Framework choice is not a popularity contest. It is a cost decision: what your scripts require, what your team understands, and what your launch timeline can survive.
Choose ESX when
You need the broadest legacy script catalog, inherited an ESX stack, or have staff who already know xPlayer patterns. ESX is often the lowest migration-risk path for older servers.
Choose QBCore when
Your team already works in QBCore, your scripts are QBCore-native, and you want a familiar modern roleplay ecosystem with strong community coverage.
Choose QBox when
You are starting fresh, want cleaner architecture, and can validate compatibility before buying a large catalog of scripts.