Basalt Launcher vs X Minecraft Launcher
Basalt Launcher
github.com
X Minecraft Launcher
xmcl.appSide by side
| Figure | Basalt Launcher | X Minecraft 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) | 8.5 (#13) |
| Built-in modpack catalog | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platforms | Basalt describes itself as cross-platform software for Linux, Windows, and macOS, and notes that testing coverage varies between platforms during the beta. | The installation guide provides packages for Windows, macOS, and Linux. |
| Java runtime management | Yes | Yes |
| Mod loader support | multiple | multiple |
| Modpack import | catalog | both |
| 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 GitHub for issue reports and Discord for community support. |
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.
X Minecraft Launcher
X Minecraft Launcher (XMCL) is a free, open-source launcher for managing Minecraft game resources and separate game instances. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Users can manage modpacks, resource packs, mods, shader packs, and other resources, with instances covering Forge, Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, OptiFine, and LabyMod; Bedrock support is experimental. Its marketplace gathers modpacks and projects from Modrinth, CurseForge, and FTB. The launcher can import modpacks, manage Java runtimes, and update automatically. Mod tools include dependency inspection and custom groups. Account options include Microsoft, offline, Ely.by, and LittleSkin authentication. World tools let users preview saves, select, copy, or delete chunks, and view structures in 3D. Users can export modpacks and local server files from the launcher. Telemetry is off by default and is processed only if enabled in settings. XMCL says it does not handle Microsoft account passwords, credentials, or session tokens. It is an independent project and is not an official Minecraft product or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.