Oxide vs Carbon: which Rust modding framework should you use?

To run plugins on a Rust server you need a modding framework. The two you'll hear about are Oxide (uMod) and Carbon.

Oxide (uMod)

Oxide has been the standard for Rust servers for years. Most plugins ever written for Rust target it, almost every host supports it with one click, and the oxide.* commands and oxide/ folder layout are what most guides assume.

Carbon

Carbon is a newer framework built with performance in mind. It aims to run most Oxide plugins without changes, and adds its own extras on top. Its folder layout and some commands differ from Oxide's.

Plugin compatibility

• Plugins written for Oxide will usually run on Carbon too, but not always: plugins that reach into Oxide internals can behave differently.
• Each plugin in this store lists the frameworks it has been tested on under Works on.
• You can filter the catalog by framework.

Which should you choose?

• Choose Oxide if you want the widest compatibility, the most documentation and the fewest surprises.
• Try Carbon if you've hit performance limits and your plugin list is known to work on it.

Whichever you pick, keep it updated on wipe day. Plugins won't load on an outdated framework after a Rust update.