ESX vs. QBCore is the biggest debate in FiveM server development. This comprehensive guide compares performance, community support, and script availability to help you decide which framework is right for your server.
Focus Keywords: ESX vs QBCore, FiveM Frameworks, Best FiveM Scripts, Server Optimization, QBCore Scripts, ESX Legacy, FiveM Server Development, GTA V Roleplay.
Choosing Between ESX and QBCore: Which Script Framework Fits You Best?
Every aspiring FiveM server owner faces a critical crossroads at the very beginning of their journey. It is a decision that will dictate the scripts you buy, the developers you hire, and the overall performance of your server for years to come. That decision is: ESX or QBCore?
It is the most common question asked in development discords, yet the answer is rarely simple. Choosing the wrong framework can lead to months of frustration, incompatible resources, and a "resmon" (resource monitor) usage so high it drives players away. Conversely, choosing the right one for your skillset and vision can streamline your development and result in a thriving, lag-free community.
In this guide, we will strip away the technical jargon and provide a deep, honest comparison of the two titans of FiveM roleplay. We will analyze their ecosystems, performance metrics, and script availability to help you make the only choice that matters—the right one for you.
The Contenders: A Brief Overview
Before diving into the technicalities, it is important to understand the history of these frameworks.
- ESX (EssentialMode Extended): The veteran. ESX has been the dominant force in FiveM for years. It is the framework that powered the roleplay boom. If you played on a server in 2017-2020, it was likely ESX.
- QBCore: The modern challenger. Born from a desire to rewrite the messy code of older frameworks, QBCore focuses on optimization, object-oriented programming, and a cleaner file structure.
Both frameworks aim to do the same thing: provide the database structure, character creation, and basic logic (jobs, money, inventory) that allow a server to function. However, how they achieve this is vastly different.
ESX: The Legacy Powerhouse
ESX is often compared to an older operating system like Windows 7. It is robust, everyone knows how to use it, and there is a tool for absolutely everything—even if some of those tools look a bit dated.
The Pros of ESX
- Massive Script Library: Because ESX has been around the longest, the sheer volume of resources available is staggering. If you can imagine a feature, someone has likely written an ESX script for it.
- Community Knowledge: Almost every FiveM developer knows Lua thanks to ESX. Finding support, tutorials, or a developer to fix a bug is generally easier because the talent pool is so deep.
- Flexibility: ESX is highly modular. You can rip out the inventory system and replace it with another without breaking the entire core, provided you know what you are doing.
The Cons of ESX
The biggest downside to ESX is "bloat." Because it is older, many scripts were written with outdated coding practices that eat up server performance. However, modern versions like ESX Legacy have fixed many of these issues.
Building an ESX Server? ensure you are using high-quality, modernized resources. Browse our premium ESX Scripts to get the stability of the old school with the performance of the new school.
QBCore: The Modern Standard
If ESX is the old guard, QBCore is the new standard. It was built with hindsight, correcting the mistakes made by early framework developers. It utilizes modern Lua features and prioritizes low CPU usage.
The Pros of QBCore
- Optimization: QBCore is generally lighter on server resources out of the box. It handles database queries more efficiently, which can result in higher FPS for your players.
- Integrated Features: Unlike ESX, which requires you to download separate resources for basic things (like
esx_policejob,esx_ambulancejob), QBCore comes with a "QB-Smallresources" pack that covers the basics effectively. - Modern UI: Scripts built for QBCore often utilize newer UI technologies (React, Vue, Svelte), giving your server a sleek, professional look that appeals to Gen Z players.
The Cons of QBCore
QBCore is stricter. It requires dependencies like ox_lib or specific SQL structures. If you try to force an incompatible script into QBCore, it simply won't work. The learning curve for new developers can be slightly steeper because it requires better coding discipline.
Going Modern? Equip your server with the best tools available. Check out our optimized QB Scripts collection.
Performance Comparison: Resmon and Stability
Performance is the metric that kills servers. Players will leave if they get "texture loss" (the world disappearing) or low FPS.
- ESX Performance: Historically, ESX servers struggled with high resource usage (3.0ms+ on the CPU). However, by using optimized scripts and avoiding "spaghetti code," an ESX server can run just as smoothly as a QBCore one.
- QBCore Performance: QBCore usually idles at a much lower resource usage (often under 1.0ms for the core resources). This leaves you more "headroom" to add heavy assets like custom cars and MLOs.
The Neutral Ground: Standalone Scripts
Regardless of which framework you choose, some scripts work on both. These are called Standalone. They are often the most optimized because they don't rely on the heavy framework logic. Using standalone scripts for things like loading screens, weapon handling, or discord logs is a smart way to save performance.
Maximize FPS: Explore our Standalone category for universal tools that keep your server light.
The Ecosystem: Cars, Clothing, and Maps
Interestingly, the choice of framework matters less when it comes to visual assets, but it still plays a role in how you deliver those assets to players.
Custom MLOs (Interiors)
Buildings and maps work on any server. However, to make a door lockable or to add a stash inside a custom house, you need a script that talks to your framework.
Expand your world: See our MLOs and MLO Categories.
Vehicles
The cars themselves are just 3D models. But selling them? That requires a dealership script.
- ESX: Requires
esx_vehicleshop. - QBCore: Requires
qb-vehicleshop.
When you buy a car pack, you need to ensure your dealership script can read the data.
Fill the streets: Visit our Vehicles and Cars sections for optimized models.
EUP (Clothing)
Clothing is universal, but saving an outfit requires a "skin" script (esx_skin vs qb-clothing).
Look the part: Browse our EUP collection.
The Developer Experience: Open Source vs. Locked
When choosing a framework, you also need to consider how much control you want.
QBCore invites a culture of "Open Source" development, allowing server owners to tweak every line of code to fit their needs. ESX also has open versions, but many legacy scripts are encrypted.
At Frozen Scripts, we believe in empowering the server owner. Whether you choose ESX or QBCore, having access to the code allows you to fix bugs instantly without waiting for support tickets.
For the builders: Check out our Open Source section if you plan on heavily modifying your server's mechanics.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
There is no "best" framework, only the best framework for your goals.
Choose ESX if:
- You prefer stability and a massive library of existing tutorials.
- You are comfortable working with older codebases.
- You want the widest variety of script options available on the market.
- Next Step: Start your journey with our ESX Scripts.
Choose QBCore if:
- You want a modern, sleek UI and optimized performance out of the box.
- You are starting a fresh server and don't need to migrate old data.
- You prefer a standardized, organized file structure.
- Next Step: Build your foundation with our QB Scripts.
Ultimately, a framework is just a skeleton. The muscle, the heart, and the soul of your server come from the quality of the scripts you attach to it. Whether you go old school with ESX or new wave with QBCore, Frozen Scripts has the verified, high-quality resources you need to succeed.
Ready to start building?
Visit the Frozen Scripts Store to find everything mentioned in this guide and take your server to the top of the list.