Refract vs X Minecraft Launcher

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.

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.