# How to Install Sponge Plugins on Your Minecraft Server (/docs/minecraft/install-sponge-plugins)



Sponge is a plugin API that works with Forge modded servers. SpongeForge lets you run server-side plugins (permissions, economy, protection) alongside your Forge mods — something Bukkit plugins can't do on Forge.

Understanding Sponge vs Bukkit [#understanding-sponge-vs-bukkit]

| Feature               | Bukkit/Spigot Plugins | Sponge Plugins    |
| --------------------- | --------------------- | ----------------- |
| Works with Forge mods | No                    | Yes (SpongeForge) |
| Plugin ecosystem      | Very large            | Smaller           |
| Standalone server     | Paper/Spigot          | SpongeVanilla     |
| With mods             | Not compatible        | SpongeForge       |

Use Sponge when you need **both mods and plugins** on the same server.

Installing SpongeForge [#installing-spongeforge]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Verify your server runs Forge [#1-verify-your-server-runs-forge]

    SpongeForge requires a Forge modded server. Check your server type in `Startup` on the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Download SpongeForge [#2-download-spongeforge]

    Get the correct SpongeForge version from [SpongePowered.org](https://www.spongepowered.org/downloads/spongeforge) that matches your Forge and Minecraft version exactly.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Upload to the mods folder [#3-upload-to-the-mods-folder]

    Upload the SpongeForge `.jar` to your `/mods/` folder via `Files`.

    > ⚠️ **Warning:** The SpongeForge version must match your exact Forge version. Mismatched versions will crash the server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Restart the server [#4-restart-the-server]

    Restart from `Console`. SpongeForge will create a `/config/sponge/` directory.
  </div>
</div>

Installing Sponge Plugins [#installing-sponge-plugins]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Download Sponge plugins [#5-download-sponge-plugins]

    Find Sponge plugins on [Ore (SpongePowered plugin repository)](https://ore.spongepowered.org/). Popular plugins include:

    * **LuckPerms** (Sponge version) — Permissions
    * **Nucleus** — Essentials-like commands
    * **GriefDefender** (Sponge version) — Land protection
    * **EconomyLite** — Economy system
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Upload plugins to the mods folder [#6-upload-plugins-to-the-mods-folder]

    Sponge plugins go in the `/mods/` folder — the same folder as your Forge mods. Upload via `Files`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Restart and verify [#7-restart-and-verify]

    Restart the server and check `Console` for plugin load messages. Run `/sponge plugins` to list loaded plugins.
  </div>
</div>

Configuration [#configuration]

Sponge plugin configs are stored in `/config/` rather than `/plugins/`. Each plugin creates its own subfolder:

```
/config/
  ├── sponge/          # SpongeForge core config
  ├── luckperms/       # LuckPerms config
  ├── nucleus/         # Nucleus config
  └── griefdefender/   # GriefDefender config
```

> 💡 **Tip:** If a plugin exists for both Bukkit and Sponge (like LuckPerms), make sure you download the **Sponge version**, not the Bukkit one. They're not interchangeable.

> 📝 **Note:** SpongeForge only works with Forge. If you're using Fabric, look into server-side Fabric mods instead — Fabric has its own ecosystem of server management mods.

See also: [Installing Mods](/docs/minecraft/mod-setup) | [LuckPerms](/docs/minecraft/setup-luckperms)

If you need help, join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).