Hello Minecraft! Launcher vs Refract
Hello Minecraft! Launcher
hmcl.huangyuhui.net
Refract
refractmc.netSide by side
| Figure | Hello Minecraft! Launcher | Refract |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 8.2 (#26) | 8.9 (#5) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Instance isolation | The documentation recommends isolating game instances so their mods and files do not conflict. | Each modpack is kept in its own clean instance. |
| Mod loader support | multiple | multiple |
| Modpack import | file | both |
Plans
In their own words
Hello Minecraft! Launcher
Hello Minecraft! Launcher has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Refract
Refract is a free launcher for organizing Minecraft modpacks on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports modpacks from Modrinth, CurseForge, and FTB, with a built-in catalog for finding compatible content. Multiple mod loaders are supported, and modpack import is available through both listed methods. Each pack runs in a separate instance, with its mods, resource packs, worlds, settings, and launch options kept apart. The launcher can install dependencies, update individual mods in place, manage Java runtimes, and apply automatic updates; worlds are preserved during updates. Existing libraries can be imported without mixing files or damaging saves. Users can choose themes, accent colors, sidebar layouts, Java versions, memory limits, and launch behavior. Refract is licensed under GNU GPL v3.0, and its application and website are developed in public. The project uses Tauri and Rust for its native shell. Discord supports player help and project discussions, while GitHub is used for bug reports, change proposals, and code contributions.