ItemsAdder vs Nexo vs Oraxen vs CraftEngine: Which Fits?

Choosing a custom content plugin before you build a resource pack can save rework later. This comparison is for Minecraft server owners weighing ItemsAdder, Nexo, Oraxen and CraftEngine, with the main feature and version differences to check before testing one on a copy of the server.

Compare the four plugins at a glance#

All four are designed to work without client mods. They generate a resource pack that the server distributes to players, so plan for players to download a pack when they join. Version ranges here reflect the checked listings and docs as of 14 October 2026. Verify the current requirements on each project page before installing.

1. ItemsAdder#

ItemsAdder is a paid plugin for creating custom items, blocks, mobs, emojis and more, with automatic resource pack generation. It suits owners who want a broad set of custom content features and a wiki that covers integrations with many other plugins.

ItemsAdder Paid Paid custom items, blocks, mobs, emojis and furniture plugin by LoneDev with automatic resource pack generation and a large wiki. On BuiltByBit

What it does well#

Its listed features include custom blocks such as ores, trees and liquids, furniture, weapons, armor textures, vehicles, custom mobs, recipes, chat emojis, books, holograms and emotes. It also includes pack generation, merging and protection, plus a scripting language and Java and Skript APIs. WorldEdit integration is marked beta in the listing.

Check before choosing#

The listing says v4 needs Java 21 and covers Minecraft 1.20.6, 1.21.1 to 1.21.11, and 26.1.1 to 26.2. Its older v3 line covers 1.15.2 to 1.20.4 with Java 8 to 17. Check which line matches your server and other plugins. The available research did not confirm ItemsAdder support for Folia, so do not assume it works on Folia.

2. Nexo#

NexoSource site is a paid choice for Paper and Folia servers on 1.21.4 and newer, according to its official site. It covers custom items, blocks, armor and furniture, and is worth considering if migration tools for existing ItemsAdder or Oraxen content matter to your project.

Nexo Paid Paid Paper and Folia plugin for custom items, blocks and furniture with a resource pack manager and Oraxen and ItemsAdder converters. On Voxel.shop (Polymart)

What it does well#

The product page lists a resource pack manager, custom GUIs and emotes, interactive block mechanics and a developer API. Its docs describe file-based configuration and say the plugin generates and distributes the pack. The docs also say it is tested on Paper and Folia.

Check before choosing#

Nexo includes converters for ItemsAdder and Oraxen, but conversion is not a guarantee that every placed object will carry over unchanged. The migration guides warn about possible furniture or block losses. In the Oraxen conversion, item frame furniture may need manual updating, and custom block variation values are recalculated. For ItemsAdder conversion, non-Display-Entity furniture placed in the world is not converted automatically. Review the relevant Oraxen migration guideSource site or ItemsAdder migration guideSource site before planning a switch.

3. Oraxen#

Oraxen is a paid plugin with a public source repository. Its README lists Paper and forks, and Folia, from 1.20.1 through 26.3, plus ViaVersion support for 1.21.4 to 26.3. It may suit a server owner who wants custom content tools and an extensible API.

Oraxen Paid Paid custom items, blocks, glyphs and resource pack plugin with a public source repository, bought on SpigotMC or BuiltByBit. On GitHub

What it does well#

Oraxen supports custom items, blocks, armor and elytra, animated blocks with hot reloading, paintings, sound and music disc integration, glyphs, animated emojis and an in-game recipe editor. Its listing also describes generating, compressing, protecting and uploading the resource pack.

Check before choosing#

The project README says the plugin is paid and directs buyers to SpigotMC or BuiltByBit. Check the current listing for the exact release and requirements that match your server. The research did not confirm its Java requirement, so check that detail before you install it.

4. CraftEngine#

CraftEngine is a server-side framework for custom items, blocks, recipes and more, with no client mods required. It supports Bukkit, Folia, Paper, Purpur and Spigot across the versions listed on Modrinth. Its free community edition and paid premium edition give owners different support and feature options.

CraftEngine Server-side framework for custom items, real blocks, furniture and recipes, with a free community edition and a paid premium edition. On Modrinth

What it does well#

CraftEngine registers real new blocks instead of replacing vanilla blocks. Its listing describes more than 30 built-in behaviours, entity-based rotatable furniture, several recipe types and automated pack generation. The pack can be distributed through S3, Dropbox or custom APIs. Its docs use YAML configuration and include a tutorial for making a first item, block and furniture piece.

Check before choosing#

The premium edition adds official support, exclusive features and development builds; the free edition does not include those additions. The sources checked did not establish whether CraftEngine has converters for ItemsAdder or Oraxen, so plan for a manual rebuild unless you verify a migration route for your content.

Choose based on your pack and server#

• For a wide range of custom content and pack features, compare ItemsAdder’s listed scope with the features you actually plan to use.
• If you already use ItemsAdder or Oraxen, Nexo has documented converters, but test them on a copy and inspect placed furniture and blocks.
• If Folia support is a requirement, Nexo lists Paper and Folia 1.21.4 and newer, Oraxen lists Folia through 26.3, and CraftEngine lists Folia. The checked ItemsAdder sources did not confirm Folia support.
• If you want to start with a free edition, CraftEngine has a community edition. Confirm that its feature and support limits suit your workload.

Whichever plugin you shortlist, build a small test pack first. Check pack delivery, client join behavior, custom blocks and furniture, and your other plugins before committing to a full server pack. Back up before changing a live setup, and use the steps in our Minecraft server backup guide. When updating server software, also check the advice in our Paper update guide.

Use a ready-made pack as a starting point#

Our team’s Axe Expansion Pack includes 18 axe skins with ItemsAdder and Nexo configs. The listing says Oraxen and vanilla packs need manual setup, so check the pack format against your chosen plugin before using it.

Made by our team Textures Axe Expansion Pack - 18 NEW Axe's 18 unique axe skins with full ItemsAdder & Nexo configs - drag, drop, done! $2.69 View product

Plan a Nexo migration carefully#

Nexo’s migration guides describe copying source content into its converter folder, backing up worlds and then testing the converted server. For ItemsAdder, the guide requires v4 first; it says to remove the ItemsAdder and LoneLibs jars while keeping the ItemsAdder folder. For Oraxen, the guide says to copy the config into the converter folder and remove the Oraxen jar. Follow the current guide for the exact sequence, and test all relevant items and placed furniture before switching players over.

For a visual walkthrough of the ItemsAdder conversion, see this Nexo conversion tutorial.

Nexo Tutorial Episode 8 Converting ItemsAdder to Nexo Turretedash7

Frequently asked questions#

Do players need mods to use these plugins?#

No client mods are required for these four plugins, according to the checked sources. They use a resource pack generated by the plugin and sent by the server, so players download a pack when they join.

Is CraftEngine free?#

CraftEngine has a free community edition and a paid premium edition. The premium edition adds official support, exclusive features and development builds.

Can I migrate ItemsAdder content to Nexo?#

Nexo provides an ItemsAdder converter, and its guide requires ItemsAdder v4 before conversion. The guide warns that non-Display-Entity furniture already placed in the world will not convert automatically, so test a backup and inspect your worlds.

Does Nexo support Folia?#

Nexo’s site lists support for Paper and Folia 1.21.4 and newer, and its docs say it is tested on both. Check the current requirements before installing a particular release.

Which plugin supports the newest Minecraft versions?#

The checked sources list Oraxen and CraftEngine through 26.3, ItemsAdder v4 through 26.2, and Nexo for Paper and Folia 1.21.4 and newer. Verify each live project page for the exact Minecraft version and plugin build you plan to run.