Glowstone

Spec sheet

Purpose

The project aims to provide a lightweight Bukkit API and Minecraft server when exact vanilla functionality is unnecessary or higher performance is desired.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Product

Glowstone is a lightweight, open-source Minecraft server written in Java for Minecraft: Java Edition.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Security

The official pages opened do not state security certifications or compliance claims.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Support

The maker directs users to its documentation, FAQ, and Discord chat for help.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Bedrock compatibility

The documentation says the project does not have the time and resources to work on a Bedrock Edition port.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.glowstone.net

Customization

Glowstone is MIT-licensed, and the maker says users can modify it to suit their server’s needs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Java requirement

The documentation recommends OpenJDK 8 and says Java 8 update 101 or greater is required.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.glowstone.net

Maturity

The maker says Glowstone is not feature-complete compared with the vanilla server and is not ready for survival servers.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Maven

Glowstone and Glowkit are available as Maven dependencies from the project repository.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Networking API

The FAQ says Glowstone does not implement a Packet API, and ProtocolLib does not support Glowstone networking internals.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.glowstone.net

Older Minecraft versions

The documentation says the project has decided not to support older Minecraft versions and updates when the Bukkit API is updated by the Spigot and Paper teams.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.glowstone.net

Open source

Glowstone is released under the MIT license, and the project says its code is original rather than based on internal Minecraft code.Read 8 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Performance

The maker says Glowstone’s simpler, original implementation can improve performance over CraftBukkit and other servers.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Plugin APIs

Glowstone natively supports plugins written for the Bukkit, Spigot, and Paper APIs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Plugin limitation

Plugins that rely on CraftBukkit or Minecraft internal packages such as NMS or OBC may not work; Linkstone compatibility is incomplete.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Plugin support

Glowstone natively supports plugins written for the Bukkit, Spigot, and Paper APIs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Project status

The project warns that Glowstone is not feature-complete and may have missing features compared with vanilla server software.Read 8 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Recommended use

The project says Glowstone is best suited to lobbies, hubs, minigames, and creative servers, and is not ready for survival servers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Run mode

Glowstone is a standalone Java server executable that can be run from a terminal.Read 8 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Runtime

Glowstone is a standalone Java server executable that can be run from a terminal.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Sponge compatibility

The documentation says official Sponge plugin support was dropped and is unlikely to be added.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.glowstone.net

Sponge plugins

The FAQ says official Sponge plugin support was dropped and is unlikely to be added.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.glowstone.net

Suggested use

The maker says Glowstone is best suited to lobbies, hubs, minigames, and creative servers.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Supported versions

The site lists its latest build for Minecraft 1.12.2 and a development build for Minecraft 1.19.Read 8 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Versions

The maker’s download page lists a release and latest build for Minecraft 1.12.2 and a development build for Minecraft 1.19.Read 9 Oct 2026 · glowstone.net

Where Specifiction places it

• Minecraft Server Software#12 of 257.7