Introduction
There are so many Minecraft launchers to choose from that it can be confusing to know which one to use. Today, I’m going to answer the question: what is the best Minecraft launcher?
Default Minecraft Launcher (Worst Option)
At the bottom, we have the default Minecraft launcher. This may be unexpected because it’s the official launcher, but it’s the worst one. Adding and managing mods is painful, and you cannot have separate instances to keep saves and settings separate.
If you’re still using the default Minecraft launcher, you should switch now. You’ll get better performance with an FPS mod pack, and the possibilities with other launchers are endless. The default Minecraft launcher really is terrible.
Cracked Launchers
Next on the list are cracked launchers, including TLauncher, SKLauncher, Legacy Launcher, and others. Playing Minecraft for free may seem great, but it comes with limitations and serious security concerns.
TLauncher has even been exposed as spyware recently (as covered by MrEpic). These launchers also make it difficult to play with friends and block access to servers like Hypixel. Although cracked launchers can be good for modding, they are still limiting, and higher-ranked launchers simply do it better.
Recommendation: If you can afford Minecraft, buy it to unlock its full potential and avoid risks.
Clients (Lunar, Feather, Badlion, Labymod)
After cracked launchers, we have Minecraft clients such as Lunar Client, Feather, Badlion, and Labymod. These clients are great because they are simplistic and easy to set up, which is why many PvP players use them.
However, they lack the performance and modding capabilities of other launchers. Moreover, all the features they offer can be replicated on other launchers by simply adding mods. Therefore, you’re not missing anything if you skip them.
PolyMC
Next, we have PolyMC, which was once considered the best launcher. However, after the drama surrounding it, PolyMC lost its edge. Other launchers have since surpassed it by adding better features, so it’s no longer the top choice.
FTB Launcher & Technic Launcher
Moving on, we have FTB Launcher and Technic Launcher. These launchers shouldn’t be used today because they don’t offer anything special and are very limited.
For example, FTB Launcher has ads and doesn’t allow downloading mods from CurseForge or Modrinth, making it restrictive. Therefore, they are not recommended.
Single-Source Launchers
Next are launchers that can only download from one source (either CurseForge or Modrinth). This category includes MultiMC, Modrinth Launcher, and CurseForge Launcher.
While these launchers are good and reliable, they are limited because they cannot download mods and mod packs from both CurseForge and Modrinth. They’re not bad, but they are less versatile compared to the top options.
Top 3 Minecraft Launchers
Third Place – GDLauncher
In third place is GDLauncher. This launcher is excellent because it supports downloading mods and mod packs from both CurseForge and Modrinth. The only downside is the presence of ads, which help support the developers but can be annoying. Aside from that, GDLauncher is great and does almost everything right.
Second Place – Prism Launcher
Second place goes to Prism Launcher. It is fantastic for keeping instances organized, and many users love its clean functionality. However, it does not install Java for you, which can cause issues depending on which mods or mod packs you use.
Although the developers frequently update the launcher, this limitation keeps it from taking the top spot. For many players, it’s still the best choice, but for this list, it ranks second.
First Place – ATLauncher (Best Overall)
Finally, the number one launcher is ATLauncher. This launcher does everything right:
- It can download from both CurseForge and Modrinth
- Updates mod packs easily
- Installs Java automatically
- Runs with great performance
- Supports separate instances
- Allows easy account switching
For these reasons, ATLauncher remains the best Minecraft launcher. I have been recommending it for a long time, and it continues to deliver the best experience.
Conclusion
If you want the ultimate Minecraft experience, ATLauncher is the top choice. It combines performance, ease of use, and powerful modding capabilities.
I have also made a tutorial on how to use ATLauncher to get you started (link in the description). If you need any help, join my Discord server.
Have fun and happy modding – meow!