The Best Launchers for Modded Minecraft (2025 Guide)
If you're planning to install modpacks like Cobblemon, Cobbleverse, or any other large modded experience, your choice of Minecraft launcher can make a big difference. From performance and stability to ease of installing modpacks and managing multiple profiles, this guide covers the most popular Minecraft launchers in 2025. We will have a look at how each launcher works, their pros and cons, and which one is best depending on your needs. There are a lot of options, so there's plenty of stuff to consider.
What is a Minecraft Launcher?
A Minecraft launcher is a piece of software that helps you start the game and manage different versions and mods. While the official Mojang launcher is limited in what it can do with modpacks, third-party launchers make it much easier to install and manage modded Minecraft.
The Best Launchers for Modded Minecraft (2025 Guide)
1. Prism Launcher
Prism Launcher is a modern fork of MultiMC with better support for third-party services like Modrinth. It is open-source, lightweight, and built with privacy and customization in mind.
Pros:
-
Native support for Modrinth and CurseForge modpacks
-
Clean and modern UI
-
Frequent updates and active development
-
Easily manage multiple instances with different mods and configurations
-
Open-source with no telemetry
Cons:
-
Not beginner-friendly for some users
-
Manual setup for things like shaders and performance mods (compared to CurseForge)
Best for:
Intermediate to advanced users who want flexibility, full control, and use Modrinth.
2. CurseForge Launcher
CurseForge is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly launchers for modded Minecraft. It is maintained by Overwolf and offers one-click installation for thousands of modpacks including Cobbleverse.
Pros:
- Huge library of modpacks
- One-click install and update
- Built-in performance profiles and mod sorting
- Easy modpack creation and sharing
Cons:
- Some users dislike Overwolf’s background processes and telemetry
- Heavier and more resource-intensive than other launchers
- Limited support for Modrinth-hosted packs (though improving)
Best for:
New modded Minecraft players and those looking for a quick and easy experience.
3. MultiMC
MultiMC is a lightweight launcher focused on stability and manual control. It does not natively support CurseForge or Modrinth packs, but advanced users can import them manually.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and fast
- Great for managing multiple separate Minecraft installs
- Full manual control of mod lists and versions
Cons:
- No built-in modpack browser
- Requires manual downloading and configuration
- Falling behind Prism Launcher in features
Power users and developers who prefer full manual control and minimal overhead.
4. Modrinth App (Upcoming)
Modrinth, a rapidly growing alternative to CurseForge, is releasing its own launcher. While still in beta or limited preview depending on when you read this, it promises native support for all Modrinth packs and open standards.
Pros (expected):
- Native Modrinth integration
- Open source and no telemetry
- Fast and lightweight
- Cleaner community mod curation
Cons (current state):
- Limited feature set compared to CurseForge and Prism
- Not yet widely used or fully stable
Best for:
Modrinth-first users who want a clean, open experience and are okay with bleeding-edge tools.
Comparison Table
|
Feature |
Prism Launcher | CurseForge | MultiMC | Modrinth App |
| Built-in Modpack Browser | Yes (Modrinth, CurseForge) | Yes | No | Yes (Modrinth) |
| Modrinth Support | Yes | Partial | Manual | Yes |
| CurseForge Support | Yes | Native | Manual | Planned |
| Performance | High | Medium | High | High |
| Beginner-Friendly | Moderate | High | Low | Medium |
| Custom Instance Management | Yes | Limited | Yes | Planned |
| Resource Usage | Low | High | Very Low | Low |
Which Launcher Should You Use?
- Use CurseForge if you are new to modded Minecraft or want the easiest way to get started with popular packs like Cobblemon or Cobbleverse
- Use Prism Launcher if you want more control, cleaner UI, and better support for Modrinth
- Use MultiMC if you are a developer or advanced user who prefers to build and manage everything manually
- Keep an eye on the Modrinth App if you are part of the open-source Minecraft ecosystem and want a fresh alternative to CurseForge
How to Install a Modpack with Each Launcher
You can follow tutorials for:
- How to install Cobbleverse on CurseForge
- How to use Prism Launcher to add Cobbleverse via Modrinth
- How to manually import ZIP packs into MultiMC