ESX vs QBCore: Which FiveM Framework Should You Choose?

Choosing a framework is one of the first big decisions for any FiveM roleplay server. ESX and QBCore are the two most popular options, and both can run a great community. Here's how they compare.

ESX

ESX (ESX Legacy) is the long-established standard. It has the largest library of existing scripts, the most tutorials, and a huge community, so finding help and resources is easy.

• Pros: massive script ecosystem, mature, well-documented, easy to hire developers for.
• Cons: older codebase in places; some setups need cleanup for performance.

QBCore

QBCore is the modern challenger, built with a cleaner structure and a strong focus on roleplay features out of the box.

• Pros: clean, modern code; great default RP features; very active development.
• Cons: smaller (but fast-growing) script library than ESX; some resources are QB-only.

How to choose

If you want…	Choose
The biggest script library and easiest hiring	ESX
Modern code and RP-first defaults	QBCore
To convert an existing ESX server	Stay on ESX
To start fresh in 2026	Either — pick the one your dev team knows

It doesn't change how you grow

Whichever framework you run, promotion works the same way: better list placement, more impressions, more joins. The framework affects the player experience; your ranking affects whether anyone sees it. Once your server is solid, a paced upvote campaign gets it in front of players regardless of ESX or QBCore.