ServerLens
by normik
Server owners and players who browse multiplayer lists use ServerLens to see a server's full preview, including its MOTD, ping, player count and favicon, before joining.
What it does
ServerLens is a client-side mod that brings a full server preview into the Direct Connect screen. Once installed, the multiplayer list and the direct-connect dialog show the MOTD, latency, online player count and server icon for an address, which lets a player judge a server before connecting. It needs only the client, so servers run without it and players join without installing anything extra beyond the mod itself.
The mod is built for Fabric and Quilt and requires Fabric API on both loaders. Files cover 24 release versions, 1.20 – 26.3, with 2.1.0 for 26.3 as the latest file on either loader, dated 2026-09-17. ServerLens is open source under the Apache License 2.0, and its source code and issue tracker are public. It is a fit for players who keep long server lists and for anyone who wants the preview without joining first.
Key features
Full server preview
The preview shows the server's MOTD, ping, player count and favicon for each entry in the server list.
Direct Connect preview
The same preview appears on the Direct Connect screen, so an address can be checked before the player commits to joining.
Favicon display
The server icon is shown alongside its name, making entries easier to tell apart in a long list.
Player count at a glance
Online and maximum player counts are visible without opening the server, helping players choose a populated server.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
26.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
1.20.x7 of 7 versions with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players who keep large server lists and want status information without launching the game. Players who join a single server they already know gain little from the preview.
How it compares
RngMotd is a Fabric mod for 1.21.7 that runs server-side only, so the server owner installs it and players do nothing; it is open source under the CC0 1.0 Universal license. Custom Server MOTD is also server-side only and open source under the MIT License, covering 1.20.3 – 1.21.11 on Fabric. ServerPingFixer is client-side like ServerLens, open source under CC0 1.0 Universal, and supports Fabric and Quilt across 1.20.1 – 26.3, the same loader and version span as ServerLens.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServerLens | Fabric and Quilt | 1.20 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-09-17 |
| RngMotd | Fabric | 1.21.7 | Server-side only | 2025-08-10 |
| Custom Server MOTD | Fabric | 1.20.3 – 1.21.11 | Server-side only | 2025-12-09 |
| ServerPingFixer | Fabric and Quilt | 1.20.1 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-09-27 |
Questions
Does ServerLens need Fabric API?
Does a server need ServerLens installed?
Which game versions does ServerLens support?
In the catalog
ServerLens is one of 3,545 Optimization mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,575 Optimization mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.
More from normik
Similar mods
What the author says
Bring the Server preview to the direct-connect screen, too! Open an issue on GitHub. Describe your issue, include what version you're on, what other mods you have and any crash logs. We'll sort it out.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/serverlens
- Owner
- normik
- Published
- 2025-09-26
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-09-17
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15