Applied Energistics 2

Applied Energistics 2 is a tech mod created by AlgorithmX2. A mod focused on creating compact, powerful, and automated storage solutions using ME networks and matter-energy conversion. As a tech mod it concentrates on machines, automation, and resource processing, and it has been downloaded around 180 million times, which puts it among the options players reach for in this space.

Applied Energistics 2 is built for players who want a single searchable digital network instead of walls of chests. Items are dematerialised into an ME network and accessed through terminals, while autocrafting requests are fulfilled on demand from stored patterns. It is a deep, systems-heavy mod, and getting the most from it means investing real time in its mechanics.

The mod is available for Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge, so it fits a range of modpacks and launchers. It currently supports Minecraft 1.20.1, 1.20.4, and 1.21.1, spanning the 1.20.1 to 1.21.1 releases. It runs on both the client and the server, so on a multiplayer server every player who connects needs it installed alongside the server itself.

Applied Energistics 2 works particularly well alongside Mekanism, Refined Storage, and Just Enough Items. Because it ships for both Fabric and Forge-family loaders, it slots into most popular modpacks regardless of which side they are built on.

Being a content-rich mod, Applied Energistics 2 adds machines, entities, or world features that can affect performance in very large bases, so pair it with optimisation mods if you run a big pack.

If you are comparing options, similar mods include Refined Storage and Sophisticated Storage. They cover comparable ground, so the right choice usually comes down to your loader, version, and the rest of your pack.