Basalt Launcher vs PolyMC
Basalt Launcher
github.comPolyMC
polymc.orgSide by side
| Figure | Basalt Launcher | PolyMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Minecraft Launchers | 8.6 (#11) | 8.4 (#17) |
| Built-in modpack catalog | Yes | Yes |
| Diagnostics | The launcher separates its logs from game output, allows changing log levels, and can preview final launch arguments. | PolyMC provides access to logs and a way to stop Minecraft if it crashes or freezes. |
| Java runtime management | Yes | Yes |
| Mod loaders | It supports installing and switching between Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge. | The launcher supports installing Forge, Fabric, LiteLoader, and Quilt. |
| Mod loader support | multiple | multiple |
| Modpack import | catalog | both |
| Modpacks | It can create an instance directly from a Modrinth modpack. | PolyMC lists modpack installation from CurseForge, Technic, FTB, FTB Legacy, and Modrinth. |
| Product | Basalt is an open-source Minecraft launcher written in Rust. | PolyMC is an open source Minecraft launcher for managing multiple instances, accounts, and mods. |
| Separate instances | Yes | Yes |
| Support | The project directs users to GitHub Issues for reproducible bug reports and feature proposals, and asks them to include logs, operating system, Minecraft version, and loader when relevant. | The project directs users to create an issue or ask in its Discord server for help. |
Plans
In their own words
Basalt Launcher
Basalt Launcher is a free, open-source Minecraft launcher written in Rust for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It keeps saves, mods, resource packs, shaders, settings, and launch options separate for each instance. Users can install and switch among Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and Forge, browse Modrinth and CurseForge with compatibility filtering, dependency resolution, changelogs, and update checks, and create an instance from a Modrinth modpack. Multiple Microsoft accounts are supported with device-code sign-in and silent token refresh. Skin and cape tools allow importing, previewing, saving, and applying cosmetics. Basalt can locate compatible Java runtimes and set global or per-instance overrides. Downloads and installs can be monitored, cancelled, or recovered after interruption. Separate launcher and game logs, adjustable log levels, and launch-argument previews aid diagnosis. Installers are provided for the three desktop systems, though testing coverage varies by platform during beta. Basalt is not an official Mojang or Microsoft product.
PolyMC
PolyMC is a free, open-source Minecraft launcher for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It manages multiple accounts, mods, and separate instances, with each instance keeping its own folder for mods, resource packs, settings, and other files. The launcher supports Forge, Fabric, LiteLoader, and Quilt, plus modpack installation from CurseForge, Technic, FTB, FTB Legacy, and Modrinth. Individual mods can be installed from CurseForge and Modrinth for the selected loader and game version. PolyMC also manages worlds, resource packs, shader packs, and Java runtimes, and provides logs plus a way to stop Minecraft after crashes or freezes. Users can customize the instance window and theme. The project says its Qt-based launcher remains light on system resources. PolyMC is licensed under GPL-3, while its logo and related assets use CC BY-SA 4.0. The current macOS build supports Apple Silicon; Intel users need the legacy universal build.