# How to Install OptiFine (or Better Alternatives)

> OptiFine adds shaders and performance settings to Minecraft. It's client-only, and Sodium and Iris often work better.

Source: https://www.beaconhosting.org/knowledgebase/how-to-install-optifine-on-minecraft
Category: Minecraft
Last updated: 2026-10-22

OptiFine is a **client** mod: it goes in your game, never on the server. It adds shader support, zoom and graphics settings.

## Install OptiFine

1. Download the OptiFine version for your Minecraft version from optifine.net.
2. Run the downloaded `.jar` and click **Install**. It adds an OptiFine profile to the Minecraft Launcher.
3. Choose the **OptiFine** installation in the launcher and play.

To use it with Forge, put the OptiFine `.jar` in your `mods` folder instead. Check it supports your Forge version first.

## Better on modern versions: Sodium and Iris

On recent versions, **Sodium** (performance) and **Iris** (shaders) usually give more FPS than OptiFine and work with other Fabric mods. Install them with Fabric in your launcher (the Modrinth App does it in a few clicks).

## Don't put it on the server

OptiFine, Sodium and Iris do nothing on a server and can stop it starting. If you added one to your server's `mods` folder, delete it in **Files** and restart.