Simply put, Spigot is it. Spigot is the most widely-used modded Minecraft server software in the world. It powers many of the top Minecraft server networks around to ensure they can cope with their huge player base and ensure the satisfaction of their players.
Spigot works by reducing and eliminating many causes of lag, as well as adding in handy features and settings that help make your job of server administration easier.
Features
This list only mentions some of the most significant features inside of Spigot, but it does not represent everything that Spigot does. Spigot is updated on a regular basis with several unique features… just give it a try for yourself!
TPS increases
Optimized growth, decay, and chunk ticking
Reverse compatibility with CraftBukkit plugins
Designed to function optionally as a BungeeCord node
Auto stack merging for items and experience orbs
Chunk garbage collector to prevent chunk leaks
Automatic conversion between offline mode to online mode without losing player data
Configurable messages for many vanilla / Bukkit messages (e.g. whitelisting, permissions, etc.)
Disabling of random light updates
Efficient Netty networking engine
Smart crash and hang detection / prevention
Entity activation and tracking ranges to ensure client-side and server-side resources are only used when needed
Prevent server load caused by maps in item frames
Automatic restarts upon a server crash
Automatically stays up-to-date with the latest CraftBukkit changes
Ability to disable TAB command complete
Customization over what the console logs (e.g. command block output)
Fine control over crop growth rates, chunks, and ticks
Optimized tick loop
Memory-reducing nibble arrays
More accurate benchmark timings reports
Configurable chunk packet sending
Threaded chunk compression
