Build a business selling minecraft mods

The Minecraft modding industry generates $30M+ annually, with top creators earning $10,000+/month from custom mods, texture packs, and plugins. This guide reveals the step-by-step process to build a profitable Minecraft mod business—from legal considerations and mod development to marketing and scaling strategies.

Minecraft Mod Market Stats (2024)

180M+

Monthly Minecraft players

$5-$500

Price range for premium mods

70%

Of servers use paid plugins

1. Legal & Monetization Basics

Mojang's Monetization Rules

Allowed: Charge for original mod code (not Mojang assets)
Prohibited: Selling texture packs/skins using Minecraft IP
Gray area: "Donationware" mods with paywalled features

Key Legal Tip:

Form an LLC to protect personal assets—mod disputes have led to DMCA takedowns.

2. Most Profitable Mod Types

Mod Category	Avg. Price	Target Buyers	Example
Server Plugins	$20-$300	Server owners	Custom economy systems
Gameplay Overhauls	$10-$150	Single players	Magic/RPG modpacks
Client-side QoL	$5-$50	All players	Inventory organizers

3. Development Essentials

Tools You'll Need

Java JDK (Forge/Fabric mods)
Spigot/Bukkit (Server plugins)
Blockbench (3D modeling)

Must-Have Mod Features

Auto-update system
Configuration files
API for other devs

4. Selling Platforms Compared

SpigotMC

30% commission

Best for server plugins
Built-in payment system

Modrinth

10% commission

Modern alternative
Supports Fabric/Forge

Patreon

5-12% fees

For subscription mods
Early access models

5. Pricing Strategies

Tiered Pricing Examples

Basic Tier ($15)

Core mod features + basic support

Pro Tier ($50)

All features + config customization

Server License ($200)

Unlimited installations for one server

6. Marketing Your Mods

Free Promotion Tactics

Post showcase videos on TikTok/YouTube
Offer limited free versions
Engage in Minecraft forums

Paid Strategies

Sponsor Minecraft server lists
Run YouTube pre-roll ads
Buy PlanetMinecraft banners

7. Scaling Your Business

1 Hire developers on Upwork/Fiverr ($15-$50/hour)
2 Create mod bundles (3 mods for price of 2)
3 Develop companion apps (mod config tools)

Success Story: How One Modder Made $500K

EssentialsX (Spigot Plugin)

Started as free plugin in 2012
Introduced premium features in 2018
Now used by 82% of Minecraft servers
Generates revenue via paid add-ons + sponsorships

FAQs

Can I sell mods on the Minecraft Marketplace?

No—Marketplace is invite-only for approved creators. Most modders sell through third-party platforms.

How do I handle updates after selling?

Use automatic update systems or offer 1 year of free updates with paid major versions.

Pro Tip:

Create mod dependencies—when your mod becomes essential for others' projects, you gain passive installs.