Basalt Launcher vs Portal Launcher
Basalt Launcher
github.comPortal Launcher
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Basalt Launcher | Portal Launcher |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (#20) |
| Built-in modpack catalog | Yes | Yes |
| Mod loader support | multiple | multiple |
| Modpack import | catalog | catalog |
| Purpose | Basalt is an open-source Minecraft launcher with an artwork-led interface and tools for managing instances, loaders, content, accounts, and launch settings. | Portal Launcher is an open-source Minecraft launcher for sharing and automatically syncing modpacks with friends. |
| 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 bug reports and suggestions to its GitHub issue tracker. |
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.
Portal Launcher
Portal Launcher has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.