Is Linen an alternative to MCreator?

For modders ready to write Java, yes. MCreator builds mods through its interface and Blockly procedures; Linen is an IDE where you write the code, and it sets up the project and Java, runs the game and checks your mod. If you don't want to write code, MCreator is the better fit.

Yes. MCreator is free and open source under GPL-3.0, made by Pylo and funded by donations, and it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Linen Free covers every Minecraft version; Linen Pro, with Linen's power tools, is €7.99 a month or €59.99 a year.

Which loaders and versions does MCreator support?

MCreator 2026.2 targets NeoForge 26.1.2 and 1.21.1, data and resource packs for the same versions, and Bedrock Edition 26.1x add-ons; Fabric comes from a community plugin. Linen sets up mods for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt and Legacy Fabric and plugins for Paper, Spigot, Bukkit and Purpur, from Minecraft 1.12.2 to 26.x.

Do I need to know Java to use Linen?

You write Java in Linen, but you don't need to know it all first. Linen sets up the project and the Java version, Teach me explains a name you hover in your own code, and Linen Check names the file and the fix. With Pro, Add to your mod writes a block's files for you.

Can Linen open an MCreator workspace?

Possibly, but we haven't tested it. MCreator's NeoForge generator writes a Gradle project with Java code, and Linen's Open or import opens mod folders you already have. Work on a copy and keep the original in MCreator, since from then on you edit the code by hand.

Can Linen make Bedrock add-ons?

No. Linen makes Minecraft: Java Edition mods and server plugins. MCreator makes Java Edition mods, Bedrock Edition add-ons, data packs and resource packs, so for Bedrock, or for data packs and resource packs on their own, MCreator is the one to choose of the two.

Compare

Linen vs MCreator

MCreator is a free, open-source mod maker: you build mods, Bedrock add-ons, data packs and resource packs through an easy-to-learn interface and Blockly procedures, with a code editor when you want one. Linen is an IDE where you write the Java yourself, with tools that set up, run and check the mod across five mod loaders and Minecraft 1.12.2 to 26.x. If you don't want to write code, choose MCreator.

MCreator's facts checked against its own pages on 3 November 2026, each with its source below. Linen's from the app, checked on 2 November 2026.

Who is each one for?

Linen

Modders who write, or want to learn to write, Java: from a first mod, with the project, Java and checks set up for them, to experienced modders with several loaders and versions in one mod.

MCreator

Minecraft players and aspiring mod developers who want to make mods without starting from code, and teachers: MCreator says it is used for education, online classes and STEM workshops.

Linen and MCreator at a glance

"Not in its feature list" means MCreator's own pages don't name it; another tool or plugin may still cover it.

Topic	Linen	MCreator
What it is	A desktop IDE where you write Java, with tools that set up, run and check your mod. Built on Eclipse Theia and Eclipse's Java language server.	A mod maker: you build with an intuitive, easy-to-learn interface or with its integrated code editor. ^[1]
Who uses it	Modders writing Java, from a first mod to one mod across several loaders and versions.	Minecraft players, aspiring mod developers, education, online classes and STEM workshops. ^[1]
Price	Free covers every Minecraft version. Pro adds Linen's power tools for €7.99 a month or €59.99 a year; Lifetime is €199.99 once. VAT included. The beta is free, with a month of Pro.	Free and open source (GPL-3.0, with exceptions). Donations fund it. ^[1]
Runs on	64-bit Windows 10 and 11. macOS and Linux once their installers are signed and tested.	Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple silicon) and Linux. ^[2]
What it makes	Minecraft: Java Edition mods and server plugins.	Java Edition mods, Bedrock Edition add-ons, data packs and resource packs. ^[1]
Mod loaders	Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt and Legacy Fabric.	NeoForge, built in. Fabric through a community plugin, the Fabric Generator. ^[2]^[6]
Server plugins	Paper, Spigot, Bukkit and Purpur.	Not in its feature list.
Minecraft versions	Minecraft 1.12.2 to 26.x, in Free and Pro.	MCreator 2026.2: NeoForge 26.1.2 and 1.21.1; data and resource packs for 26.1.x and 1.21.1; Bedrock Edition 26.1x. The 2026.3 preview moves to NeoForge 26.3 and 1.21.1. ^[2]^[3]
How you build	You write Java, with completion and errors. With Pro, Add to your mod writes the files for a block, item, recipe or loot table, and the texture maker makes 16×16 textures.	Mod elements such as blocks, items, mobs, biomes, dimensions, GUIs and recipes, made in its interface; procedures built from Blockly blocks; a code editor. ^[4]^[5]^[1]
Code you need to know	Some Java. Linen sets up the project and the Java version, and Teach me explains a name you hover in your own code.	You can start in its interface without writing code; the integrated code editor is there when you want it. ^[1]
Testing and fixing	Play the game runs the client or server with a game log that puts your mod first, and Linen Check names the file and the fix. Pro adds Crash Doctor, Find what lags, the F8 Inspector and hot swap.	Starts the client and server through Gradle tasks its generator defines (runClient, runServer). ^[4]
AI	Optional. Linen installs Claude Code, Anthropic's extension, unmodified, on your own Claude plan. With Pro, Linen gives it your mod's version, tools that look up the game's real code, and Linen Check on every edit.	Not in its feature list.
Status	Private beta (2 November 2026).	MCreator 2026.2, released 14 August 2026. The newest 2026.3 preview came out on 31 October 2026. ^[2]^[3]

What does MCreator do better?

You can make a mod without writing code: blocks, items, mobs and more come from its interface, and behaviour from Blockly procedures.
It makes more than Java mods: Bedrock Edition add-ons, data packs and resource packs.
It is free and open source (GPL-3.0), with nothing held back for a paid edition.
It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux today. Linen's beta runs on Windows only.
It is built for teaching: MCreator says it is used in education, online classes and STEM workshops.
It is released, translated by its community and extended by plugins, such as the Fabric Generator. Linen is in private beta.

What does Linen do differently?

Your mod is plain Java and a standard Gradle build that you write yourself, so other Java IDEs open it too.
Mods for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt and Legacy Fabric, and plugins for Paper, Spigot, Bukkit and Purpur, each from a template made for that era of that loader.
Minecraft 1.12.2 to 26.x in Free, and with Pro one mod across several loaders and versions in one window.
Play the game, a game log that puts your mod first, and Linen Check, which reads registrations, models, loot tables, names and mixins the way the game will.
Minecraft's own code decompiled on your machine, with Find usages, in Free. With Pro, Crash Doctor, Find what lags and hot swap.
With Pro, Claude Code gets your exact loader and version, Linen's tools for the game's real code, and Linen Check on every file it changes.

Every Linen feature · Free and Pro

When to choose MCreator instead

MCreator is the better choice if any of these is true for you.

You don't want to write code, or not yet. MCreator builds the mod from its interface and Blockly procedures.
You want Bedrock Edition add-ons, data packs or resource packs. Linen makes Java Edition mods and server plugins only.
You teach a class or run a workshop. MCreator is made with that in mind.
You are on macOS or Linux. Linen's beta runs on Windows only.
You want a free, open-source tool with no paid edition.
Your mod targets the versions MCreator supports, and its elements and procedures cover what you want to make.

Moving from MCreator to Linen

MCreator's NeoForge generator writes a Gradle project with Java code under src/main/java. Linen's Open or import opens a mod folder you already have, and Linen Check reads it.

We haven't tested MCreator workspaces in Linen. Work on a copy, keep the original in MCreator, and expect to edit the code by hand from then on.

Questions about Linen and MCreator

Is Linen an alternative to MCreator?: For modders ready to write Java, yes. MCreator builds mods through its interface and Blockly procedures; Linen is an IDE where you write the code, and it sets up the project and Java, runs the game and checks your mod. If you don't want to write code, MCreator is the better fit.
Is MCreator free?: Yes. MCreator is free and open source under GPL-3.0, made by Pylo and funded by donations, and it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Linen Free covers every Minecraft version; Linen Pro, with Linen's power tools, is €7.99 a month or €59.99 a year.
Which loaders and versions does MCreator support?: MCreator 2026.2 targets NeoForge 26.1.2 and 1.21.1, data and resource packs for the same versions, and Bedrock Edition 26.1x add-ons; Fabric comes from a community plugin. Linen sets up mods for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt and Legacy Fabric and plugins for Paper, Spigot, Bukkit and Purpur, from Minecraft 1.12.2 to 26.x.
Do I need to know Java to use Linen?: You write Java in Linen, but you don't need to know it all first. Linen sets up the project and the Java version, Teach me explains a name you hover in your own code, and Linen Check names the file and the fix. With Pro, Add to your mod writes a block's files for you.
Can Linen open an MCreator workspace?: Possibly, but we haven't tested it. MCreator's NeoForge generator writes a Gradle project with Java code, and Linen's Open or import opens mod folders you already have. Work on a copy and keep the original in MCreator, since from then on you edit the code by hand.
Can Linen make Bedrock add-ons?: No. Linen makes Minecraft: Java Edition mods and server plugins. MCreator makes Java Edition mods, Bedrock Edition add-ons, data packs and resource packs, so for Bedrock, or for data packs and resource packs on their own, MCreator is the one to choose of the two.

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Sources

Each read on 3 November 2026. Tools change: if one of these is out of date, tell us and we fix the page.

MCreator on GitHub (README): Makes Java Edition mods, Bedrock Edition add-ons, resource packs and data packs with an easy-to-learn interface or an integrated code editor; used by players, aspiring mod developers, education, online classes and STEM workshops; GPL-3.0 with exceptions; made by Pylo; donations; community translations.
MCreator 2026.2 release, GitHub (14 August 2026): For NeoForge 26.1.2/1.21.1, data packs 26.1.x/1.21.1, resource packs 26.1.x/1.21.1 and Bedrock Edition 26.1x; downloads for Windows, macOS (64-bit and aarch64) and Linux.
MCreator EAP 2026.3.44621, GitHub (31 October 2026, pre-release): For NeoForge 26.3/1.21.1, data and resource packs 26.3.x/1.21.1 and Bedrock Edition 26.5x.
MCreator's NeoForge 1.21.1 generator, GitHub: Definitions for blocks, items, living entities, biomes, dimensions, GUIs, recipes, procedures and more; Java under src/main/java; runClient and runServer Gradle tasks.
MCreator's core plugin (Blockly and procedures), GitHub: The Blockly blocks behind procedures, AI tasks and triggers.
Fabric Generator for MCreator by Goldorion, GitHub: A community plugin that adds a Fabric generator; version 2.8 (16 August 2026) for MCreator 2026.2 and Fabric API 0.155.2.