Where the plugin API began
The Bukkit API is the shared standard that Spigot, Paper and Purpur still implement today.
MinecraftMinecraft: Bukkit Plugins
Bukkit plugins are server-side add-ons for Minecraft Java built on the Bukkit API, the standard that Paper, Spigot and Purpur still implement. Browse the most popular Minecraft Bukkit plugins, live from Modrinth, and install them with one click.
Runs on Paper, Spigot & PurpurLive from Modrinth1-click installVanilla client is enough9,540+ plugins available
Bukkit explained
What are Bukkit plugins?
Bukkit plugins are server-side .jar add-ons built on the Bukkit API. They run on Paper, Spigot and Purpur, and at ZAP-Hosting you install them with one click from the ZAPX panel. Bukkit started as a community project in late 2010, and its CraftBukkit server became the first Minecraft Java server software with an open plugin interface. The API it introduced is still the common standard, which is why admins say “Bukkit plugin” for everything from EssentialsX and LuckPerms to WorldEdit, WorldGuard and Vault.
Do Bukkit plugins work on Paper and Spigot? Yes. Spigot is a fork of CraftBukkit, Paper builds on Spigot and Purpur builds on Paper, so a Bukkit plugin loads on all of them. The reverse is not guaranteed: plugins written against Paper-only APIs need Paper and won't load on plain Spigot or CraftBukkit. Plugins are not mods either: they never touch the game client, so players join with the unmodified vanilla client.
Thousands of Bukkit plugins
EssentialsX, LuckPerms, WorldEdit and thousands more run on the Bukkit API, from economy to anti-cheat.
Paper recommended for new servers
Paper loads the same Bukkit plugins as CraftBukkit, with much better performance.
No client download needed
Plugins run on the server only: players connect with the unmodified vanilla client, no modpack required.
Plugin catalog
Popular Minecraft Bukkit plugins.
The most-used Bukkit-compatible plugins right now, loaded live from Modrinth: permissions, economy, world tools, protection and minigames for survival and SMP servers. Every plugin installs on your server with one click.
We offer more than 9,540 plugins for your Bukkit server — browse them by category, all installable with one click.
VeinMiner
102.3M Downloads
Mine the whole vein on mining a single ore/block. Make the tedious mining experience to something satisfying and fun! FTB Ultimine alternative
Let Me Despawn
25.5M Downloads
Improves performance by tweaking mob despawn rules. Say bye to pesky unintentional persistent mobs.
WorldEdit
11.8M Downloads
A Minecraft Map Editor... that runs in-game! With selections, schematics, copy and paste, brushes, and scripting. Use it in creative, or use it temporarily in survival.
PatPat [Mod & Plugin]
3.2M Downloads
Allows you to pat ANY loved and unloved living mobs in Minecraft!
SkinsRestorer
1.8M Downloads
🎨 Ability to restore/change skins on servers! (Offline and Online Mode)
1-click installer
Found a plugin? One click – installed.
No manual .jar downloads, no FTP: in the ZAPX panel you pick a Bukkit-compatible server type such as Paper or Spigot and install Bukkit plugins straight from the built-in plugin browser.
Pick a Bukkit-compatible server type – setup runs automatically
Search for plugins in the panel and install them with one click
Required dependencies are installed along with them
Plugin versions that match your Minecraft version
Plugins browser
ZAPX Panel · Modrinth
Search Plugins …
WorldEdit
11.8M
Emotecraft
8M
Common Network
4.5M
PatPat [Mod & Plugin]
3.2M
Frequently asked questions
Bukkit plugin questions
Everything you need to know about Bukkit plugins on Paper, Spigot and Purpur.
Server-side add-ons for the Bukkit API, running on Paper, Spigot and Purpur.
Bukkit plugins are server-side .jar add-ons written against the Bukkit API. They add features such as permissions, economy, region protection or minigames without changing the game client. Today they mostly run on Paper, Spigot or Purpur, which all implement the Bukkit API.
Yes. Paper and Spigot run Bukkit plugins, but Paper-only plugins need Paper.
Yes, both run Bukkit plugins. Spigot is a direct fork of CraftBukkit and Paper builds on Spigot, so the same .jar files load without changes. That is also why Spigot, or better yet Paper, beats plain CraftBukkit for a new server: same plugins, better performance. The other direction is not guaranteed: plugins that use Paper-only APIs need Paper and won't run on plain Spigot or CraftBukkit. Paper pluginsSpigot plugins
CraftBukkit is legacy, but the Bukkit API lives on in Spigot, Paper and Purpur.
Plain CraftBukkit is rarely used for new servers anymore, but the Bukkit API is alive and well. Spigot, Paper and Purpur implement it and keep it current with new Minecraft versions, which is why the term “Bukkit plugin” is still everywhere. Most admins run Paper or Spigot today and load the same Bukkit plugins.
Mojang took over Bukkit in 2012; the Spigot team maintains the API today.
Yes. Mojang hired Bukkit's lead developers in 2012 and took over the project with them, but it never turned Bukkit into an official Minecraft server. Today the Spigot team maintains the Bukkit API and CraftBukkit, and Paper and Purpur build on that work.
No client download, no modpack, just the regular client.
No. Plugins run only on the server, so players connect with a completely unmodified Minecraft client, without any mod installation or extra files.
One click from the plugin browser, or your own .jar in the plugins folder.
The fastest way is the plugin browser in the ZAPX panel: search for a plugin and click install, and required dependencies come along in versions that match your Minecraft version. For a plugin that isn't in the catalog, upload its .jar file to the plugins folder with the file manager and restart the server. Only use .jar files from trusted sources. Guide: ZAP-Hosting Plugin Uploader
EssentialsX, LuckPerms, WorldEdit, WorldGuard and Vault are a proven starter set.
Most survival and SMP servers start with the same core: EssentialsX for basic commands, LuckPerms for ranks and permissions, WorldEdit for building, WorldGuard for protected regions and Vault as the bridge between economy and permission plugins. Browse the live catalog for everything else, from fun plugins to anti-cheat.
Server software and most plugins are free.
Mostly, yes. Bukkit-compatible server software such as Paper and Spigot is free, and so are most plugins on Modrinth. Some developers sell premium plugins separately.
Any more questions?
Contact SupportBrowse plugins
Get started with your Bukkit plugins.
Find plugins in the catalog, pick a Bukkit-compatible server type such as Paper or Spigot, and play with friends on the regular vanilla client.
Preferred source on Google
