Paper is one of the most popular server software options for Minecraft players who want better performance, plugin support, and more control over their server configuration.
Compared with Vanilla Minecraft, Paper provides additional optimization and configuration options while maintaining compatibility with many Bukkit and Spigot plugins.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to install Paper on your Minecraft server, whether you’re setting up a new server or switching an existing server to Paper.
What Is Paper Minecraft?
Paper is a high-performance Minecraft server software built on the Bukkit and Spigot ecosystem.
It is designed to improve server performance while providing compatibility with a large range of plugins built for Bukkit and Spigot.
Paper is commonly used for:
- Survival servers
- SMP servers
- Creative servers
- Minigames
- Multiplayer communities
- Plugin-based servers
Paper also gives server administrators additional configuration options that can help them manage server performance and gameplay behavior.
If you’re comparing different Minecraft server software options, Paper is a practical choice when you want plugin support combined with additional performance controls.
Why Use Paper for a Minecraft Server?
There are several reasons server owners choose Paper instead of Vanilla Minecraft.
Better Server Performance
Paper includes performance-focused changes that can help servers handle workloads more efficiently. However, your actual performance still depends on your CPU, RAM, plugins, world activity, player count, and configuration.
Plugin Support
Paper supports many plugins designed for Bukkit and Spigot, giving server owners access to a large ecosystem of server features.
You can use plugins for permissions, economy systems, moderation, gameplay mechanics, protection, and much more.
More Configuration Options
Paper provides additional configuration options that give server administrators more control over how their server behaves.
This makes it useful for both small private servers and larger multiplayer communities.
How to Install Paper on Your Minecraft Server
The exact installation process depends on your hosting provider and control panel, but the general process is straightforward.
If you’re using Revive Hosting, you can manage your Minecraft server through the available game panel.
Step 1: Back Up Your Minecraft Server
Before changing your server software, create a backup of your important files and world data.
This is especially important if you’re switching an existing server from Vanilla or another server software.
Back up:
- Your world
server.properties- Plugin configuration
- Important server files
- Any custom configurations
Having a backup gives you a way to restore your server if something goes wrong during the switch.
Step 2: Stop Your Minecraft Server
Stop the server before changing the server software.
Running installation or server software changes while the server is active can potentially cause file conflicts or data issues.
Wait until the server has completely stopped before continuing.
Step 3: Open Your Server’s Version or Software Selector
Log in to your hosting control panel and open the section used to select or change your Minecraft server software.
Depending on the panel, this may be called something like:
- Version Selector
- Server Type
- Software
- Server Version
- Installer
The exact name and layout can vary between hosting providers.
Step 4: Select Paper
Find Paper in the available Minecraft server software options.
Select Paper and then choose a version compatible with your Minecraft version.
Don’t automatically choose a version simply because it is the newest one. Before changing an existing server, make sure your plugins and other resources support the Minecraft version you’re moving to.
Step 5: Install or Apply Paper
Follow the panel’s installation instructions to apply Paper to your server.
Depending on the hosting panel, you may see an Install, Change Version, Reinstall, or similar option.
If the panel warns that existing server files could be replaced, stop and make sure your backup is complete before continuing.
Step 6: Accept the Minecraft EULA
If you’re setting up a new Minecraft server, you’ll need to accept the Minecraft EULA before the server can start.
Review the EULA and confirm acceptance through your server configuration or hosting panel.
Step 7: Start Your Server
Once Paper has been installed, start your Minecraft server.
Watch the console while the server boots and check for errors.
A successful startup should eventually show that the server has finished loading and is ready for players.
If the server fails to start, check the console for the specific error rather than repeatedly restarting it.
How to Check If Paper Is Installed
After your server starts, you can verify that it is running Paper through your server console or by using the appropriate server information command.
You should also see Paper-related information during startup.
If you previously had plugins installed, check whether they load correctly after switching server software.
How to Install Plugins on Paper
One of the biggest advantages of Paper is its compatibility with many Bukkit and Spigot plugins.
Once Paper is running, you can install compatible plugins through your hosting panel or by uploading the plugin .jar file to your server’s plugins directory.
A typical process looks like this:
- Stop the server if required.
- Download a plugin from a trusted source.
- Upload the plugin
.jarfile to thepluginsfolder. - Start the server.
- Check the console for errors.
- Configure the plugin if necessary.
Only install plugins that are compatible with your Minecraft version and Paper version.
For ideas on useful server functionality, check our guide to the top Minecraft plugins for Spigot.
How to Optimize a Paper Minecraft Server
Installing Paper is only the first step.
You can improve server performance further by reviewing your server configuration, plugins, world generation, and resource usage.
For a complete walkthrough, see our guide on how to optimize your Minecraft server.
Some useful areas to review include:
- View distance
- Simulation distance
- Entity counts
- Plugin performance
- Chunk generation
- World size
- CPU usage
- RAM usage
Don’t change multiple settings blindly. Identify the actual performance bottleneck first and test changes individually.
Paper vs Vanilla Minecraft
The choice between Paper and Vanilla depends on what you want from your server.
| Feature | Paper | Vanilla |
|---|---|---|
| Performance-focused changes | Yes | Limited |
| Bukkit/Spigot plugin compatibility | Yes | No |
| Additional configuration | Extensive | More limited |
| Custom server features | Strong | Basic |
| Suitable for plugin servers | Yes | No |
| Simple vanilla experience | Yes | Yes |
If you want a simple Minecraft experience without plugins, Vanilla may be enough.
If you want plugins, additional configuration options, and a more customizable server environment, Paper is usually the more suitable option.
Do You Need Powerful Hosting for Paper?
Paper can improve server software efficiency, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for adequate hosting resources.
Your requirements depend on:
- Player count
- Plugins
- World size
- View distance
- Simulation distance
- Entity activity
- Redstone activity
- Mods or additional server resources
A small private server may require relatively modest resources, while a large community server can require considerably more.
If you’re looking for a hosting environment designed specifically for Minecraft, check out Minecraft Server Hosting from Revive Hosting.
Revive Hosting offers Minecraft plans with AMD Ryzen 9 7900 processors, DDR5 RAM, NVMe Gen4 storage, DDoS protection, automatic backups, and USA and Germany server locations.
Common Paper Installation Problems
Paper Server Won’t Start
Check the console for the exact error.
Common causes can include an incompatible Java version, incorrect server configuration, incompatible plugins, or an incomplete installation.
Plugins Are Not Working
Check whether the plugin supports your Minecraft and Paper versions.
Also check the console for plugin errors during startup.
World Data Is Missing
If you’re switching server software, verify that your existing world files are still present and correctly configured.
This is why creating a backup before changing server software is important.
Server Has More Lag After Installing Paper
Paper itself doesn’t guarantee that every server will automatically run faster.
If you’re still experiencing lag, investigate CPU usage, RAM, plugins, entities, chunk generation, and server settings.
Final Thoughts
Installing Paper gives Minecraft server owners more control over performance, configuration, and plugin support.
The installation process is generally straightforward: back up your server, stop it, select the correct Paper version, install it, accept the EULA when required, and start the server.
Once Paper is running, you can add compatible plugins and optimize your server configuration based on your actual workload.
If you need a Minecraft hosting environment for your Paper server, explore Minecraft Server Hosting from Revive Hosting and choose a plan based on your server’s resource requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paper better than Vanilla Minecraft?
Paper is a better choice if you need plugins and additional server configuration options. Vanilla is suitable for players who want the standard Minecraft server experience without third-party server plugins.
Can I install Paper on an existing Minecraft server?
Yes. You can generally switch an existing server to Paper, but you should create a complete backup first and check that your plugins and Minecraft version are compatible.
Does Paper reduce Minecraft server lag?
Paper includes performance-focused changes that can improve server efficiency, but it doesn’t guarantee that every server will be lag-free. Performance also depends on hardware, plugins, player activity, world generation, and configuration.
Can Paper use Spigot plugins?
Yes. Paper is designed to support many Bukkit and Spigot plugins, although you should always check compatibility with your Minecraft version.
Do I need plugins to use Paper?
No. Paper can run without plugins. Plugins are optional and can be added when you need additional server features.
What hosting is good for a Paper Minecraft server?
Choose hosting with enough CPU and RAM for your workload, fast storage, DDoS protection, useful server management tools, and upgrade options as your community grows.