Plugin or mod: which one do you actually need?
A plugin runs only on the server. Paper, Spigot and their forks load it, and players join with an unmodified Minecraft client. Plugins are the right tool for server rules, commands, economies and minigames, as long as everything can be done with the blocks and items the game already has.
A mod changes the game itself. It loads through a mod loader such as Fabric or NeoForge and can add new blocks, items, entities, screens, keybinds or rendering changes. When a mod adds content, the same .jar has to be installed on the server and on every player's client, otherwise they cannot connect.
Some mods only need one side. A minimap, a HUD overlay or a zoom key is client-only and works on any server. A server-only mod can change game logic while players keep their vanilla client, as long as it adds no new content.
- Plugin: server only, players keep the vanilla client
- Client-only mod: installed by the player, works on any server
- Mod that adds content: needed on the server and on every client
- Server-only mod: game logic on a Fabric or NeoForge server
