Minecraft, considered one of the greatest video games of all time, is widely popular worldwide. It is the best-selling video game ever and has over 140 million active users. If you are also a passionate Minecraft player looking for the best Minecraft launcher, we have got you covered.
Why is having a great Minecraft launcher important? Minecraft launchers are essential for optimizing your game, receiving updates, and managing or customizing game modes. Stick with the article to learn about the top 21 Minecraft launchers in the market.
1. Minecraft Launcher
Included in your purchased Minecraft copy, the Minecraft Launcher, previously known as Mojang Launcher, is the default Minecraft launcher. The launcher has a simple and clean interface and supports a vibrant Minecraft community. It also supports other Minecraft spin-off games like Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Education and will support upcoming Minecraft Legends.
Pros
- Being the official Minecraft launcher, it is fully integrated with Mojang and Microsoft ecosystems.
- It allows you to update your game to the latest version and has a “News” section to keep you informed of the latest happenings in Minecraft world.
Cons
- You are required to create a different profile for each Minecraft mod, which can be hard to manage.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Java
2. ATLauncher
A free Minecraft launcher, ATLauncher is a third-party launcher that allows players to install and manage mod packs easily. It has over 155 mod packs, including many of the most popular ones, such as Sky Factory, SevTech: Ages, Pokehaan Craft, and All The Forge 9. One of the main benefits of using ATLauncher is its user-friendly interface and easy mod pack management.
Pros
- ATLauncher has a server list for finding and joining multiplayer servers to play Minecraft.
- The launcher is also incredibly lightweight and provides excellent frame rate optimization for the game.
Con
- It does not support the game’s Classic and Snapshot versions.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Java
3. MultiMC
If you want a launcher that can efficiently manage multiple instances of Minecraft, MultiMC is among the top choices. It allows players to easily install and manage multiple versions of the game and multiple mods and mod packs. In addition to its mod management features, it also includes many other useful tools, such as a built-in crash report viewer, a log viewer, and support for custom skins.
Pros
- MultiMC launcher is free and open source, meaning advanced players can customize it to suit their needs.
- It allows you to export Minecraft instances and share them with friends and fans.
Con
- The mod packs installed using MultiMC can only run on this launcher. They can’t be used with any other alternative launcher.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
4. SKLauncher
Available on all platforms, SKLauncher is a Minecraft launcher with a clean and elegant look and multi-language support. You can fully customize your characters in the game with the wide variety of skins supported by it. The launcher supports over 20 languages, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Its built-in mod manager can easily install, update, or delete mods with a few clicks.
Pros
- SKLauncher is updated every week, meaning the potential issues are solved within a week.
- It has two different themes, one of them being Matte Black, a dark mode that helps protects your eyesight.
Con
- Java 8 with JavaFX is needed to be installed on your system for SKLauncher to work.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
5. TLauncher
Called the best Minecraft launcher by many users, TLauncher has been a long-used alternative to Minecraft Launcher. Known for its high performance and extremely stable build, it is a launcher that supports all versions of Minecraft. It has a unique skin system with a wide variety and easy installation. When using TLauncher, you can use your official licensed account without worries.
Pros
- This launcher allows you to install Optifine, which can optimize your game and increase its performance by boosting FPS.
- It has a massive catalog of resource packs that can be used to create your own mod builds.
Con
- You will need to buy the TLauncher to use its full features.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
6. GDLauncher
The ability to easily create your own mod packs and customize others make GDLauncher an excellent Minecraft launcher. It has partnered with CurseForge and provides complete integration for mod packs available on CurseForge. You also get a built-in mods manager to manage your Minecraft mods easily. It also allows you to customize the launcher’s appearance and behavior.
Pros
- The mode includes a Potato PC Mode that can be used to resolve performance issues of your computer.
- Your self-created mod packs in this launcher can be exported and used in other launchers.
Con
- It takes a heavy toll on your computer resources and is not recommended for users with low-end systems.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
7. Prism Launcher
An open-source and free Minecraft mod launcher, the Prism Launcher can be customized to suit your needs for playing Minecraft. It includes a built-in resource pack manager that makes managing and switching between different resource packs easy. The launcher allows you to install and update mods from Modrinth and CurseForge.
Pros
- It provides easy management of Minecraft instances, with each instance being assigned to a different folder with all its resources.
- The launcher uses the Qt toolkit, which makes it highly efficient without consuming too many system resources.
Con
- Prism Launch is lacking in skin options compared to other Minecraft launchers.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
8. CurseForge
Official launcher from CurseForge, one of the best websites to download Minecraft mods, the CurseForge launcher is an excellent choice if you like to build your own mods. Using this launcher gives you direct access to the numerous Minecraft modes on the CurseForge website. It offers a sleek user interface and easy management of your mods and resources.
Pros
- Mod developers get active incentives and rewards for developing new Minecraft mods using this launcher.
- CurseForge Launcher is the best Minecraft launcher when playing the modded Minecraft version.
Con
- The launcher is full of annoying ads. To remove the ads, you need to pay a monthly subscription fee.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
9. Technic Launcher
Love to install mod packs for Minecraft to enhance your gaming experience? Technic Launcher is for you as it is the best Minecraft mod pack launcher. The launcher primarily focuses on making mod packs’ installation and management easier for players. It has an improved Solder integration to stabilize the connection when creating or joining multiplayer servers.
Pros
- The launcher can automatically optimize itself to the best-suited settings for your computer.
- It has a wide range of mod packs for Minecraft that can be installed using a couple of clicks.
Con
- While it does offer a wide range of mod packs, many of these are outdated and have performance issues.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
10. PolyMC
PolyMC is a free and open-source Minecraft Launcher that allows users to manage multiple Minecraft instances, accounts, and mods without any trouble. It is a lightweight launcher that requires very few system resources and can be customized with different themes. With this launcher, you can import and update Minecraft mods from Technic, FTB, CurseForge, and Modrinth.
Pros
- It provides you the ability to edit Minecraft instances to suit your needs.
- You can take screenshots of your favorite moments and achievements during Minecraft gameplay.
Con
- Recently, the launcher has been embroiled in controversies that can be a red flag for many users.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
11. Void Launcher
Popular among pro players, Void Launcher is a custom Minecraft mod pack launcher with a huge number of advanced mod packs. The launcher focuses heavily on the building and collaborating community and has one of Minecraft’s most refined catalogs of mod packs. It has a simple interface that is divided into four tabs named news, mod packs, mods, and servers.
Pros
- Its simple interface makes it easier to use and create your own Minecraft mods.
- Due to the strong emphasis on community collaboration, most mod packs have detailed guides and other resources.
Con
- The launcher is only helpful if you have a high-end system, as a single mod pack in this launcher contains at least 30 to 40 mods.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
12. Lunar Client
Have issues with game performance and want a game launcher with excellent FPS-boosting capabilities? Lunar Client is the answer to your dilemma, as its 2-times powerful boosting ability makes it the best MC launcher. This launcher also contains many customizable mods for Minecraft to take your gaming experience to a new level. These mods range from PVP to Skyblock gaming scenarios.
Pros
- It is an all-in-one mod pack that can automatically update your mods.
- Lunar Client supports all the most popular versions of Minecraft.
Con
- It is a resource-intensive launcher that might create issues on lower-end machines.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
13. Feed The Beast
Famous for creating high-quality and challenging mod packs and maps for Minecraft, the Feed The Beast launcher (aka FTB) belongs to the community with the same name. The launcher is similar to the official Microsoft Minecraft Launcher but has many added features. Resources like mod packs, game maps, and texture packs have been added to the launcher for an enhanced game experience.
Pros
- The launcher allows you to easily edit and customize pre-installed mod packs to suit their requirements.
- It can be used along with ATLauncher and MultiMC launcher without any issues.
Con
- The process of the updates for the launcher is very slow and can be a turn-off for many users.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
14. Shiginima Launcher
Primarily known for its ability to boost game performance and enhance game graphics, Shiginima Launcher, previously known as KeiNett Launcher, is a popular choice in the Minecraft community. It has a basic and straightforward interface focused on game performance and doesn’t have too many features. The launcher also has an amazing collection of Minecraft mods.
Pros
- To enhance the game’s graphics, it provides a wide range of files known as shaders.
- The launcher has a horde of skins for users to use and install during the gameplay.
Con
- It is not an official Minecraft launcher and, thus, should be used with non-premium or regular Minecraft accounts.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
15. Titan Launcher
One of the best cracked Minecraft launchers, Titan Launcher, is a Minecraft launcher with an easy-to-use and clean user interface. While the launcher doesn’t offer a lot of features, it makes up for that by offering impressive game speed and performance. The launcher developer has also released many mod packs that are complimented when used with this launcher.
Pros
- It has a dedicated section for custom-created Minecraft worlds, making it very appealing to players.
- All the versions of Minecraft, including the latest one, are supported by this launcher.
Con
- This launcher is only available for Windows and doesn’t support any other platform.
Platforms: Windows
16. BadLion Client
Are you tired of cheaters when playing Minecraft in multiplayer settings? You should use the BadLion Client as your Minecraft launcher due to its dedicated focus on anti-cheating tools. The launcher uses tech like anti-Xray add-ons and many others to ensure there is no cheating. It is compatible with Minecraft versions 1.8, 1.12, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, and 1.19.
Pros
- BadLion Client has its own built-in FPS booster and is also compatible with Optifine.
- To ensure non-cheating, it has over 100 pre-built Minecraft mods for users to install and play.
Con
- The launcher cannot be used to play Minecraft without an official Microsoft account.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
17. Feather Client
Are you looking for a launcher with excellent chatting capabilities during multiplayer game modes? You should try the Feather Client Minecraft launcher. It has an impressive built-in voice chat feature which allows you to enjoy gameplay more thoroughly. The Feather Client has the mod manager and mod library to make your mod management smoother. It also has an FPS booster to improve your Minecraft game performance.
Pros
- You can easily add your own created mods to the mod library of Feather Client.
- If you have a lot of skins for your game characters, the skin manager in this launcher will prove helpful.
Con
- It does not have an extensive range of pre-built Minecraft mods for you to play.
Platforms: Windows
18. OptiFine Launcher
The dedicated Minecraft optimizer, OptiFine Launcher, is used by gamers to boost the game FPS significantly and make gameplay smoother. With its help, you can easily double the FPS and significantly decrease the lags in the game. It is also an excellent tool to organize, install or remove the mods from your system. This best MC launcher allows you to configure intervals for autosave during gameplay.
Pros
- You control the time in the game when using OptiFine. The time can be set to day or night only.
- It provides excellent support for UHD graphics, shaders, shadows, skins, etc.
Con
- Since the launcher focuses more on graphics, its mods-creating features are severely lacking.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
19. Salwyrr Launcher
Supporting all modern versions of Minecraft, the Salwyrr Launcher is a decent choice among Minecraft launchers. The launcher is fully customizable and can be adjusted to ensure better performance. It is a completely secure launcher and is free to use. With this launcher, users can access a wide range of cosmetics, capes, and wings when adjusting skins for their characters.
Pros
- The launcher includes many anti-cheat mechanisms to ensure fair play.
- It comes with a performance booster to provide smooth and lag-free Minecraft gameplay.
Con
- The number of mods available to users is quite lacking on the launcher.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
20. X Minecraft Launcher
X Minecraft Launcher is an incredible launcher to maintain your Minecraft mods without wasting extra space. It keeps all of your mods and mod packs in a single location and will create a hard link when it needs to use a resource, for instance. The launcher also supports multi-instances and arranges them so they don’t get mixed and create issues.
Pros
- You can access Minecraft mods and mod packs from platforms like CusreForge, Modrinth, Blessing Skin, and Authluib Injector through this launcher.
- It supports the installation of Vanilla Minecraft, Minecraft Forge, Fabric, and OptiFine in a single place to enjoy the game fully.
Con
- While the launcher allows you to access multiple websites with mods, it doesn’t have many mods of its own.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
21. Launcher Fenix
Although only available in Spanish, Launcher Fenix is an excellent choice for a Minecraft launcher. It offers three ways to access Minecraft: your Microsoft or premium account, LauncherFenix account, and non-premium. The launcher also supports all the versions of Minecraft from the very beginning. It has tools for installing mods, changing skins, and switching between multiple instances.
Pros
- It allows you to change skins in Minecraft through its own free official account, even if you have no Microsoft account.
- This launcher also provides non-premium access to the Minecraft game.
Con
- Launcher Fenix has not been updated for a while and has an outdated interface.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Verdict
When deciding on the best Minecraft launcher, it depends on your requirements for running platforms, mods, community support, gaming experience, etc. In the article, we have provided a review of all major Minecraft launchers. All of these can meet most of your requirements. You can also choose a launcher like Minecraft Launcher, MultiMC, or SKLauncher as the primary launcher and a couple of others as secondary launchers. Again, it all depends on your requirements.
