GameBanana vs Modrinth

GameBanana is a free web-based game modding community, with a Minecraft: Java Edition hub for mods and related resources. The hub includes tutorials, threads, works in progress, sounds, questions, requests, scripts and tools, plus featured items, discussions, collections and an exchange. Filters cover game versions and loaders such as Fabric Loader, Forge and NeoForge. GameBanana says it does not sell mods or use paywalls, and ordinary downloads do not require membership; signup is required for NSFW mods. One-click downloading integrates with more than 50 community-developed mod installers. The site documents an API authenticated with an API password, app ID and user ID, and a query parameter that can return JSON for a page module. Its guidance warns that data can change and responses may be large, so caching is needed. RSS feeds for new submissions can be filtered by game or item type. The Minecraft page requires JavaScript. Advertising covers the site’s monthly bills, while contributing members get zero ads. GameBanana describes itself as free and independent since 2001 and provides a support-ticket page.

Modrinth hosts user-created projects for Minecraft: Java Edition, including mods, plugins, data packs, shaders, resource packs, and modpacks. Search and filters help visitors find projects, including by game version. The open-source Modrinth App is a desktop launcher for installing, removing, and updating mods, and sharing modpacks. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, though it is currently in public beta and Linux versions may have issues on some systems and configurations. Modrinth’s open API supports launcher integrations including ATLauncher, MultiMC, and Prism Launcher. Creators can manage team roles and permissions, receive ad revenue, and review page-view, download, and revenue reports. Modrinth Hosting supports Minecraft Java versions back to 1.2.5 and loaders including Fabric, Quilt, Forge, NeoForge, Paper, and Purpur, subject to version support. A free offer provides a 3 GB server for five days for US servers, with no credit card required. The platform has a free plan; Modrinth+ costs $4.99 a month, and customized hosting plans start at $5 a month.