Which gamemodes players are actually joining this year, based on the servers listed here, and what each one offers.
Minecraft server trends move fast. Gamemodes that dominated a few years ago have faded and new ones have taken over. Here is what is popular right now, based on the player counts and votes across the servers listed on this site.
1. Survival and SMP
Still the biggest category by far. The rise of streamed SMPs turned community survival into the default way to play, and servers have responded with better land protection, seasonal worlds and events. See Survival servers and SMP servers.
2. LifeSteal
The breakout gamemode of the last two years. Permanent hearts, permanent bans and constant drama make it perfect for content creators, and their audiences follow them onto the servers. See LifeSteal servers.
3. Skyblock and OneBlock
The relaxed progression games keep growing because they suit shorter sessions and casual play. OneBlock in particular has become the most beginner-friendly gamemode on any list. See Skyblock and OneBlock.
4. Cross-Play
Bedrock players on phones and consoles now outnumber Java players, and servers that accept both have a huge advantage. Expect the Cross-Play tag to keep climbing. See Cross-Play servers.
5. Cobblemon and Pixelmon
Pokémon in Minecraft never stopped being popular, and Cobblemon's modern design has brought a new wave of servers and players. See Cobblemon servers.
6. Earth and Towny
The geopolitics gamemodes have devoted communities that stay for years. They are not the biggest, but they are the stickiest. See Earth servers.
7. Mini Games networks
The large networks remain the most played servers in raw numbers, even as the number of them shrinks. See Mini Games servers.
Rankings on this page change monthly with the votes, so check the homepage for what is on top right now.