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Open QBCore hubQBCore vs ESX — Which FiveM Framework Should You Use?
QBCore and ESX are the two most popular FiveM roleplay frameworks, and choosing between them is one of the most important decisions when setting up a server. ESX (EssentialMode eXtended) has been around longer and has a massive library of compatible scripts. QBCore is the modern alternative — better code quality, stronger TypeScript support, and an active development team. Both power thousands of successful servers today.
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Should a new FiveM server use QBCore or ESX?
QBCore is usually the stronger choice for new FiveM servers that want a modern Lua stack, active script ecosystem, and cleaner resource patterns. ESX remains practical for existing ESX Legacy servers with many installed resources. FiveMX uses this comparison to help owners decide framework fit before choosing QBCore, ESX, QBOX, free mods, or premium scripts.
Browse QBCore-ready scriptsSide-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | QBCore | ESX |
|---|---|---|
| Code quality | Modern, well-structured | Variable (legacy vs ESX Legacy) |
| Script availability | Very large library | Largest library (most scripts) |
| Community size | Large and growing | Very large (established) |
| Learning curve | Moderate | Moderate (Legacy) / Easy (old ESX) |
| TypeScript support | Yes (official types) | Limited |
| Performance | Optimized | Good (Legacy improved significantly) |
| Documentation | Official docs (qbcore.gitbook.io) | Official docs (esx-framework.org) |
| Active development | Very active | Active (ESX Legacy) |
| Database | oxmysql | MySQL-Async / oxmysql |
| Inventory system | qb-inventory / ox_inventory | esx_inventory / ox_inventory |
| Job system | Built-in (qb-core) | Built-in (ESX jobs) |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | Yes (MIT) |
Script Ecosystem and Compatibility
ESX has the largest script library of any FiveM framework — it's been around since 2017 and thousands of scripts have been written for it. QBCore's library has grown rapidly and is now comparable in size for most common features. Both frameworks increasingly support ox_lib, ox_inventory, and ox_target, creating a shared ecosystem of modern resources that works with either framework.
Code Quality and Modern Development
QBCore was designed with modern JavaScript and Lua practices in mind. The codebase is clean, modular, and actively maintained. ESX Legacy (the modern fork of ESX) has improved dramatically from old ESX, but some legacy patterns remain. For developers building custom scripts, QBCore's structured approach and TypeScript support make it easier to maintain long-term.
Performance
Both frameworks have similar performance characteristics when properly configured. QBCore uses oxmysql for database queries, which is highly optimized. ESX Legacy also supports oxmysql. The real performance impact comes from the individual scripts running on your server rather than the framework itself. Poorly coded resources will hurt either framework equally.
Community Support and Resources
ESX's community is older and larger, meaning more tutorials, YouTube guides, and Stack Overflow-style answers exist for common problems. QBCore's community is younger but very active, with excellent Discord support and rapid bug fixes. If you're new to FiveM server development, both communities are welcoming, but you may find more beginner resources for ESX.
Verdict
For new servers starting in 2026, QBCore is generally the better choice. Its modern codebase, TypeScript support, and active development team give it an edge. However, if you already have ESX expertise or need a specific script that only exists for ESX, ESX Legacy remains an excellent framework. Both are production-ready and power top-tier roleplay servers.
Turn framework research into a live server plan
Use the comparison to narrow your direction, then move into the strongest framework hubs and commercial pages for install-ready scripts, curated bundles, and launch support.
Framework hub
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Jump into the ESX landing page to review premium scripts, framework guidance, and launch paths built around ESX Legacy.
Open ESX hubPremium catalog
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Bundles shorten the path from framework choice to a working server by grouping the highest-leverage scripts into a faster commercial starting point.
View bundlesFrequently Asked Questions
Should I use QBCore or ESX for my new FiveM server?
For a new server in 2026, QBCore is the recommended starting point. Its codebase is modern, actively maintained, and built with TypeScript support from day one — making scripts easier to debug and extend. The QBCore ecosystem has grown to rival ESX in script availability, covering every common server feature: jobs, police, housing, economy, inventory, and more. ESX Legacy remains an excellent alternative if your team already has ESX experience, if you need a specific script that only exists for ESX, or if you're inheriting an existing ESX server. Both frameworks are production-ready for serious roleplay servers. The real decision factor is your starting point: fresh build favors QBCore; migration or existing ESX expertise favors ESX Legacy. Either choice gives you access to the ox_lib, ox_inventory, and oxmysql shared ecosystem.
Can I convert ESX scripts to QBCore?
Yes, most ESX scripts can be converted to QBCore with moderate effort, and many popular scripts already have official QBCore ports available. The core concepts are identical — jobs, inventory, player data, vehicle ownership — but the function names, exports, and data structures differ between frameworks. For example, ESX uses ESX.GetPlayerData() while QBCore uses QBCore.Functions.GetPlayerData(). Conversion involves updating these API calls, remapping database column names where they differ, and testing each script after migration. Some scripts that depend on ESX's internal vehicle or money systems need more significant rewrites. Before converting manually, always check the script's GitHub repository or the QBCore resource hub — a community port may already exist. Standalone scripts using only ox_lib, ox_inventory, or no framework at all require no conversion and run on either framework.
Is QBCore harder to learn than ESX?
QBCore and ESX have a similar learning curve for most developers. QBCore's official documentation at qbcore.gitbook.io is well-structured and covers the most common development patterns clearly. ESX has a larger volume of tutorial content available on YouTube and community forums due to its longer history. For beginners with no prior FiveM experience, ESX tutorials may be easier to find, but QBCore's cleaner codebase often makes the actual development patterns more intuitive once you understand the framework structure. Both require Lua knowledge as a foundation. QBCore's TypeScript support gives it an edge for developers coming from web development backgrounds. The most important factor is not which framework is easier, but which one has better resources available for the specific scripts you plan to develop or install.
What scripts work with both QBCore and ESX?
A growing number of modern FiveM scripts support both QBCore and ESX through shared compatibility layers or multiple release variants. The most important cross-framework resources are ox_lib (utility functions, UI components, callbacks), ox_inventory (inventory system), ox_target (interaction system), and oxmysql (database layer). These run independently of the framework and integrate with both. Many premium script developers on FiveMX publish framework-specific variants — look for compatibility labels on each product listing. Standalone scripts — those handling vehicle spawning, weather, server events, or administrative functions — typically require no framework-specific code and run on any server. When evaluating a script for cross-framework use, check whether it imports from ESX or QBCore core functions directly, or only from shared libraries. Shared-library-only scripts are the safest bet for framework flexibility.