SimpleCloud vs. Pterodactyl

Both put your servers in a web dashboard. SimpleCloud helps you run them as a Minecraft network. Pterodactyl gives you detailed control over individual servers, across many games.

Building a Minecraft network

Choosing your server software

SimpleCloud: Built for Minecraft networks, with first-class support for servers, mod loaders and proxies in our catalog. Choose Custom to configure software and versions outside that list.Browse supported software and versions
Pterodactyl: Built for hosting many games, including Minecraft. Eggs define how software is installed, configured and started. You can use existing eggs or create your own, making Pterodactyl a good fit when you also host other games.

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SimpleCloud software catalog Pterodactyl eggs Pterodactyl game eggs

Starting more servers as players join

SimpleCloud: Create a group for servers that share a setup, then set its minimum and maximum size. Slots mode adds and removes servers to keep free player capacity available. Servers mode keeps servers ready below a player threshold, but currently only scales up.
Pterodactyl: Create each server with its own resources and node assignment. The panel does not add or remove Minecraft servers based on player demand. You can build that automation around its API or use an additional tool.

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SimpleCloud group scaling Pterodactyl server model Pterodactyl provisioning API

Connecting servers to your proxies

SimpleCloud: Our Server Connection plugin keeps your proxy's server list in sync as SimpleCloud servers start and stop. It also handles join targets, fallback servers and commands such as /lobby. Install and configure it on the proxies you use.
Pterodactyl: You can run proxies and game servers in the same panel. Configure their connections in the proxy files and network settings. Keeping that list in sync when servers are created or removed requires a plugin or your own integration.

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SimpleCloud Server Connection Pterodactyl Minecraft networks Pterodactyl server API

Restarting a group after changes

SimpleCloud: After changing a group's software, plugins or templates, use a rolling restart to replace its servers one at a time while keeping capacity available. You can follow the progress or cancel it. This currently requires Slots scaling mode.
Pterodactyl: Restart servers individually or through schedules and API calls. A coordinated rollout that starts replacements and waits for capacity across a Minecraft group is not built in.

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SimpleCloud rolling restarts Pterodactyl power controls Pterodactyl scheduled actions

Everyday management

Checking status, logs and files

SimpleCloud: Check the network overview, then open a group or server for its status, console and CPU and memory charts. Edit and upload files in the dashboard. Server logs are also available through our CLI.
Pterodactyl: Open the panel to see your servers, then use each server's console, resource charts and file manager. SFTP is included for working with files in a separate client. Neither product requires SSH for these everyday tasks.

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SimpleCloud server tools SimpleCloud CLI Pterodactyl server tools Pterodactyl SFTP access

Installing and updating plugins

SimpleCloud: Search for a plugin in a group's settings and install it from Modrinth, Spigot or Hangar. Manage updates there or through our CLI, without downloading and uploading JARs yourself. Plugin collections let several groups or persistent servers use the same set.
Pterodactyl: Upload plugin JARs through the file manager or SFTP, then replace them when you want to update. Eggs and installation scripts can automate parts of setup. A searchable Minecraft plugin catalog and shared plugin collections are not included in the standard panel.

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SimpleCloud plugin management Pterodactyl file manager Pterodactyl egg configuration

Reusing files across servers

SimpleCloud: Templates provide shared files for groups, tags or server software when servers start. Enable file sync through our CLI to keep templates, workflows and configurator files available on multiple machines.
Pterodactyl: Eggs reuse installation and startup instructions. Mounts can share directories between containers on the same node, including read-only files. They do not synchronize files between nodes, so that needs separate tooling.

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SimpleCloud templates SimpleCloud file sync Pterodactyl mounts Pterodactyl eggs

Giving other people access

SimpleCloud: Invite people to your network and assign roles. Permissions can apply to groups, individual servers and file locations, so your team can work across the network without everyone having full access.
Pterodactyl: Each server has an owner who can invite subusers with specific permissions for the console, files, backups and other tools. This works well when different people or customers manage separate servers.

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SimpleCloud network settings Pterodactyl subuser permissions

Backups and automation

Backing up and restoring files

SimpleCloud: Workflows can copy, archive and upload server files for backups. You configure what gets saved and where it goes. Restoring those files and managing backup retention are your responsibility. A dedicated backup and restore interface is not built in.
Pterodactyl: Create, download and restore backups in the panel. Administrators can choose local or S3-compatible storage and set a backup limit for each server. Pterodactyl is the more complete option if you want backup management in the panel itself.

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SimpleCloud backup workflows Pterodactyl backup storage Pterodactyl backup and restore

Running tasks automatically

SimpleCloud: Assign YAML workflows to run when a server starts, after it stops or on demand. They can copy, archive, upload and delete files. Timed schedules are not built in today.
Pterodactyl: Set recurring schedules in the panel for console commands, power actions and backups. A schedule can run several tasks in order, with delays between them. You can also trigger it manually.

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SimpleCloud workflow triggers Pterodactyl schedules Pterodactyl scheduled tasks

Preparing configuration before startup

SimpleCloud: Configurators write values into YAML, JSON, TOML and properties files before a server starts. Reuse network variables and encrypted secrets across your servers instead of entering the same settings in every file.
Pterodactyl: Eggs can change configuration files before startup using server details and environment variables. Egg authors decide which settings users can view and edit in the panel. This includes support for formats such as YAML, JSON and properties files.

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SimpleCloud configurators SimpleCloud variables and secrets Pterodactyl configuration and variables

Using scripts and your own services

SimpleCloud: Use our CLI directly from your shell or scripts to manage the network. The API exposes groups, servers and players, and can be used by Minecraft plugins or independent services outside Minecraft.
Pterodactyl: The Client API controls servers a user can access. The Application API lets administrators create servers and manage users and nodes. Both support external integrations. Its Artisan CLI runs on the panel host and includes administrative commands and bulk server power actions.

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SimpleCloud CLI SimpleCloud developer API Pterodactyl Client API Pterodactyl Application API Pterodactyl Artisan CLI

Hosting and maintenance

Installing and maintaining the platform

SimpleCloud: Connect your machines by installing a serverhost on each one. We operate the controller and dashboard, reducing the services you need to maintain. Serverhosts update automatically and can restart while your Minecraft servers keep running. You still maintain your machines, Minecraft software and plugins.
Pterodactyl: You operate the Panel and Wings, along with Docker, a web server, a database and queue workers. That gives you control over the whole installation and update timing. If you rent a Pterodactyl server, your hosting provider handles this instead.

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SimpleCloud installation SimpleCloud updates Pterodactyl Panel installation Installing Wings Updating Pterodactyl

Running servers in containers

SimpleCloud: Choose Docker or local execution for each serverhost. You can run game servers in containers, or use local processes when that suits your setup. Container isolation depends on the execution mode you choose.
Pterodactyl: Wings runs every game server in a Docker container. The panel exposes per-server memory, CPU and disk limits. This consistent setup is useful when hosting separate servers for different owners.

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SimpleCloud serverhosts Pterodactyl Wings Pterodactyl resource settings

Keeping worlds and moving servers

SimpleCloud: Use persistent servers for worlds and files that must survive restarts. Each is assigned to one serverhost. Moving it to another machine requires copying its files separately. Group servers are replaceable, so their local files should not be your only copy.
Pterodactyl: Servers keep their files between restarts. Administrators can transfer a server and its files to another node through the panel. This is useful when you need to move an existing server without rebuilding it by hand.

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SimpleCloud persistent servers SimpleCloud group files Pterodactyl server transfers

Creating databases for plugins

SimpleCloud: Use a database you run yourself or get from a provider. SimpleCloud does not provision plugin databases. You can store connection details in variables and secrets, then write them into plugin configuration with a configurator.
Pterodactyl: Administrators connect MySQL database hosts to the panel. Server owners can then create databases within their assigned limit, view connection details and rotate passwords. You still need to operate the database host or use a provider.

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SimpleCloud variables and secrets Pterodactyl database management Pterodactyl MySQL setup

About this comparison

Written by the SimpleCloud team and reviewed on 21 September 2026. Based on SimpleCloud's current code and documentation, and Pterodactyl Panel 1.15.1 and Wings 1.13.3. Pterodactyl descriptions cover the standard Panel and Wings installation. Third-party extensions, custom eggs and hosting providers may offer additional features. Found an error? Send us a correction.

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