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.
| 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) |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For a new server in 2026, QBCore is recommended due to its modern codebase, active development, and TypeScript support. ESX Legacy is a solid alternative if you prefer its approach or have more existing ESX resources.
Yes, many ESX scripts can be converted to QBCore with moderate effort. The core concepts are similar — jobs, inventory, player data — but the function names and structure differ. Some scripts have official QBCore ports available.
Both have similar learning curves. QBCore's documentation is well-organized at qbcore.gitbook.io. ESX has more tutorial content available online due to its age. Neither should be significantly harder for a motivated beginner.
Many modern scripts support both frameworks, including ox_inventory, ox_target, ox_lib, and standalone scripts. VertexMods labels each script with its framework compatibility so you can filter by QBCore or ESX.