Modrinth vs CurseForge: which should you use?
Modrinth vs CurseForge compared fairly: the sites and their apps, ads, open source, pack files, which launchers import each, and how mod authors get paid.
· 5 min readThe short answer
Modrinth vs CurseForge comes down to taste, not safety. Modrinth is open source and shares its ad money openly with mod creators. CurseForge is older, run by Overwolf, and some mods are only there. Both are legitimate and moderate uploads. Pick whichever has your must-have mods, and build each pack from one site.
Every modded Minecraft player ends up on one of two sites: CurseForge or Modrinth. Both host mods and modpacks, both have their own launcher app, and plenty of mods are on both. So which should you use? Here's a fair comparison, and the one rule that matters more than the choice itself.
Modrinth and CurseForge side by side
| CurseForge | Modrinth | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Overwolf | Rinth, Inc. |
| Launcher | CurseForge app (standalone, or inside Overwolf) | Modrinth App |
| Ads | Yes, on the site and app; Premium removes them | Yes, on the site and app; Modrinth+ removes them in the app |
| Open source | No | Yes: the website, app and API |
| Modpack file | .zip with a manifest.json | .mrpack with a modrinth.index.json |
| How mod authors get paid | Reward points they can cash out | 75% of ad revenue, plus half of Modrinth+ subscriptions |
The site vs the app
Each name means two things: a website where you browse and download, and a launcher app that installs packs and keeps them up to date.
You don't have to match them. You can browse on modrinth.com and play in Prism Launcher, or download a pack from curseforge.com and import it elsewhere. The apps are where the differences show most: the CurseForge app comes as a lightweight standalone download or as an Overwolf version with in-game features, while the Modrinth App is a single open-source launcher.
Ads
Both sites and both apps show ads; that's how they pay for hosting and pay mod authors. Each sells a subscription that removes them. CurseForge Premium removes ads in the app and on the website and is listed "from $2.50/month". Modrinth+ removes ads in the Modrinth App, and Modrinth says half of each subscription goes to creators.
How many mods each has
Neither number is worth quoting here, because the totals change daily and we couldn't check them against an official figure. What matters more: CurseForge has been around far longer, so many older mods and long-running packs live there, while a lot of newer and actively updated mods publish to both. Some mods are on only one site. Before you choose, search both for the handful of mods you can't live without.
Open source
Modrinth's website, app and API are published on GitHub, so anyone can read how they work. The CurseForge app and site are not open source. That doesn't make CurseForge unsafe, but if open software matters to you, it's a point for Modrinth.
Modpack files and which launchers open them
The two sites use different modpack files:
- CurseForge packs are a
.zipholding amanifest.jsonthat lists each mod by its CurseForge ID, plus anoverridesfolder for configs and scripts. - Modrinth packs are a
.mrpack, which is a zip holding amodrinth.index.jsonthat lists each file with its download link, plusoverrides. Packs uploaded to Modrinth may only link files from Modrinth, GitHub or GitLab.
Neither format contains the mods themselves; the launcher downloads them from the site when you install.
| Launcher | CurseForge zip | Modrinth .mrpack |
|---|---|---|
| CurseForge app | Yes | Not documented |
| Modrinth App | Imports an existing CurseForge instance | Yes |
| Prism Launcher | Yes | Yes |
Prism Launcher can use both. It browses and installs packs from Modrinth and CurseForge, and imports either file. If you play packs from both sites, it's the easiest single launcher.
How mod authors get paid
Both share money with the people who make mods, in different ways:
- Modrinth says it splits all ad revenue from its site and app 75% to creators and 25% to Modrinth, divided by each project's page views and in-app downloads, and that 50% of Modrinth+ subscriptions goes to creators.
- CurseForge pays authors in reward points earned through its Rewards Program, which can be redeemed for cash (from 100 points, by PayPal or Payoneer) or gift cards in some regions. Premium also lists "direct support for mod authors".
Pick one site per pack
Whichever you prefer, build each modpack from one site. Mixing them means two lists to keep up to date, two places mods can update from, and a pack that only some launchers can install. If a mod you want is only on the other site, it's often a sign to look for an alternative, or to build that pack on the other site instead.
Packspire works with both
Packspire builds NeoForge 1.21.1 packs from one platform per pack: you choose Modrinth or CurseForge, and every mod comes from that site. Mods are linked, never re-uploaded, so authors keep their downloads, and every file is checked against its site and scanned for known malware. You get a .mrpack for a Modrinth pack or a CurseForge zip for a CurseForge one.
Plan a pack on the site you prefer, or read how to install a modpack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Modrinth better than CurseForge?
Neither is better for everyone. Modrinth is open source and shares ad revenue openly with creators; CurseForge is older and has some mods Modrinth doesn't. Choose the one that has your must-have mods.
Is Modrinth safe?
Yes, if you download from modrinth.com or the Modrinth App. Like CurseForge, it moderates projects, but any mod is code that runs on your computer, so stick to the official site and well-known projects.
Can I use CurseForge mods in the Modrinth App?
You can import an existing CurseForge instance into the Modrinth App, but its browser only shows Modrinth content. For a launcher that installs from both sites, use Prism Launcher.
Can a modpack use mods from both CurseForge and Modrinth?
It can, but it's harder to share and keep updated, because each pack format expects mods from its own site. Building each pack from one site keeps it simple.
Sources
- Creator Monetization Program, Modrinth
- Modrinth+
- Modrinth modpack format (.mrpack)
- Modrinth source code
- CurseForge Premium and Tebex, CurseForge support
- Download the CurseForge app
- Rewards Program terms, CurseForge support
- Exporting a modpack for CurseForge, CurseForge support
- Overwolf platform terms
- Prism Launcher's import page
