ViaVersion - why lose players after a Minecraft update?

Below, you can find an overview of all the projects to find the one that suits your exact needs.

Paper, Spigot & Velocity plugins

ViaVersion

Allows all client versions that are newer than your server

Get ViaVersion

Additional benefits: Less gameplay and anti-cheat issues if run on a Paper server

Install on: Server 1.8.8-latest

ViaBackwards

Requires ViaVersion

Allow Client versions that are older than your server down to 1.9

Get ViaBackwards

Install on: Server 1.10-latest

ViaRewind

Requires ViaBackwards

Allow 1.7.10-1.8.9 clients

Get ViaRewind

Additional benefits: Less gameplay issues if using ViaRewind Legacy Support

Install on: Server 1.8.8-latest

Other Add-On plugins

ViaBungee

Requires ViaVersion .

Add-On to run ViaVersion on BungeeCord

Get ViaBungee

Install on: latest BungeeCord

ViaSponge

Requires ViaVersion .

Add-On to run ViaVersion on Sponge

Get ViaSponge

Install on: Sponge v8+

ViaAprilFools

Requires ViaBackwards .

ViaVersion addon to add support for some notable Minecraft snapshots

Get ViaAprilFools

Install on: Paper, Velocity & ViaFabric

Fabric & Forge mods

ViaFabric

Connecting to 1.8.8-latest servers

Get ViaFabric

Additional benefits: Less potential for mod incompatibilities than ViaFabricPlus

Install on Fabric client or server: Latest minor version of 1.8, 1.14-latest

ViaFabricPlus

Connecting to classic c0.0.15 to the latest release servers

Get ViaFabricPlus

Additional benefits: Less gameplay and anti-cheat issues

Install on Fabric client: Latest

ViaForge

Connecting to 1.8.8-latest servers

Get ViaForge

Additional benefits: Less gameplay and anti-cheat issues

Install on Forge client: Latest minor version of 1.8, 1.12, 1.14-latest

Proxies for clients

ViaAAS

Connecting to 1.8.8-latest servers

Get ViaAAS

Additional benefits: Has already running, public instances

Install on: Local or remote instances to any server

ViaProxy

Connecting to classic c0.0.15-latest servers

Get ViaProxy

Additional benefits: User-friendly graphical user interface for local instances

Install on: Local instances to any server, or remote instances to a specific server