QBCore vs ESX: which framework do FiveM servers use?

A framework is the base layer a roleplay server is built on: it handles player characters, jobs, money, and the conventions that scripts rely on. The choice matters because most scripts are written for one framework, so it decides which scripts you can use without rewriting them.

What servers use today

Of the 21,786 listed servers that state a framework, this is the live split. Servers that do not say are not counted.

• ESX11,687 servers · 53.6%
• QBCore4,786 servers · 22.0%
• QBox3,755 servers · 17.2%
• vRP1,504 servers · 6.9%
• Ox29 servers · 0.1%
• ND Core25 servers · 0.1%

Counted from the framework tag each server sets itself. See script-level adoption, and how it is changing, on Script trends.

ESX

ESX is the older of the two and has the largest back catalogue of scripts, tutorials and free resources. Many long-running servers are built on it, and almost any script you find will have an ESX version. The trade-off is age: parts of the ecosystem reflect older ways of building things, so quality varies widely.

QBCore

QBCore is newer and was designed with roleplay servers in mind. It is popular with servers started in the last few years, and many current paid and free scripts are written for it first. Its ecosystem is smaller than ESX's but active. There is also Qbox, a fork of QBCore with its own direction, and it is worth reading about if you are starting fresh.

How to choose

• Start from the scripts you need. List the systems your server must have (jobs, housing, phone, police, vehicles) and check which framework has maintained versions of each.
• Use what your team knows. The best framework is the one your developers can fix at 2am.
• Check compatibility before you buy. Many scripts support several frameworks, but not all, and a “compatible” label can mean a thin wrapper.
• Do not plan to switch later. Moving a running server between frameworks means migrating player data and rewriting or replacing most scripts. Decide once.