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August 21, 2026ModForge Team

ESX vs QBCore: Which FiveM Framework Should You Use?

The two biggest FiveM frameworks compared: how they differ, which scripts each supports, and how to choose the right one before you build your server.

Almost every roleplay FiveM server is built on a framework, and two dominate the scene: ESX and QBCore. Picking the right one early matters, because most scripts are written for one or the other and switching later is painful. Here is how they compare.

What a framework actually does

A framework handles the shared systems every RP server needs: player data, jobs, money, inventory hooks, and a common way for scripts to talk to each other. Scripts are written "for ESX" or "for QBCore" because they call that framework's functions.

ESX

ESX has been around longer and powers a huge number of servers. Its strengths:

  • The largest script library. Because it is older, there are more resources, free and paid, built for ESX than anything else.
  • Lightweight and familiar. Many experienced developers know it inside out.
  • Proven. It has been battle-tested on large servers for years.

The trade-off is that ESX is more bare-bones out of the box: you assemble more of the server yourself from separate resources.

QBCore

QBCore is the more modern framework and the most common choice for new servers today. Its strengths:

  • More built-in features. It ships with more systems ready to go, so you configure rather than assemble.
  • Active, modern ecosystem. A lot of newer, polished scripts target QBCore first.
  • Beginner-friendly structure. Its conventions are consistent and well-documented.

The trade-off is that it can feel heavier, and some very old scripts only exist for ESX.

How to choose

  • Building a brand-new server and want lots ready out of the box? QBCore is usually the better starting point in 2026.
  • Want the biggest possible library of existing scripts, or you already know ESX? ESX is a safe, proven choice.
  • Already bought scripts? Match the framework to what your scripts require: that decides it for you.

Whatever you pick, commit to it. Mixing ESX and QBCore scripts without a bridge causes conflicts.

Getting scripts for your framework

Once you have chosen, you will want quality resources built for it. On ModForge you can filter for FiveM scripts, check what framework each one supports, and buy with instant delivery and buyer protection, so you are never guessing whether a script fits your setup.

ESX vs QBCore: Which FiveM Framework Should You Use? — ModForge Blog | ModForge