LabyMod vs Refract

LabyMod 4 is a Minecraft Java Edition client that bundles more than 100 mods into one installation. Its launcher manages multiple instances and game versions, switches accounts, and can start LabyMod, vanilla Minecraft, Forge, Fabric, and other modloaders. A browser covers CurseForge, Modrinth, and more; users can build modpacks or import instances from other launchers. The client supports more than 20 Minecraft Java Edition versions, from 1.8.9 through the current release. Players can choose Fancy or classic Vanilla themes and customize screens. Proximity Voice offers positional audio, push-to-talk or voice activation, and private voice channels without server plugins. The server list includes HD icons and backgrounds, quick join, folders, and live player counts and status. Users can invite friends into a singleplayer world without configuring a server or port forwarding; the product page says the host IP stays protected. The client is free for Windows, macOS, and Linux, but requires a genuine Microsoft Minecraft Java Edition account. A separate iOS and Android app manages profiles, streaks, LabyCoins, and cosmetics; the client itself has no official mobile version.

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.