders, and distinct setups for different packs. Compare automatic updates and Java runtime management with mod loader support, modpack import, and separate instances. A built-in modpack catalog may suit one way of finding packs, while desktop OS support, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing help clarify compatibility and cost. Prism Launcher, Refract, and ATLauncher are among the options to consider. Match the listed capabilities to how you install, organize, and run your Minecraft setups.
74 Minecraft launchers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
74ranked
16free plans on this page
$3/molowest paid tier
8 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Minecraft Launchers 25 channels on this page · 143 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromDesktop OS supportSeparate instancesModpack importMod loader supportJava runtime managementBuilt-in modpack catalog Spec sheet Score
01 Prism Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportWindows, MacOS, and LinuxSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 7/8spec lines stated 9.0
02 LabyMod Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.9
03 Refract Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.6
04 ATLauncher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.5
05 Thendrask Launcher Free planYesPaid from$3one-timeDesktop OS supportWindows; macOS and Linux public betaSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 8/8spec lines stated 8.5
06 Cactus MC Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportWindows, macOS, and LinuxSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 7/8spec lines stated 8.5
07 GDLauncher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.4
08 Minecraft Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importnot statedMod loader supportnot statedJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalognot stated 3/8spec lines stated 8.3
09 FTB App Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.2
10 Modrinth Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesnot statedModpack importnot statedMod loader supportnot statedJava runtime managementnot statedBuilt-in modpack catalognot stated 1/8spec lines stated 8.1
11 MultiMC Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportWindows, macOS 10.13+, and LinuxSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 7/8spec lines stated 8.0
12 Vermeil Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.0
13 Emerald Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportWindows, macOS, and LinuxSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 7/8spec lines stated 8.0
14 Spectra Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.8
15 X Minecraft Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.8
16 Histolauncher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.8
17 KeyVerse Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.8
18 OpenJar Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportnot statedJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 5/8spec lines stated 7.6
19 PolyMC Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.6
20 Plain Craft Launcher 2 Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importfileMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalognot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.6
21 SJMCL Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalognot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.5
22 Fjord Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.5
23 Dawn Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importcatalogMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementnot statedBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 5/8spec lines stated 7.5
24 Onyx Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importbothMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementYesBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.4
25 Portal Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedDesktop OS supportnot statedSeparate instancesYesModpack importcatalogMod loader supportmultipleJava runtime managementnot statedBuilt-in modpack catalogYes 5/8spec lines stated 7.4
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Desktop OS support | Separate instances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prism Launcher | 9.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Windows, MacOS, and Linux | Yes |
| 2 | LabyMod | 8.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 3 | Refract | 8.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 4 | ATLauncher | 8.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 5 | Thendrask Launcher | 8.5 | Free plan | $3/mo | Yes | $3one-time | Windows; macOS and Linux public beta | Yes |
| 6 | Cactus MC Launcher | 8.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Windows, macOS, and Linux | Yes |
| 7 | GDLauncher | 8.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 8 | Minecraft Launcher | 8.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 9 | FTB App | 8.2 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 10 | Modrinth | 8.1 | Free plan | $4.99/mo | Yes | — | — | — |
| 11 | MultiMC | 8.0 | No | — | Yes | — | Windows, macOS 10.13+, and Linux | Yes |
| 12 | Vermeil | 8.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 13 | Emerald | 8.0 | No | — | Yes | — | Windows, macOS, and Linux | Yes |
| 14 | Spectra Launcher | 7.8 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 15 | X Minecraft Launcher | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 16 | Histolauncher | 7.8 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 17 | KeyVerse | 7.8 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 18 | OpenJar Launcher | 7.6 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 19 | PolyMC | 7.6 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 20 | Plain Craft Launcher 2 | 7.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 21 | SJMCL | 7.5 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 22 | Fjord Launcher | 7.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 23 | Dawn | 7.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 24 | Onyx Launcher | 7.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 25 | Portal Launcher | 7.4 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which Minecraft launcher is ranked first on Specifiction?
Prism Launcher is ranked #1 of 74 with a score of 9.0. LabyMod is second and Refract third.
How many of these have a free plan?
16 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Thendrask Launcher has the lowest first paid tier we found: $3/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.
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