The 10 Best Minecraft Modpacks to Play in 2026

The best Minecraft modpacks are not necessarily the ones with the most mods or the highest download counts. For server play, what matters is whether the pack provides server files, a clearly identified version, a compatible loader, and a community that still maintains the project.

We reviewed the official CurseForge pages, game versions, update dates, and server-pack availability. The result is this selection of 10 Minecraft modpacks to play with friends in 2026: eight current or reasonably maintained choices and two classics that still attract substantial interest. The information was verified on July 24, 2026.

Quick answer: choose Better MC BMC5 for a beginner-friendly experience that stays close to vanilla; All the Mods 10 for a long-running server; Prominence II, Cisco's RPG, or DawnCraft for an RPG campaign; Cobblemon for catching and battling creatures; and GT New Horizons if your group wants months of technical progression.

The 10 best Minecraft modpacks for servers in 2026

*These figures are editorial starting points for a small or medium group, moderate view distance, and a new world; they are not official requirements unless stated otherwise. World generation, farms, loaded chunks, and player count can change resource use substantially.

How we selected these modpacks

Articles from other hosting providers commonly target searches such as “best Minecraft modpacks,” “top Minecraft modpacks,” “modpacks to play with friends,” “Minecraft modpack server,” and “modpack server hosting.” Those phrases are useful, but a list can be outdated even when its title shows a new year. We therefore applied five filters:

• Real activity: the date of the latest stable release, not merely the article date.
• Compatibility: verified Minecraft version and loader—Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge.
• Multiplayer readiness: an official server pack or official server instructions.
• Variety: Vanilla+, RPG, technology, skyblock, creatures, and difficult survival.
• Demand: sustained popularity and usefulness for players looking to share a world.

1. All the Mods 10 (ATM10): the complete choice for a long-running world

Project artwork from the official All the Mods 10 CurseForge page.

All the Mods 10 is built for the group that can never agree on one theme: it covers technology, magic, building, exploration, and its own endgame. Its official page lists Minecraft 1.21.1 with NeoForge, roughly 500 mods, and more than 20 million downloads. Version 7.2 and its server pack were released on July 20, 2026.

Its strength: different players can specialize without leaving the same server. Its challenge: this is a large pack; initial loading, dimension generation, and late-game factories need strong single-core CPU performance, fast storage, and enough memory. We suggest starting at 10–12 GB for a small group and monitoring TPS, memory, and force-loaded chunks before scaling.

2. Better MC BMC5: the best introduction to modpacks

Project artwork from the official Better MC BMC5 CurseForge page.

Better MC BMC5 expands the vanilla experience with biomes, structures, bosses, creatures, quality-of-life additions, and shader support without turning the game into a spreadsheet. BMC5 runs on Minecraft 1.21.1 and NeoForge; stable version v51 and its matching server pack were released on June 29, 2026.

It is our recommendation for players new to modded Minecraft or communities that want to explore and build without an aggressive technical learning curve. Although the page classifies it as relatively light, it contains more than 320 mods. For 4–8 players, 6–8 GB is a sensible starting point.

3. Prominence II: Hasturian Era: an RPG campaign built for groups

Project artwork from the official Prominence II CurseForge page.

Prominence II: Hasturian Era focuses on a story-driven RPG experience with two campaigns, a talent tree, character progression, artifact weapons, and bosses. Version 3.9.27 runs on Minecraft 1.20.1 with Fabric; the client was released on May 10, 2026, followed by the server pack one day later.

It is ideal for a group that needs clear objectives and wants to develop distinct classes. Progression and enemy scaling support multiplayer, but every client and the server must remain on exactly the same release. Starting with 6–8 GB is generally reasonable for a small party.

4. Cobblemon Official Modpack: catch, trade, and battle with friends

Project artwork from the official Cobblemon Fabric CurseForge page.

The Cobblemon Official Modpack combines Minecraft with creature catching, evolution, trading, and battles. Fabric edition 1.7.3 uses Minecraft 1.21.1 and has official server files dated February 3, 2026. The project itself recommends the Fabric edition over NeoForge for better performance.

It is one of the easiest packs for a group to understand: each player can explore, complete a collection, and organize battles without learning a huge technology chain. The project lists 2.5 GB as the minimum client memory and 3 GB or more for better performance; for a multiplayer server, we suggest starting with 4–6 GB and measuring real usage.

5. Cisco's Fantasy Medieval RPG [Ultimate]: combat and medieval fantasy

Project artwork from the official Cisco's Fantasy Medieval RPG CurseForge page.

Cisco's Fantasy Medieval RPG [Ultimate] features animated combat, dodging, skill trees, origins, custom gear, hundreds of structures, five dimensions, and more than 200 quests. Version V8E for Minecraft 1.19.2 with Forge and its server pack were released on June 1, 2026.

It works particularly well on a role-based server: tanks, damage dealers, magic users, and explorers can cooperate within one party. Its world generation and RPG content make 8–10 GB a good starting point, and pre-generating a region can help when several players explore in different directions.

6. Vault Hunters Third Edition Remastered: short runs inside a long campaign

Project artwork from the official Vault Hunters Remastered CurseForge page.

Vault Hunters Remastered combines base building with runs through generated vaults, loot, skills, equipment, bosses, and an artifact-based final objective. Version 2.0.1 for Minecraft 1.18.2 with Forge and its server files were released on July 23, 2026, only one day before this review.

It is a strong choice for friends who cannot always play for hours: each vault works as a focused session, while the shared base retains long-term progression. Important: the team says Remastered is intended for new worlds, not as a direct upgrade for an older Vault Hunters 3 world. Consider 8–10 GB to start.

7. DawnCraft: Echoes of Legends: Minecraft transformed into a souls-like RPG

Project artwork from the official DawnCraft CurseForge page.

DawnCraft changes combat and adds quests, reputation, bosses, and action-RPG progression. Stable version 2.0.16_hf runs on Minecraft 1.18.2 with Forge and has had an official server pack since November 20, 2025.

The server is most enjoyable when the group progresses together, because its difficulty and combat punish unprepared players. It is heavier than a Vanilla+ pack, so 8–10 GB, frequent backups, and moderate view distance are prudent starting choices.

8. GT New Horizons: the technical modpack built for months of play

Project artwork from the official GT New Horizons CurseForge page.

GT New Horizons proves that an old Minecraft base version does not make a dead project. It remains on Minecraft 1.7.10 with Forge, yet includes years of development, tightly connected recipes, custom mods, and more than 3,000 quests. Version 2.8.4 was released on January 11, 2026.

This is not for players seeking quick results. It is for a team that enjoys designing processes, sharing infrastructure, and celebrating every technology tier. Its world can last months or years. A 6–8 GB server can be enough at the beginning, but CPU performance and factory design will matter as much as memory later.

9. RLCraft Dregora: difficult survival in a new world

Project artwork from the official RLCraft Dregora CurseForge page.

RLCraft Dregora retains RLCraft's brutal combat and survival while adding Dregora world generation, more than 300 biomes, structures, bosses, variants, and its own story. Version 1.1.2b for Minecraft 1.12.2 with Forge and its server pack were released on December 2, 2025.

This one has an official server recommendation: 8 GB for the best performance. The team also stresses that administrators must use the server pack, read the included README, and avoid an incomplete manual installation. It is an excellent choice for content creators or groups that enjoy losing—and recovering—everything together.

10. SkyFactory 4: the skyblock and automation classic

Project artwork from the official SkyFactory 4 CurseForge page.

SkyFactory 4 begins with almost nothing on a floating island and turns scarcity into an automated factory. It includes more than 30 world types, advancement-based progression, technology, magic, and an optional Prestige mode. Version 4.2.4 runs on Minecraft 1.12.2 and has official server files.

The warning matters: its latest update was on December 13, 2021. It remains here because of sustained demand and enjoyable progression, not because it is a modern pack. Isolate it from other services, use the runtime recommended by the project, avoid adding random mods, and keep backups. For a small group, 6–8 GB usually provides useful headroom.

How much RAM does a modded Minecraft server need?

RAM helps, but it cannot fix a saturated CPU or a poorly designed farm. As a practical reference:

• 4–6 GB: light packs, few players, and relatively small worlds, such as Cobblemon.
• 6–8 GB: Vanilla+, Fabric RPG packs, or moderate classics with 4–8 players.
• 8–12 GB: large packs, complex world generation, several dimensions, or more active groups.
• 12 GB or more: advanced ATM10 worlds, large communities, or bases with substantial automation and loaded chunks.

Do not allocate every available gigabyte to Java: the operating system, panel, and backups also require resources. Observe peak-hour usage and scale based on evidence. Modpack performance depends heavily on CPU IPC and storage, so a Ryzen 9 and NVMe server can feel better than a machine with more memory but a slower processor.

How to install a modpack on a server without breaking the world

1. Confirm the exact modpack release, Minecraft version, and loader.
2. Download the official server pack; do not substitute the client package.
3. Install the Java version required by that Minecraft release.
4. Create a backup before changing mods, configs, or the pack itself.
5. Keep the server and every client on the same version. Even a small mismatch may block connections.
6. Test updates in a separate instance before touching the main world.
7. Accept the EULA, start the server, and monitor console output, memory, CPU, and TPS.

Every modpack on this list is for Minecraft Java Edition. You can also read our overview of Minecraft 26.2 and its technical changes. Once your pack is running, learn how to add a custom icon to a Minecraft Java server.

Minecraft modpack hosting at Teramont

A modpack needs more than “lots of GB.” It needs strong per-core performance, fast storage, DDoS protection, file access, and backups before every update. Teramont Host's Minecraft hosting uses AMD Ryzen 9 processors, DDR5 memory, and NVMe SSD storage, with a panel for files, versions, schedules, and backups.

If you are unsure which plan to choose, give support the pack name, exact version, expected player count, and whether the world already exists. That makes it possible to begin with reasonable capacity and scale when the metrics justify it. For large packs such as ATM10 or Cisco's RPG, do not choose by slot count alone: pack size and world activity matter much more.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Minecraft modpack to play with friends?

For a group with mixed interests, All the Mods 10 offers the most progression paths. Better MC BMC5 is easier for beginners. If everyone wants a campaign, Prominence II or Vault Hunters Remastered usually provides a clearer shared objective.

Do these modpacks work on Minecraft Bedrock?

No. Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge are part of the Minecraft Java Edition ecosystem. Bedrock uses Add-Ons, behavior packs, and resource packs instead.

Can I use plugins and a modpack at the same time?

Not directly on a standard Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge server. Hybrid servers exist, but they add another compatibility layer and can produce difficult-to-diagnose errors. It is usually safer to use the administration mods included or recommended by the pack.

Should I update a modpack as soon as a release appears?

Not on the production world. Read the changelog, create a backup, and test a copy of the server. Some releases change mods, recipes, or world generation and may require a new world; Vault Hunters Remastered is an explicit example.

Do CurseForge or Modrinth install the server too?

Their launchers simplify client installation. For the server, use the server pack or the instructions published by the author. A client package is not always a valid server package.

Conclusion: the best modpack is the one your server can sustain

ATM10 leads this selection for recency, breadth, and server support; Better MC BMC5 is the most beginner-friendly recommendation; Prominence II and Vault Hunters stand out for shared progression; and GT New Horizons remains a benchmark for deep automation.

Before you begin, choose one release, download the official server pack, define a backup policy, and leave resource headroom. When infrastructure stops being the problem, the group can focus on what matters: exploring, building, automating, and surviving together.