What is NeoForge?
NeoForge is the Minecraft mod loader that most of the Forge team started in July 2023, and it is where many of the big mods went for recent versions. On 1.20.1 mods for Forge and NeoForge stayed largely compatible. From 1.20.2 on they went separate ways, and many of the largest mods chose NeoForge: Create, Mekanism and Applied Energistics 2 build for it on 1.21.1, so most big tech and magic packs for recent versions are NeoForge packs. All the Mods 10 and Pixelmon are two of them.
How to make a NeoForge server
To make a NeoForge server, choose Minecraft 1.21.1 or the version your pack needs, then install the pack:
- Take a backup if the server already has a world.
- Choose NeoForge as the server software on the Minecraft version your pack needs, most often 1.21.1, or let the modpack installer set it.
- Install the pack. Search it on CurseForge, Modrinth or Feed The Beast in the panel, choose the version your players have, and install. At Lodehost the NeoForge build comes from the pack and your previous mods folder is kept under a dated name.
- Start the server and give the first boot of a big pack the extra time it takes to build its caches.
NeoForge server 1.21.1 and newer versions
A NeoForge server runs on Minecraft 1.20.2 and newer, and 1.21.1 is the version with the most NeoForge modpacks. Lodehost's order page lists nine NeoForge versions, from 1.20.4 up to 26.2. Since 26.1 a NeoForge version starts with the Minecraft version it belongs to, so NeoForge 26.1.x is for Minecraft 26.1, which makes a mismatch easy to spot. Java follows the version:
- Minecraft 1.20.2 to 1.20.4: Java 17
- Minecraft 1.20.5 to 1.21.x: Java 21
- Minecraft 26.1 and newer: Java 25
You never pick Java yourself at the hosts we compare; the panel takes it from the Minecraft version.
NeoForge server optimization mods
The NeoForge server optimization mods worth adding to most servers are ModernFix, FerriteCore and spark. ModernFix shortens start times and memory use, FerriteCore cuts the memory of blocks and models, and spark shows what takes time in each tick. Many large packs already include them. If a pack lags while memory is free, the processor is the limit, and a faster core helps more than a bigger plan.
How much RAM does a NeoForge server need?
A NeoForge server for a large 1.21.1 modpack needs about 13 GB of RAM for five players, 18 GB for ten and 28 GB for twenty. With only a few mods it needs much less, about 8 GB for five players. Lodehost starts NeoForge servers at 8 GB for performance mods or a light pack, 12 GB for a large 1.21.1 pack and 24 GB for heavy tech packs with automation or more players.
| Players online | RAM needed | Plan size | Lowest price for that size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 5 | 13 GB | 16 GB | CheapestMinecraftHosting Pro, €12.80 a month in Poland (Warsaw) |
| 6 to 10 | 18 GB | 24 GB | CheapestMinecraftHosting Crew, €19.20 a month in Poland (Warsaw) |
| 11 to 20 | 28 GB | 32 GB | CheapestMinecraftHosting Guild, €25.60 a month in Poland (Warsaw) |
Moving a Forge server to NeoForge
To move a Forge server to NeoForge, change the server software in the panel and install the NeoForge version of your pack. Lodehost stops the server, takes a backup and converts it, and your world and files stay. Mods built for Forge do not load on NeoForge from 1.20.2 up, so install the NeoForge build of each mod instead. One Fabric mod you cannot live without? Sinytra Connector can load many Fabric mods on NeoForge, though not all of them, so test it on a copy first. Older packs stay on Forge server hosting.
Best NeoForge server hosting plans
The best NeoForge server hosting for a large 1.21.1 pack with five players is a 16 GB plan, and 24 GB for ten.
For 2 to 5 players with a large modpack on Java in Poland (Warsaw), the finder recommends Astroworld Hosting Advanced Performance: 16 GB, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, DDR5, for €40.95 a month when you pay monthly. As a new customer you pay €16.38 a month for the first 3 months, 60% off. The best plans at the other two hosts are Lodehost Premium at €46.95 and CheapestMinecraftHosting Pro at €12.80.
| If you want | Host and plan | Memory | Processor | Location | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | CheapestMinecraftHosting Pro | 16 GB | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, DDR5 | Poland (Warsaw) | €12.80 |
| Balanced | Astroworld Advanced Performance | 16 GB | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, DDR5 | Poland (Warsaw) | €40.95 (€36.95 on 24 mo) New customers: €16.38 a month for the first 3 months, 60% off |
| More performance | Astroworld Advanced Performance | 16 GB | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, DDR5 | Poland (Warsaw) | €40.95 (€36.95 on 24 mo) New customers: €16.38 a month for the first 3 months, 60% off |
For a large NeoForge pack with five players, take 16 GB: CheapestMinecraftHosting Pro costs €12.80 a month, and Astroworld Advanced Performance with reserved Ryzen 9 threads €40.95. The biggest NeoForge pack has its own page: ATM10 server hosting.