What is a Minecraft client?

The best Minecraft client in 2026 depends on how you play: for PvP and Hypixel, Lunar Client is the easiest choice, and for mods and multiple game versions, it's LabyMod 4. Feather now operates as Dawn after InPvP took it over, and you launch Badlion Client from the Lunar launcher. All 4 are free and work with Java Edition.

A mod is a single add-on, such as Sodium or OptiFine. A launcher only starts the game, like the Mojang launcher or Prism Launcher. A client bundles its own launcher, dozens of mods, a HUD and cosmetics into one package.

According to GamesBeat on May 21, 2026, InPvP, a Minecraft server operator, acquired Feather Client's technology and user base, and feathermc.com now redirects to Dawn. InPvP operates openly, but the Dawn brand has only existed since May 2026. Since March 2025, Badlion has belonged to Moonsworth, the company behind Lunar, and it has no launcher of its own.

Minecraft client comparison for 2026

The data comes from the developers' websites (as of October 7, 2026). We don't list FPS numbers because we couldn't find independent benchmarks.

ClientMC versionsPriceKey features
Lunar Client1.7, 1.8, 1.12, 1.16-1.21, 26.1-26.3free; Lunar+ $6.99 per month, from PLN 27.14 in Poland65+ mods, Keystrokes, Freelook, Rewind
Badlion Client1.8, 1.12, 1.16, 1.19, 1.20, 1.21free100+ mods, Minimap, CPS Counter
Dawn (formerly Feather)Forge 1.8.9 and 1.12.2, newer versions on Fabricfree with ads; cosmetics for Gems100+ modules, Reach Display, voice chat
LabyMod 422 versions from 1.8.9 to 26.3free; Laby+ one-time purchase of EUR 17.97-47.88300+ mods, 3D voice chat

Lunar, Badlion, Dawn and LabyMod at a glance

Lunar Client

Lunar Client is made by the American company Moonsworth. According to the developer, players without a subscription get access to all features, and what you pay for is cosmetics, Coins currency and Lunar+. The store prices Lunar+ at $6.99 per month, and shows players in Poland a price from PLN 27.14 (as of October 7, 2026). In return you get exclusive cosmetics, 10% off in the store and an ad-free launcher.

Since September 22, 2026, Lunar has had full support for version 26.3, and you can download it from lunarclient.com/download.

Badlion Client (via the Lunar launcher)

You launch Badlion from the Badlion tab in the Lunar launcher: on Windows it's enabled right away, while on macOS and Linux you turn it on with the "Use Badlion Services" option. We found no information on support for 26.x versions.

Feather Client, now Dawn

Dawn's Terms of Service call this client the successor to Feather Client. It's free, the launcher shows ads, and cosmetics are an optional purchase with the Gems currency. It has Aternos built in and profiles for Fabric, Forge and NeoForge. You can download it from dawn.gg.

According to GamesBeat, a video published in April 2026 accused the Feather launcher of loading and refreshing ads in the background even when minimized, supposedly inflating impression counts. On April 27, Tebex said the evidence looked credible and ended its partnership with Feather Client and related brands. In a statement on April 29, 2026, Feather denied that ads ran while the launcher was minimized. These are still allegations, not established facts, and it's unclear whether Tebex's decision also covers Dawn.

LabyMod 4

LabyMod is developed by the German company LabyMedia GmbH. Release 4.6.27 from September 24, 2026 supports 22 game versions, from 1.8.9 to 26.3, and in the launcher you can create Vanilla, Fabric, Forge and Quilt instances. The client is free, with over 300 mods and distance-based 3D voice chat. Laby+ is an optional one-time purchase priced from EUR 17.97 to EUR 47.88 (as of October 7, 2026). You can download LabyMod from laby.net/client.

Clients and Hypixel: what's allowed

Hypixel's list of allowed modifications permits clients such as Badlion Client and Lunar Client, as long as the banned features can be fully disabled. The server can disable features on its own and doesn't recommend any mod, and you're responsible for what you use on Hypixel.

Minimaps are banned, so keep Xaero's Minimap turned off. The same ban covers health and armor indicators for other players, displaying distance to players, auto-clicking, macros, auto-sprint and aim assist. Performance mods such as OptiFine are allowed.

In a 2024 article, Lunar claims it blocks disallowed mods on Hypixel by itself, but that's the developer's own statement. According to its FAQ, Badlion has a Minimap module, and Dawn has a Reach Display module, so turn them off manually before joining the server. Dawn and LabyMod aren't named, but the same list of bans applies to them.

Security and your account

Download clients only from the developers' websites: Lunar and Badlion from lunarclient.com, Dawn from dawn.gg, and LabyMod from laby.net or labymod.net. Don't trust installers from videos, Discord or random search results. Every client described here requires a legitimately purchased Minecraft: Java Edition account.

In mid-2026, WeedHack was documented, a program that steals data from browsers, crypto wallets and Discord. According to McAfee data cited by BleepingComputer, the number of infected computers reached 116,464, and the files circulated across more than 240 addresses, promoted on YouTube and in poisoned search results. In August 2026, WeedHack was still circulating in fake clients: Security Affairs counted 10 active malicious sites. Infosecurity reports that the top 2 Google results for the name of one popular client led to sites with WeedHack.

In its safety guide, Lunar states that it never asks for the email or password of your Minecraft account, whereas scammers ask for the verification code they'll use to reset your password. Don't give anyone any code. We describe the whole scheme in our article on Minecraft account theft through Discord.

For parents: Lunar Client has Orbis, a personalized daily offer with discounts of up to 25% and a paid roll for a new set, and purchases of Coins and Lunar+ are non-refundable. Dawn shows ads and sells limited-edition cosmetics that can be traded. The store's selection changes every 3 days, and completed trades and Gems balances are public, though trades can be hidden. Lunar's FAQ requires the Microsoft account of an adult or a Microsoft family plan run by an adult. Dawn requires parental or guardian consent for people under 18, and children under 13 need a Microsoft child account.

The rule of downloading only from original sites applies to mods for other games too: find out which Minecraft mods for Skyrim, Elden Ring and GTA 5 are real.

How to choose a Minecraft client

  • PvP and Hypixel: Lunar Client or Badlion from the same launcher, the 2 clients Hypixel names explicitly.
  • Mods and multiple versions: LabyMod 4 with 22 game versions and Fabric, Forge and Quilt instances. Since September 2026, Lunar can also load Forge mods on 1.8 and 1.12.
  • FPS: the numbers come only from the developers. If smoother performance is what you're after, start with the guide on how to increase FPS in Minecraft.
  • Cosmetics with friends: Lunar's are visible only in Lunar, and LabyMod's only in LabyMod. For your friends to see your cape, play on the same client.
  • macOS and Linux: Lunar and LabyMod work on both systems, while Dawn requires a Mac with Apple Silicon and is experimental on Linux.

A sensible starting point is Lunar for PvP or LabyMod 4 for mods and unusual versions.

Frequently asked questions

Which Minecraft client should I choose?

For PvP and playing on Hypixel, pick Lunar Client, and for mods and multiple game versions, pick LabyMod 4.

Is Lunar Client safe?

As of October 7, 2026, we found no reports of a breach of Lunar itself. The risk is fake copies, so download it only from lunarclient.com.

How much does Lunar Client cost?

The client is free, and according to the store, Lunar+ costs $6.99 per month (from PLN 27.14 in Poland, as of October 7, 2026).

Is Feather Client free?

Yes, Feather Client now runs as Dawn and is free, though the launcher shows ads and cosmetics are paid for with Gems currency.

What is a free Minecraft client?

Lunar Client, Badlion Client, Dawn and LabyMod 4 are all free, and you only pay for extras such as cosmetics, Lunar+ or Laby+.

Does a client work in Minecraft Bedrock?

No, these are Java Edition clients. According to its terms, the Dawn launcher can also start Bedrock, but the store notes that cosmetics and purchases won't show up there.

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