Best Minecraft Server Hosting
Minecraft is a much-loved game that has more than 140 million players all over the world. While there are several ways to play the game with your friends, a good way is to set up your own Minecraft server. This is a network of connected servers that requires hardware to run and allows you to enjoy Minecraft with not just your friends but a large online community without any lags while protecting your in-game achievements with additional layers of security and daily backups.
When looking to set up a Minecraft server, you would need a Minecraft game hosting service, which is a type of internet hosting service that allows individuals or companies to host their Minecraft game online. A secure and dedicated server can provide you with greater customization options without exhausting your computer resources.
There are many Minecraft hosting server options available on the market, and some are better than others. So, which one is the best for you to optimize your Minecraft gameplay?
Our Top Minecraft Servers
Why Would Someone Need a Server for Minecraft?
A Minecraft server gives you your own space that you can control. While you can set up your own private Minecraft server on your own PC, that would require you to be tech-savvy and have a thorough knowledge of your network, as well as deal with potential issues around bandwidth. Doing so may also leave you vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
An alternative to this is paying a hosting company to set up and maintain your server. Much like in a website hosting, where the provider rents out the server hardware for file storage that includes images, videos, and code, in-game server hosting, renting out the hardware requires a monthly recurring fee.
Using a hosting provider means better security, as joining third-party Minecraft servers may put your data at risk. Having a private Minecraft server means you can install one modpack after another. Switching has been made easier, and with the tons of modpacks available to you, you get to optimize your experience. It further allows you full control. From configuring restrictions, permissions, giving commands, setting up rules, and so forth, running a Minecraft server allows you to stay in control.
But of course, to avail of these benefits, you need the best Minecraft server hosting that fits your needs. So when choosing a host, you have to consider certain factors.
Hardware: A Turtle Shell for RAM
When planning on having a number of players with different mods, hardware will be very important, which means choosing the right kind of processor, as well as enough RAM to keep your multiplayer environment optimized.
Price: Putting Your Gold Coins to Work
Aside from the hardware, your hosting service provider will also provide you with features, maintenance, plugins, and security. As such, hosting companies offer several plans to cater to your different needs. So, having a budget and what you are getting for your money will help you narrow down your options.
Performance: Faster than Wither Boss
No one wants to play on a sluggish network, and with a specialized server hosting by your side, you don’t have to worry about that. Additionally, making sure you have full control over your server will allow you to make any necessary changes and features of the game. A control panel will further allow you to enjoy better privacy and security.
Configuration and Maintenance: Keeping Your Farm in Order
You don’t want to waste your time with a complicated setup process. You need someone that offers an easy and swift setup without compromising your control. It is also vital that your server is always up and running as any downtime could put off players, and then you run the risk of players leaving, making you lose your money. Look for a web-based control panel and FTP access for when you’re switching between mods.
Support: Staying Safe from Hostile Mobs
When hardware and software are involved, things can go awry even with the best hosting companies. So make sure that the provider is there to help you with changes or respond to DDoS attacks. It is crucial to have customer support that responds quickly.
Best Minecraft Server Hosting
Let’s explore the best Minecraft hosting servers that can help amplify your gaming experience.
Hostinger
This easy-to-use web hosting provider offers plans specially built to cater to Minecraft hosting. Hostinger offers instant setup as well as access to a one-click Virtual Private Server (VPS). This means you can have your server up and running as soon as you register and pay for the account.
Its price range starts from $7 a month, with the highest plan that can go as high as $80 per month offering 8 GB RAM and 8 vCPU. Hostinger offers five different Minecraft hosting plans, and they all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For Minecraft server hosting, Hostinger offers VPS servers, meaning you will get the dedicated resources. They offer a minimum of 2GB memory, full root access, DDoS attacks protection, free MySQL, and cloud-based automatic off-site backups. Its other features include Minecraft dedicated server, Multicraft control panel, Modpacks, and plugins, allowing you to get started with just a few clicks and enjoy the full experience straight away.
Hostinger does not have any Network Service Level Agreement (SLA) but allows you to install modpacks and plugins right from your control panel. It does offer low latency with its server located globally in the US, UK, Netherlands, Singapore, and Lithuania.
The Lithuania-based provider guarantees a 99.99% uptime. Here, you have a full-time development team for you as well as customer support that is there to help you 24/7 if you get stuck. They also have online tutorials to help you set up your Minecraft server.
Pros
- Instant setup and best-pre installed mods
- Multicraft panel allows managing the server with just a few clicks
- DDoS protection through its advanced automated hardware protection
Cons
- Some tools take time to learn
- Some missing features on entry-level plans
- Customer support can be slow, also no phone support
Apex Hosting
Getting started with Apex Hosting is pretty simple, fast, and affordable. You just have to select the server version and size. Apex also offers you the flexibility to change your server version and package anytime.
Apex offers seven-tier plans that start with a basic 2 GB of RAM and go up to 10 GB RAM. Its basic package will cost you $7.49 the first month that comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
This Minecraft hosting service provider further offers dedicated hardware features like high clock speed CPUs and SSD hard drives for a greater Transaction Processing System (TPS). It also provides Full FTP & MYSQL Database Access along with over 200 1-click Modpack Installers so that you can install the best plugins instantly. Apex supports all types of Minecraft maps, mini-games, mods, and plugins.
Its easy-to-use control panel allows you to easily access the console, edit configurations, manage files, and change the version of your server. For the best video gaming experience, Apex uses bare metal servers and tier-3 data centers. Its 18 data centers are located worldwide to facilitate lower latency for players on Java and Bedrock Edition.
It features a subdomain name for free, which you can use to create a site for your server just like Technic Launcher. Additionally, Apex Hosting provides DDoS protection and automated backups to preserve your data. For added protection, you also have the option to get the Proxy to hide your IP address.
Besides high TPS and lag-free servers, Apex Hosting guarantees an industry-standard uptime of 99.9%. Meanwhile, you can reach out to the team via its 24/7 live chat support while video tutorials are also available.
Pros
- Lots of server choices
- High level of control
- Automated backups
Cons
- Relatively expensive plans
- Not dedicated IP
- VPS Dedicated Servers not available
Shockbyte
Another popular hosting service provider in the Minecraft space is Shockbyte which supports Java and Bedrock game versions. You have the option to choose from 12 of its plans along with a custom one. Its starter pack costs you $2.50 per month for 1GB RAM and 20 slots and goes as high as $40 a month for 16 GB RAM and unlimited player slots. They have a 24-hour Refund Policy if you’re not satisfied with server performance.
Offering its services since 2013, Shockbyte supports CraftBukkit, Forge, Spigot, BungeeCord, Snapshots, Sponge, and Vanilla, in addition to Bedrock Dedicated Server, NukkitX, and PocketMine-MP server versions. And all of its servers also support multiple mod packs.
Shockbyte offers instant setup and unlimited NVMe SSD storage along with full FTP access. It also features automatic updates, automatic nodding, dedicated IP support, and automatic backups.
The Australian-registered company gives you a color-coded console, DDR4 RAM for fast performance, Multicraft CP, powerful CPU, and task scheduling options. Besides unlimited bandwidth and slots, you also get free sub-domain, SSD storage, lower latency 1 Gbps port, and DDoS protection.
ShockByte guarantees a solid 100% uptime but doesn’t have any Network SLA. However, they do provide notice in advance for downtimes. Their support staff is available 24/7 to help you with your problems and issues.
Pros
- 100% uptime guarantee
- DDoS protection
- Powerful high-end plans
Cons
- Customer support is a bit slow
- No dedicated servers option
- Ungenerous 24-hour money-back guarantee
ScalaCube
This Minecraft game hosting site also allows a one-click instant setup. At $2.5 a month, ScalaCube gives you access to 768 MB RAM, 3.4 GHz CPU, and slots for ten players. The most expensive plan meanwhile that will cost you $96/month has 32 GB RAM, 8×3.4 GHz CPU, and 600 player slots.
While they do not provide any refunds, ScalaCuba does offer a free Minecraft server hosting with instant setup, DDoS protection, server monitoring, SSD storage, and supports snapshot and all Minecraft versions. All of your data on the servers will be saved here, and you can switch to a premium plan at any time. But make sure to look over their privacy policy as free services usually mean your data is going to be shared with third-party advertisers.
You can install 1000+ unique modpacks with just one click and set up your server instantly. For servers, it supports Standard, PaperMC, Spigot, FTB, and a few more. As for Modpack, you can choose a custom one with Forge to access 13 mini-games.
ScalaCuba offers full access to files as well as a control panel to set up an unlimited number of game servers with an unlimited number of slots with a single VPS server. ScalaCube also allows you to join your server through the launcher and connect players to your server. You can further change the launcher design with its fully customizable platform. The control panel is further equipped with applications like PHP, MySQL, and Apache, in addition to SSH, FTP access, and PHPMyAdmin. You get server ROOT access too.
In case of downtimes, it will compensate you for your lost time, as per the Network SLA. DDoS protection and automated backups to restore your data are covered in its plans. When it comes to customer support times, they are not available during the weekends.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Plenty of server locations
- A custom control panel to create your own Minecraft launcher
Cons
- No non-gaming shared hosting
- Customer service might be slow
- Industry-average uptime
Server.pro
This Swedish-based game hosting company offers both free and paid plans. Its free plan, which can be used indefinitely, will get you 1 GB memory, SSD storage, and a dual-core CPU as well as ads but doesn’t cover daily backups, multi-admin capabilities, and instant setup, among other features.
With its basic plan starting from $5, you can host Minecraft servers without breaking the bank. The starter pack will get you 2 GB memory and two vCores which gets bumped up to 12 GB and four vCores for its most expensive plan costing you $40. The expensive Pro plan offers a dedicated IP and a MySQL server with root access which doesn’t come with the cheaper Premium plan. Server.pro does include unlimited slots and daily backups with its paid plans.
Its standard multi-admin control panel allows multiple administrators to manage the same server. It also provides one-click installers for a variety of Spigot and Bukkit plugins and offers a range of auto-installable modpacks.
When it comes to data centers, Server.pro has a total of nine locations to choose from across North America, Europe, and Australia.
Server.pro also offers the VPS Gaming series that comes with NVMe SSD disks, is equipped with a faster processor, and has a layer 7 UDP firewall to protect against DDoS attacks.
Pros
- Daily backups
- Data centers located in eight countries
- Create your custom hostname for your server
Cons
- No uptime guarantee
- Customer support only available via email
- Limited number of plans
How much RAM is Enough for a Minecraft Server?
The higher the number of players on the server, the more RAM you will need to support them. For a basic setup or a small group of friends and family, 1 GB is recommended. If you are planning to add some base plugins or mods and increase your player base, 5-10 GB should do the trick. In case, your players on your server surpass 100 players, and you are planning 50 mods, at least 10 GB of RAM will be needed for a much smoother gameplay experience.
Do Minecraft Servers work with VPNs?
Yes, they do. Using a VPN with Minecraft will help you evade server bans and get around blocks put in place at your school or work by providing you with a new IP address. A VPN also protects your Minecraft server from DDoS attacks. When hosting a Minecraft server with a VPN, make sure you go for a VPN service that offers good speed, a selection of servers, a range of apps, and features like port forwarding.
What is a Modded Minecraft Server?
Modded Minecraft servers are the type of servers that have mods installed on them. They are very resource-intensive and use large amounts of RAM. Modded servers allow players to enjoy modified experiences in Minecraft without changing the game clients. These servers consist of different modpacks with different gaming styles and are usually very custom, with features not available anywhere else.
Final Thoughts: Your Minecraft World, Your Way
Video games are extremely popular today, with Minecraft being one of the most popular ones available out there – any game that allows you to build everyday items like glass bottles, is great in our book. But if you want to play it without any hassle, you would have to hire a server hosting company.
Each of these providers has something different to offer you, while one is more beginner-friendly, the other caters to advanced users. Some have great add-ons, while others have a solid uptime.
When it comes to price, with so many options available on the market, you can go for a power-packed expensive option or a more budget-friendly service hosting that fulfills your simple needs. You also have the option to get a basic server for you and your friends to enjoy the game or a massive server supporting thousands of players. And if you need to change your plan, you can always upgrade for a stress-free hosting experience.
By being in control of the server, you get to decide just how complex or unique your Minecraft world will be.
