When the Forge team split over internal disagreements, what emerged was something arguably better. NeoForge is a free, open-source, community-oriented modding API that has quickly become a serious alternative for Minecraft modding — downloaded over 3.6 million times and counting. Forked from Minecraft Forge at version 1.20.1 and fully independent since 1.20.2, NeoForge now carries the torch for modern mod development, with renowned mod creators increasingly adopting it as their loader of choice.
Key Features
- Open-source collaboration platform — Built entirely in the open, NeoForge gives modders a transparent, community-driven foundation to develop and share their work without restrictive licensing barriers.
- Seamless mod installation — Players can install and manage a wide variety of Minecraft mods with minimal friction, making modded gameplay accessible even to newcomers.
- Powerful event system — One of NeoForge's core strengths is its event-driven architecture, which fires events for in-game actions and lets modders hook into gameplay mechanics cleanly and efficiently.
- Independent from Forge — Since Minecraft 1.20.2, NeoForge is no longer a fork but a fully independent project, free to innovate without legacy constraints.
Screenshots
How to Install
- Download the NeoForge installer for your desired Minecraft version from the download section below.
- Run the installer and select "Install Client" — it will automatically set up a new NeoForge profile in your Minecraft launcher.
- Open the Minecraft Launcher, select the NeoForge profile from the dropdown, and click Play.
- To add mods, place compatible
.jarfiles into themodsfolder inside your.minecraftdirectory.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Mod Loader | NeoForge |
| Dependencies | None |
| Minecraft Version | 1.20.1, 1.20.2, 1.20.3, 1.20.4, 1.20.5, 1.21.2, 1.21.6, 1.21.7 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open-source under LGPL-3.0 license
- Community-driven development with active, frequent updates
- Fully independent codebase since 1.20.2, allowing faster innovation
- Growing adoption among established mod developers
- Broad Minecraft version support from 1.20.1 through 1.21.7
Cons
- Not all Forge mods are compatible — some older mods may require porting
- Smaller mod library compared to the long-established Minecraft Forge ecosystem
- Relatively new project, so documentation and community resources are still maturing
Download
Always download mods from official sources to stay safe.
What's New
- Updated to support Minecraft 1.21.8, keeping pace with the latest game release.
- Added a config screen, giving users easier access to adjust NeoForge settings in-game.
- Continued stability and compatibility improvements across supported versions.
FAQ
Is NeoForge the same as Minecraft Forge?
No. NeoForge was originally forked from Minecraft Forge at version 1.20.1, but it became a fully independent project starting from Minecraft 1.20.2. It is developed by former Forge team members who split off to build a new modding API.
Can I use Forge mods with NeoForge?
Some Forge mods may work with NeoForge, especially those built for Minecraft 1.20.1 when the two projects shared a common codebase. However, for versions 1.20.2 and later, mods need to specifically support NeoForge since the codebases diverged.
Is NeoForge free to use?
Yes, NeoForge is completely free and open-source, licensed under LGPL-3.0. Anyone can use it, contribute to it, or build mods for it without any cost.
