Pick JourneyMap if you want a map you can also open in a web browser, or you run a Paper server and want a matching build. Pick Xaero's Minimap if you want a vanilla-looking minimap, a fair-play edition and a pairing with Xaero's World Map. If your modpack already ships one, keep that one.
Both are Java Edition mods and neither runs on Bedrock. We did not play, benchmark or test either, so every quality statement below is the project's own.
JourneyMap and Xaero's Minimap at a glance
| Fact | JourneyMap | Xaero's Minimap |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric builds | 1.16.5 to 26.3 | 1.16.2 to 26.3 |
| Forge builds | 1.7.10 to 26.3 | 1.7.10 to 26.3 |
| NeoForge builds | 1.20.1 to 26.3 | 1.20.2 to 26.3 |
| Quilt | 1.16.5 to 26.3, using the Fabric builds | 1.16.2 to 26.3, using the Fabric builds |
| Paper build | 26.1.2 to 26.3 | None listed |
| Side on Modrinth | Client optional, server optional | Client required, server optional |
| Licence | All rights reserved; source code not public | All rights reserved; no source repository linked |
| Modrinth downloads | 14,973,508 | 115,036,048 |
| Required library on Fabric | Fabric API for builds 1.21.11 to 26.3 | Fabric API for the newest builds |
Loaders and Minecraft versions
Both cover Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt up to 26.3. The Quilt entries for each are the Fabric builds. The floors differ slightly: JourneyMap starts at 1.16.5 on Fabric and 1.20.1 on NeoForge, while Xaero's Minimap starts at 1.16.2 and 1.20.2. Both reach back to 1.7.10 on Forge.
JourneyMap's newest builds are dated 3 October 2026 and Xaero's Minimap's 5 October 2026, so neither is behind on 26.3. Older builds of each have different dependencies. JourneyMap's 1.16.5 Forge builds need Common Network and its 1.7.10 builds need UniMixins. Xaero's Minimap's 1.12.2 to 1.16.5 Forge builds need XaeroLib. We have no pages for those libraries. Check the loader choice in Fabric vs Forge vs NeoForge before you pick a file.
JourneyMap
@mysticdrew · Java Mod
Checked Source and install notes
Xaero's Minimap
@thexaero · Java Mod
Checked Source and install notes
Features each project lists
JourneyMap describes itself as real-time mapping that you can view in a web browser or in-game, as a minimap or full-screen. It also points to a separate JourneyMap Tools project for generating large map images. Its page lists no further feature set, so we make no claim beyond that.
Xaero's Minimap lists far more. It offers square or circle shapes, a north-lock option with a direction arrow, and two block colour modes (Vanilla and Accurate). It adds an automatic cave mode, an entity radar showing players, mobs and items, and waypoints that appear on the minimap and in the world, with optional teleporting. Its page says it keeps the look of vanilla Minecraft and runs smoother than a lot of minimap mods. That is the creator's claim, not ours.
The full-screen map is a separate mod for Xaero. Its page says it was split out to keep the minimap light-weight. The minimap uses the map textures the world map generates by default, and the two share waypoints.
Xaero's World Map
@thexaero · Java Mod
Checked Source and install notes
So the fair comparison is JourneyMap on its own against Xaero's Minimap plus, if you want a full-screen map, Xaero's World Map. Our Xaero's Minimap and World Map guide covers the pair.
Server-side support
JourneyMap works with or without the mod on the server. Its page says the server side only controls JourneyMap features, no mapping happens on the server, and players still need JourneyMap on their own machine to see anything. It points Bukkit and Paper admins to journeymap.info/Server for configuration, and it lists a Paper build for 26.1.2 to 26.3.
Xaero's Minimap needs the mod on the player's side and treats the server as optional. Installing it there adds features such as world identification. Its page lists server-side configs with an in-game screen, rules based on ranks or permissions (FTB Ranks, Odyssey Roles, LuckPerms and general permission APIs), and a fair-play edition meant for PVP. Admins can also tie the minimap to a held item, or switch off features with potion effects such as no_minimap and no_entity_radar. For the permission side, see How to Use LuckPerms.
A third-party data pack, Xaero's Map Server Utils, adds admin commands to disable cave mode, the entity radar or the whole minimap. It lists the server as required and is MIT-labelled on Modrinth. It was last updated on 29 November 2025, with builds up to 26.2.
Xaero's Map Server Utils
@xxtg666 · Java Mod
Checked Source and install notes
When the choice is made for you
- Your modpack ships one of them: keep it. Running two minimaps adds nothing.
- You run a Paper server and want a plugin-side build: only JourneyMap lists one.
- Your server restricts radar or cave mapping, and you want the fair-play edition: Xaero's Minimap lists it.
- You play Forge on a version older than 1.16.2: both list Forge builds back to 1.7.10, so check your exact version on each project's page.
Trade-offs of each side
JourneyMap's listed feature set is thin on its page, and its source is closed, so you cannot read the code. Its Fabric builds for 1.21.11 to 26.3 also need Fabric API. Xaero's Minimap is closed too, with no repository linked. It must be on the player's machine, and its full-screen map is a second mod. Newer Fabric builds need Fabric API.
Which one suits which player
Choose JourneyMap if you want browser viewing, a Paper build on your server, or a mod that works whether or not the server has it. Choose Xaero's Minimap if you want a vanilla look, cave mode, a radar and server-enforced fair play. Add Xaero's World Map when you want the full-screen view. We give no speed or memory numbers because none are sourced. For the folder and loader steps, see how to install mods on Java, and for sides in general see client-side vs server-side mods.