Minecraft Sponge Plugins

Sponge plugins are server-side plugins for Minecraft: Java Edition built on the SpongeAPI, the plugin API of the Sponge platform. The SpongeAPI is independent of the Bukkit API that Spigot, Paper and Purpur use, so Sponge plugins only run on Sponge servers: SpongeVanilla, SpongeForge or SpongeNeo. They add features like permissions, homes and warps, claims or economy without changing the game client.

SpongeForge is Sponge running as a mod on a Minecraft Forge server. Forge loads your mods, SpongeForge adds Sponge plugin support on top, so mods and plugins run on one server. SpongeVanilla runs on unmodified vanilla Minecraft and supports Sponge plugins only. Choose SpongeVanilla for a plugin-only server and SpongeForge when you want Forge mods plus plugins. SpongeNeo is the counterpart for NeoForge modpacks. Guide: Installing mods and modpacks

No. Sponge plugins are written against the SpongeAPI, and Bukkit, Spigot and Paper plugins are written against the Bukkit API. A Bukkit plugin jar does not load on Sponge, even on SpongeForge. If your setup depends on Bukkit or Paper plugins, a Paper, Spigot or Purpur server is the better fit; for Sponge, look for the Sponge version of a plugin, as projects like LuckPerms publish one. Minecraft Paper plugins

Start with the catalog on this page: it lists Sponge plugins live from Modrinth, sorted by most popular, new or recently updated, with category filters. Ore, the official Sponge plugin repository, is the other main source. On your server, the plugin browser in the ZAPX panel searches Modrinth for Sponge plugins that match your Minecraft version.

Choose SpongeVanilla or SpongeForge as your server type when you order and the matching Sponge build installs automatically. Then open the plugin browser in the ZAPX panel, search for a plugin, click install and restart the server. For a Sponge plugin that is not in the catalog, upload the .jar file to the mods folder via the file manager or FTP: Sponge loads plugins from mods, not from a plugins folder.

Check three things first. The plugin must target the SpongeAPI version of your Sponge build: plugins for the legacy 1.12.2 builds do not load on current Sponge builds, and the other way around. The jar must sit in the mods folder, not in plugins. And it must be a Sponge plugin, not a Bukkit, Spigot or Paper jar. If it still fails, the server log names the plugin and the error on startup.

Choose Paper for a plugin server on vanilla gameplay when you want the largest plugin selection: the Bukkit ecosystem is far bigger. Choose Sponge when you prefer the structured SpongeAPI or want plugins next to Forge mods with SpongeForge. Both run server-side only, so vanilla players can join either one as long as no client mods are installed.

Not on SpongeVanilla: players join with the unmodified vanilla client, because Sponge plugins run on the server only. On SpongeForge, players need the same Forge mods as the server whenever client-side mods are installed. Sponge itself and its plugins never require a client download.