What Is the Minecraft Client LabyMod?

If you play on German Minecraft servers, you probably know LabyMod: for many players there, emotes, cloaks and voice chat are part of the game. LabyMod is one of the best-known Minecraft clients and comes from Germany.

New, as of October 15, 2026: since October 14, 2026, LabyMod has been called “Laby Client”. It’s the same client from the same team; your account, cosmetics, friends and settings stay exactly as they are. Since most players still know it as LabyMod, we use both names here.

Key facts (as of October 2026):

What is LabyMod?

LabyMod is a free client for Minecraft Java with its own launcher. It adds things vanilla Minecraft doesn’t have: FPS and coordinate displays as a HUD you can arrange freely, keystrokes, a minimap, waypoints, zoom, plus its own chat with friends, voice chat and cosmetics. The game itself stays Minecraft. A client changes how you play, not what you play.

LabyMod is especially strong in German-speaking countries. Many big servers work with the client and can recognize it as a legitimate client.

Which Minecraft versions does LabyMod support?

According to laby.net, the client runs on more than 20 versions of the Java Edition, from the classic PvP version 1.8.9 up to the current release. Right now that’s Minecraft 26.3 (released September 15, 2026). According to Laby, new versions are usually supported within a few days. In the launcher you switch between versions without reinstalling, and each version keeps its own mods and settings.

What makes LabyMod special?

• 100+ built-in mods: performance optimizations, Fullbright, FOV changer, Zoom, custom crosshair, Key Strokes, Toggle Sneak, Minimap, Waypoints, AutoText and more. The October 2026 update added an Inventory mod (for example inventory search and a preview for shulker boxes) and new PvP displays.
• 3D voice chat: the closer another player is, the louder you hear them, and you can hear which direction their voice comes from. The server doesn’t need a plugin for this. If a server uses Simple Voice Chat, you can talk to those players too since October 2026.
• Laby Chat and Global Parties: chat with friends in the game, the launcher, the app and the browser. A party follows the host from server to server.
• World Sharing: invite friends straight into your single-player world, with no server and no port forwarding; your IP address stays hidden. For worlds that should always be online, take a look at free Minecraft servers.
• Laby Launcher: starts Laby Client, vanilla Minecraft, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt. You’ll find mods and modpacks from Modrinth, CurseForge and FTB in one search, and you can import instances from other launchers. There’s also Instant Replay with a clip editor and a server list with live player counts.
• Minigames: twelve small games in the chat, such as Tetris, Snake or chess against friends.
• Add-ons and server integration: servers can use LabyMod features directly, for example for in-game displays.

If you’d rather install mods without a client, the options are in How to install Minecraft mods. Tips for more FPS are in How to adjust your Minecraft settings.

How much does LabyMod cost?

The client and launcher are free, including all mods, voice chat and the server list. LabyMedia makes money from optional purchases:

• Cosmetics: cloaks, bandanas, hats, wings and emotes. They’re visible to everyone who also uses LabyMod.
• LabyCoins: a shop currency you can buy.
• Laby+: a premium membership you pay for once, with no subscription and no automatic renewal.

Skins and capes to try out are also available for free on laby.net. How to make your own skin is shown in How to make a Minecraft skin.

How to download LabyMod

1. Open the official page laby.net/client.
2. Click Download for Windows, or use “Other versions” for macOS or Linux.
3. Run the installer. It sets up the Laby Launcher, which you’ll use to start Minecraft from now on.
4. Sign in to the launcher with your Microsoft account. You need a purchased copy of Minecraft Java Edition; LabyMod is not a “cracked client”.
5. Pick a version and click Play. In “Easy Mode” there’s just that one button; instances give you more control.

For parents: Is it safe?

LabyMod is an established client from Germany and not a hacked client. According to the legal notice, laby.net is run by LabyMedia GmbH in Walldorf, Germany, so German law and the EU’s GDPR apply. The client is not an official product of Mojang or Microsoft, though. Here’s what you should know:

• Voice chat with strangers: the proximity voice chat works on every server. That means your child can hear strangers and be heard by them. Talk about whether voice chat should be used; push-to-talk is a good setting to start with.
• Chat on every device: Laby Chat also runs in the phone app and the browser, with pictures, GIFs and invitations. Agree on who your child accepts as a friend.
• World Sharing: your own world can also be shared publicly. For kids, the “Friends only” setting is the safe choice.
• Purchases: cosmetics, LabyCoins and Laby+ cost real money. On the plus side, Laby+ isn’t a subscription. Still, agree on a limit.
• Official download only: only download the client from laby.net. Unofficial packages, such as the Flatpak on Flathub, don’t come from LabyMedia.
• Age rating: Minecraft is rated USK 6 in Germany (PEGI 7 in Europe/UK, ESRB E10+ in the US); the client has no rating of its own. More in our parenting guide on the right age.

Frequently asked questions

Is Laby Client the same as LabyMod?

Yes. On October 14, 2026, LabyMod was renamed Laby Client. It’s the same client from the same team, and your account, cosmetics, friends and settings stay the same. The old version numbers like LabyMod 4 are gone; there are simply ongoing updates.

Is LabyMod free?

Yes. The client and the Laby Launcher are free, including all mods, voice chat and the server list. You can optionally pay for cosmetics, LabyCoins and Laby+, a one-time-payment premium membership with no subscription and no automatic renewal.

Which Minecraft versions does LabyMod support?

More than 20 versions of the Java Edition, from the PvP version 1.8.9 up to the current release. According to Laby, new Minecraft versions are usually supported within a few days.

Is there LabyMod for Bedrock or mobile?

No. The client only runs with Minecraft Java Edition on Windows, macOS and Linux. For smartphones there’s the Laby App, which lets you manage cosmetics, chat and collect daily rewards, but not play Minecraft. The difference between the editions is explained in Minecraft Bedrock vs. Java Edition.

Is LabyMod a hacked client?

No. According to the developer, the client contains no cheats such as killaura, X-ray or reach. Big server networks support it directly and recognize it as a legitimate client.

Conclusion

LabyMod, called Laby Client since October 2026, is the most versatile client from Germany: free, with more than 100 mods, 3D voice chat, World Sharing and a launcher that also starts Fabric, Forge and modpacks. For parents, the German operator and the fact that Laby+ isn’t a subscription are pluses. The important part is setting up voice chat, the friends list and World Sharing together with your child. If you mainly play PvP, also take a look at Lunar Client; another German client is NoRisk.

Sources

• Official page with FAQ: laby.net/client (versions, mods, prices; accessed October 15, 2026)
• Rename: LabyMod becomes Laby Client – new name, new look (in German, October 14, 2026)
• Legal notice: laby.net/legal/imprint
• Current Minecraft version: minecraft.wiki – Java Edition