BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
ShaderA shader that keeps the classic look with adjustable visual effects.
Why gradeA
How grades workStrengths
Points lost
- Some modpacks removed it−1 point
- Under 5 million downloads−1 point
All 10 criteria
Maintenance
Full points27 / 27Last releaseHow long ago the newest file came out, or an existing file was marked as working on a new Minecraft version.2 months ago (24 Aug 2026) 12 / 12Supports popular versionsWhether the project has a file for a Minecraft version that 15% or more of the popular mods updated in the last 6 months also support. A version many modpacks use, like 1.20.1 or 1.21.1, also counts after a release in the last 12 months.26.3 (latest) 9 / 9Regular releasesIn how many of the last 24 months a new file came out. Full points at 3 months.Releases in 8 of the last 24 months 6 / 6Stability
1 point lost16 / 17Removed from modpacksHow many modpacks removed it in a later version of the pack. We can only see this in modpacks with two or more versions. A pack that swaps it for another edition of the same project, or that is rebuilt from scratch, does not count.20 of the 117 modpacks with two or more versions removed it in a later one (17%) See the 20 modpacks4 / 5Quick fixesHow often a release needed a quick fix: a new release within 3 days to fix a problem in it.No quick fix in 2 years 7 / 7Known conflictsHow many projects say they do not work with it, compared with how widely it is used. Packs, small projects, forks, ports, add-ons, alternatives and old versions do not count.None 5 / 5Transparency
Full points3 / 3Source codeWhether the project page links to its source code, so anyone can read what it does.Does not apply. A shader's files can be read in the download.Place to report problemsWhether the project page links to a place where players can report problems: an issue tracker or a Discord server.Discord 3 / 3Popularity
1 point lost3 / 4DownloadsDownloads on Modrinth and CurseForge. Full points from 5 million.867,348 3 / 4Track record
Full points8 / 8AgeHow long the project has existed. It counts less when no new file came out recently.2.5 years, 24 releases 8 / 8
57.3 of the 59 points that apply = 97 out of 100. The points above are rounded to whole numbers.
Images
About
BVS Best Vanilla Shader is designed to enhance Minecraft’s visuals while retaining the vanilla look, with flexible settings that let players enable or disable available effects. Its effects include shadows and pixel shadows, shading on edges outside direct sunlight, fog, underwater visuals, and an optional New Night look. Optional depth of field, adjustable motion blur, anti-aliasing, and auto exposure can further alter the image, alongside color correction and screen-space reflections. The shader supports LabPBR materials, Better Clouds, and Distant Horizons, and its settings provide hover-over descriptions for the available functions. A separate fast version, BVSF, is also available.
Written from Modrinth . How we write it
In-game changes
Changes how the game looks: 19 shader programs, for the Overworld, the Nether and the End. Draws its own shadows, water, sky, clouds and weather.
Settings in 7 languages. Has programs for Distant Horizons.
Often used with it
See all 30Details
- Creator
- LoLip_p
- License
- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
- Downloads
- 867K
- Created
- 7 May 2024
- Official pages
- Modrinth , CurseForge
- Links
- Discord
Security
No harmful code found
We checked what is inside its files, without opening them in the game.
Why we show this: a shader cannot run programs, but its file can hide one. Our checks look for known signs of harm. They cannot prove that a file is harmless. In the grade: malware means no grade.
How we checked
- FilesWe download the files from Modrinth or CurseForge and look at what is inside them and what their code can do, without running them. Fixed rules tell what is harmful.2 latest files: the newest file for each Minecraft version and loader. The answer above is about the one for a recent version. Recent versions: those released in the last 2 years, plus 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, among the most played in modpacks. See each file in Releases
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth, where the author declares that the project reads or edits things on your system outside the game. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when this applies.Nothing declared about your system outside the game.
Privacy
Sends nothing
A shader has no code that can connect to the internet, so it cannot send anything about you.
AI
No sign that AI was used to make it
We looked for AI tools in its texts, files and images and found none.
Why we show this: some players and servers avoid projects made with AI. Not in the grade: using AI does not tell whether a project works well or is kept up to date.
How we checked
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when a substantial part of the code is AI output, when an asset is mainly AI output, or when the project or its page relies on generative AI.No AI content declared.
- Description and changelogsThe description, project page and newest changelogs: sentences saying an AI tool was used, and text pasted from an AI chat.Nothing found17 of 30 changelogs read
- Its filesFiles that AI coding tools leave behind (like AGENTS.md), and the texts inside the files you download.Nothing found
- Images in its filesHidden data in the images of the files you download, where AI image tools write their name and settings.Nothing found
Compatibility
See all 24 filesPoint at or tap a version to see it.
Modpacks using this project
| Oct 2024 | 4 |
|---|---|
| Nov 2024 | 8 |
| Dec 2024 | 7 |
| Jan 2025 | 7 |
| Feb 2025 | 6 |
| Mar 2025 | 8 |
| Apr 2025 | 15 |
| May 2025 | 14 |
| Jun 2025 | 10 |
| Jul 2025 | 18 |
| Aug 2025 | 16 |
| Sep 2025 | 11 |
| Oct 2025 | 13 |
| Nov 2025 | 14 |
| Dec 2025 | 14 |
| Jan 2026 | 16 |
| Feb 2026 | 12 |
| Mar 2026 | 12 |
| Apr 2026 | 12 |
| May 2026 | 14 |
| Jun 2026 | 11 |
| Jul 2026 | 19 |
| Aug 2026 | 10 |
| Sep 2026 | 15 |
184 modpacks include BVS - Best Vanilla Shader in at least one of their versions. Here are the 30 most downloaded.
Epic Shaders - All The Shaders574K downloadslast version with it 19 Oct 2026
Shaders Shaders Shaders!83K downloadslast version with it 18 Jun 2026
Shaders - Working47K downloadslast version with it 2 Jul 2026
Immersive Shaders41K downloadslast version with it 17 Sep 2026
Shaders Shaders Shaders!!22K downloadslast version with it 27 Jan 2026
Abyssal Optimized14K downloadslast version with it 27 Aug 2024
duziy's PvP Optimized11K downloadslast version with it 21 Oct 2026
every shader possible8.8K downloadslast version with it 8 Nov 2025
SimplyVanilla7.3K downloadslast version with it 31 Mar 2026
Enhanced Minecraft 2.07.3K downloadslast version with it 5 Dec 2025Often in the same modpacks
Mods that modpacks often add together with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader. Share: how many of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader also have that mod.
FerriteCoreAModin 72% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
BSL ShadersAShaderin 70% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
LithiumAModin 70% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
Mod MenuAModin 70% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
Reese's Sodium OptionsAModin 64% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
Sodium ExtraAModin 63% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
Complementary Shaders - UnboundAShaderin 63% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
Dynamic FPSAModin 59% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
MakeUp - Ultra FastAShaderin 57% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla Shader
Fresh AnimationsAResource packin 55% of the modpacks with BVS - Best Vanilla ShaderLatest files
The newest file for each Minecraft version and loader. The files for recent versions come first. Recent versions: those released in the last 2 years, plus 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, among the most played in modpacks.