Blog
Guides and news for running a Minecraft server, written by the ChunkPod Team.
Quality-of-Life Plugins Small Paper SMPs Tend to Keep Installed
The plugins small Paper SMPs tend to keep installed - GriefPrevention, HuskHomes or EssentialsX, LuckPerms with EssentialsX Chat, TAB, CoreProtect, Chunky, BlueMap and head drops - what each one does and how it changes the feel of the server.
ChunkPod Team · · 9 min read
- 10 min read
Year-Based Version Numbers and Unobfuscated Jars: What Changed in How Minecraft Java Ships in 2026
Why Minecraft Java went from 1.21.11 to year-based versions like 26.1, what unobfuscated jars change for Paper plugins and Fabric mods, and what to check before you move a server to 26.x.
minecraftserver-managementupdatesjava-editionpluginsmoddingpaperfabric - 9 min read
Why Plugin Permissions Are Still the Hardest Part of Running a Paper Server
Why most plugin problems on a small Paper server are really permission problems, how LuckPerms groups, inheritance, wildcards and contexts work, and the habits that make permissions easier to manage.
minecraftserver-managementpluginspermissionspaper - 11 min read
Datapacks vs Plugins vs Mods: What Each One Can and Cannot Do on a Server
Where datapacks, plugins and mods sit on a Java Edition server, what each one can and can't change, whether players have to install anything, and how to pick the lightest option for the change you want.
minecraftserver-managementdatapackspluginsmoddingcomparison - 9 min read
Realms, a VPS or a Hosting Provider: What Each One Actually Gives a Small SMP
How Minecraft Realms, self-hosting on a home PC or VPS, and a Minecraft hosting provider compare for a small SMP: how much control each gives over plugins, mods and settings, and how much of the setup, updates, security and uptime lands on you.
minecraftsmpserver-managementhostingcomparison - 8 min read
The Case Against Running Every Popular Plugin
Why a long plugin list costs a Minecraft server memory, startup time, upgrade work and debugging hours, what a deliberate plugin list looks like, and how to prune one that has already grown too long.
minecraftserver-managementpluginsperformance - 8 min read
RAM, Cores and Chunk Count: What Actually Limits a Minecraft Server
Why more RAM and more cores rarely fix a lagging Minecraft server, how single-thread speed, loaded chunks and entities set the real limit, and what to change first.
minecraftserver-managementperformanceoptimizationhardware - 8 min read
Spigot vs Paper vs Purpur: What Each Fork Actually Changes in the Jar
Spigot, Paper and Purpur are a chain of forks, each built on the one before. What each jar adds over the last, from spigot.yml and Paper's chunk system to Purpur's gameplay toggles, and how to choose between them.
minecraftserver-managementpaperspigotpurpurcomparison - 6 min read
What Minecraft 1.21.8 Changes for Server Admins
Minecraft 1.21.8 is a small patch on the Chase the Skies branch. What it means for farms, server jars and protocol versions, how quickly Paper, Fabric and Forge catch up, and why waiting before you update is usually the right call.
minecraftserver-managementupdatesplugins - 8 min read
Why Some Plugins Break Between Minecraft Versions, and How Server Admins Can Read the Signs
Why Paper plugins that reach into NMS break on new Minecraft versions while API-only plugins survive, how the switch to Mojang mappings changes things on 26.1, and how to tell which plugins are safe before you update.
minecraftserver-managementpluginspaperupdates - 9 min read
Chunk Loading, View Distance and Simulation Distance: What Each One Costs a Server
How chunk loading, view distance and simulation distance each cost a Minecraft server in memory, CPU and bandwidth, how chunk tickets work, and how Paper exposes the settings.
minecraftserver-managementperformanceoptimizationchunks - 8 min read
server.properties, Line by Line: The Settings That Actually Change How a Server Feels
The server.properties settings with the biggest effect on how a Minecraft server plays - view-distance, simulation-distance, spawn-protection, network compression and entity broadcast range - and what to keep in mind when changing each one.
minecraftserver-managementperformanceoptimizationconfiguration - 8 min read
Fabric vs Forge vs NeoForge: How the Modded Server Landscape Looks in 2026
Fabric, Forge and NeoForge now define modded Minecraft servers. What each loader is, how their mod catalogs differ, where Sponge and hybrid loaders fit, and how to pick one for a new server.
minecraftserver-managementmoddingfabricneoforge - 9 min read
Vanilla vs Paper vs Folia: Where Each Server Software Fits
What Vanilla, Paper and Folia each change about how a Minecraft server ticks the world, where Folia's regionised threading helps and where it doesn't, and how to pick the right one for your server.
minecraftserver-managementperformancepaperfoliacomparison - 8 min read
Aikar's Flags vs MeowIce's Flags: What Each Set of JVM Arguments Actually Does
What each flag in Aikar's and MeowIce's JVM argument presets does to Minecraft's G1 garbage collector, where the two sets differ, and which one fits your server.
minecraftserver-managementperformanceoptimizationjvm - 7 min read
Velocity vs BungeeCord vs Waterfall in 2026: Where Proxies Stand Now
Waterfall is deprecated, BungeeCord is still here, and Velocity is where new networks land. A clear look at plugin support, player info forwarding and modern version support.
minecraftserver-managementproxyvelocitybungeecord - 5 min read
What Minecraft 1.21.7 Adds and Why Server Admins Should Care
Minecraft 1.21.7 is a small Java Edition hotfix after Chase the Skies: a new music disc and painting, data pack and resource pack version bumps, and bug fixes, plus what server admins should check before updating.
minecraftserver-managementupdatesplugins - 8 min read
What TPS and MSPT Actually Measure, and When Each One Matters
TPS and MSPT measure related things but answer different questions. Here's what each one actually tells you, and why 20 TPS can still feel awful.
minecraftserver-managementperformancetps - 10 min read
Paper vs Purpur vs Pufferfish: Choosing a Performance Fork for a Small SMP
A practical walk through what Paper, Purpur, and Pufferfish actually change, which config knobs matter, and how to pick a performance fork for a small SMP.
minecraftserver-managementperformancepaper - 9 min read
How Small SMPs Actually Grow: Patterns From Long-Running Community Servers
An opinion piece on why most small SMPs die within a month and the social patterns that separate long-running community servers from short-lived ones.
minecraftsmpcommunityserver-management - 7 min read
Modpack Roundup: Notable Multiplayer Modpacks Worth Watching in 2026
A look at multiplayer modpacks with steady server traction in 2026: All The Mods 9, Vault Hunters, Cobblemon packs, Better MC, Create packs and FTB skyblock packs, with the loader each targets and the communities they attract.
minecraftmodpacksmultiplayermodding - 12 min read
Understanding Minecraft TPS: What It Means & How to Improve Server Performance (2026)
Learn what TPS (Ticks Per Second) means in Minecraft, why it matters for server performance, and discover proven methods to diagnose and fix low TPS issues on your server.
minecraftserver-adminperformanceoptimizationtpsserver-lag - 14 min read
Top 10 Minecraft Modpacks for Multiplayer Servers in 2026
Discover the best Minecraft modpacks optimized for multiplayer servers. From tech-focused kitchen sinks to adventure RPGs, find the perfect modpack for your community.
modpackmultiplayerguideserver-setup - 10 min read
How to Host an RLCraft Server in 2026: Complete Setup Guide
Learn how to set up and host an RLCraft server with optimal performance. Covers installation, RAM requirements, recommended settings, and troubleshooting tips.
modpackrlcraftguideserver-setup - 12 min read
How to Fix Minecraft Server Lag: Complete 2026 Guide
Experiencing Minecraft server lag? Learn proven methods to reduce lag, improve TPS, and optimize your server performance. Step-by-step troubleshooting guide.
optimizationperformanceguideserver-management - 8 min read
Paper vs Spigot vs Fabric vs Forge - Which Minecraft Server Type Should You Use in 2026?
A comprehensive comparison of Minecraft server software types. Learn the differences between Paper, Spigot, Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge to choose the right one for your server.
server-typesguideminecraftcomparison - 8 min read
10 Best Minecraft Server Plugins Every Server Owner Needs in 2026
Discover the essential Minecraft server plugins that will transform your server. From permissions management to anti-griefing tools, these plugins are must-haves for any server owner.
pluginsguideminecraftserver-management - 8 min read
10 Best Minecraft Mods to Transform Your Gameplay in 2026
Discover the top 10 Minecraft mods that will completely transform your gameplay experience. From performance boosters to massive content expansions, these mods are must-haves for any Java Edition player.
modsguideminecraftjava-edition - 2 min read
ChunkPod Is in Early Access: How the Waitlist Works
ChunkPod is a Minecraft server host in early access. Here's how the waitlist works, who gets in, and what you can use today without an account.
announcementearly-accesswaitlist