5 Best Minecraft Server Hosting in 2023 (Ranked!)
With a game that’s as beloved and agile as Minecraft it’s not much of a surprise that many people are looking towards setting up their own Minecraft server.
There are several ways you can play Minecraft with friends, but the most versatile by far is on a Minecraft server that is hosted online.
1. Hostinger
https://www.hostinger.com/
RAM
2GB
No. of Players
70
Price (USD)
$8.95/mo
Key Features
- 99.9% Uptime
- DDoS Protection
- Instant Setup
- Multicraft Panel
- Dual CPU
"Hostinger has successfully harnessed the power of web servers for gaming."
Hostinger is our top pick as Minecraft hosting provider for a number of reasons. The first and foremost is that it is extremely rare to find a host that offers plans specially built to cater for Minecraft hosting.
Their Minecraft hosting plans are built on VPS servers, meaning you will get the dedicated resources needed to host Minecraft. Their plan structure is also built around the concept, offering a minimum of 2GB memory, near instant Minecraft server setup, and technical support that can help if you get stuck.
Setting up your Minecraft Server with Hostinger
Check out the video below and see how we set the servers up.
Hostinger is one of our top hosts!
Read our in-depth review on Hostinger to find out why!
2. Shockbyte
https://shockbyte.com/
RAM
1GB
No. of Players
20
Price (USD)
$2.50/mo
Key Features
- 100% Uptime
- DDoS Protection
- Instant Setup
- Multicraft Panel
- Unlimited SSD
"Shockbyte has turned gaming into big business, allowing for power and scalability."
Shockbyte is an Australian-registered company that specializes in renting out game servers. Their key focus areas are Minecraft, ARK: Survival Evolved, and Rust – with plans to support more titles.
Their plans are very focused and you can choose one that is very directly suited for your needs. Their experience with Minecraft allows them to offer some good suggestions, and this is a good place to go for specialized Minecraft hosting.
3. BisectHosting
https://www.bisecthosting.com/
RAM
1GB
No. of Players
12
Price (USD)
$2.99/mo
Key Features
- Daily Backup
- DDoS Protection
- Instant Setup
- Multicraft Panel
- SSD Servers
"Keeping it simple, BisectHosting supports Minecraft Java and Bedrock."
BisectHosting is another popular name in Minecraft hosting although it does offer almost all other web-related services. Due to the scope of their hosting plans, Bisect is more streamlined when it comes to Minecraft, supporting either the Java version or Bedrock.
A strong distinguishing feature is that all of Bisect’s Minecraft hosting plans have unlimited SSD storage, even on their cheapest plan. This is of course subject to their fair usage policy, meaning you can use it, but not abuse it.
4. GGServers
https://ggservers.com/
RAM
1GB
No. of Players
12
Price (USD)
$3.00/mo
Key Features
- Instant Setup
- DDoS Protection
- Multicraft Panel
- 1-Click Installer
- Unmetered SSD
"Take Minecraft hosting to the next level on GGServers with 1-click modpack installs."
GGServers is a Canandian web hosting company that offers web hosting, but also specializes in game servers. They have servers for a variety of games including Minecraft and have deployed more than half a million of these, to date.
They offer high-performance specs on their game servers and have a good spread of nine data center locations around the globe to choose from. Plans vary depending on resources provided and start at a basic 1GB RAM supporting 12 player slots.
5. Apex Hosting
https://apexminecrafthosting.com/
RAM
1GB
No. of Players
12
Price (USD)
$3.99/mo
Key Features
- 99.9% Uptime
- Instant Setup
- DDoS Protection
- Multicraft Panel
- 1-Click Installer
"Get not only the hardware for Minecraft but also the support that you need to setup your server."
Apex Hosting is only focused on Minecraft and they offer 15 locations for servers worldwide with more coming. Their plans start small with a basic 1GB of RAM, but all plans come with a custom subdomain.
Their claim to fame lies in extensive support for Minecraft, featuring an easy to use control panel, video tutorials and the ability to get Minecraft servers up and running in a mere five minutes. Help is also available via live chat and a ticketing system.
What is Minecraft?
Think of Minecraft as the modern day version of a classic that hasn’t gone out of style. In fact, I’ve seen it referred to before as virtual Lego. This might not be accurate though as Minecraft has become so popular that there’s even an entire Lego theme of it!
Its simplistic graphics coupled by basic gameplay that still allows a great deal of innovation has made this game skyrocket in popularity.
Thanks to its supportive fan base, Minecraft has been able to push out onto virtually all digital platforms, from desktop computers to mobile devices and consoles. Today, Minecraft is available in plain vanilla or as one of many custom builds that fans and developers have created.
Multiplayer mode in Minecraft
While Minecraft can be enjoyed in solo mode, its multiplayer feature is a major attraction. Players can engage in various activities, including waging wars, cooperative quests, or peacefully coexisting on their virtual plots of land. There are four main options for multiplayer mode:
- Local Area Network (LAN)
A LAN connects a group of computers in a smaller (more localized) space. For example, linking a few computers in a room is considered a LAN. - Minecraft Realms
The Realms concept was created by Minecraft designers to allow players to quickly host Minecraft games via the service. It’s subscription based, on top of the cost of Minecraft. - Split Screen
This is for consoles only and allows up to four users to play Minecraft together side by side using a single screen. - Online Server
This is the most interesting of all and involves a user actually setting up an entire online environment from scratch to host Minecraft games. Most usually the host will rent server space from a web hosting company for this purpose.
Minimum Minecraft Server Hosting Requirements
Minimum Minecraft server hosting requirements are relatively modest compared to other resource-intensive games. For basic setups of Vanilla Minecraft and a small player group of around 10, you can get by with the following specifications:
Minimum Req.
- 1GB RAM
- 1 CPU Core
Recommended Req.
- 2GB RAM
- 2 CPU Core
Storage space is generally not a significant concern, as long as it is SSD-based. However, as you scale up and consider larger player groups or the use of mods, the requirements will increase accordingly. For hosting around 50 players or more, it’s advisable to consider VPS hosting with higher RAM capacity.
For example, Hostinger offers the Minecraft Villager Plan with 3GB of RAM for $12.95/month. It’s important to note that as you accommodate more players, the hosting cost will also rise.
Benefits of Running Your Own Minecraft Server
Hosting your own Minecraft server may initially seem daunting, but there are several compelling reasons to consider it:
- Freedom of choice in mods
By hosting your own server, you have the freedom to choose and install the mods you want. No more limitations or missing out on exciting plugins.
- Building a community
Minecraft offers a platform to create a small community of friends within the game, allowing you to connect and play together regardless of physical distance.
- Customized rules
Unlike larger hosting communities with strict rules, hosting your own server allows you to set rules that suit your specific group, giving you more control over the gameplay experience.
- As a teaching tool
Minecraft can serve as an effective teaching tool, offering opportunities for social experiments and teaching important concepts to young minds in a fun and interactive environment.
- Monetization
While hosting Minecraft servers can be costly, Microsoft has provided avenues to offset expenses. You can monetize your server through in-game advertising, setting up web stores, and other strategies.
Consider Minecraft hosting as a creative opportunity rather than just a game, and explore the possibilities it offers beyond mere entertainment.
What To Look For in Minecraft Server Hosting?
To ensure a smooth Minecraft hosting experience, it’s important to delve into the specific requirements and considerations. While these factors generally apply to most web hosting options, some providers offer specialized Minecraft hosting plans with additional features tailored for the game.
Running a Minecraft server necessitates the hardware and bandwidth to support it. Unless you have your own data center, you’ll need to rent server space from a web hosting company. When selecting a Minecraft hosting plan, the following aspects should be taken into account:
- Processor
Gaming environments, including Minecraft, demand significant processing power. The processing time is usually measured in clock cycles (MHz or GHz). Shared hosting divides the processor time among multiple accounts, while VPS or cloud hosting plans offer exclusive access to allocated resources. - Memory
Random Access Memory (RAM) is crucial for efficient server performance. It serves as fast, volatile storage used for running processes. Insufficient memory can lead to frequent data swapping between RAM and storage, resulting in decreased performance. Shared hosting relies on a shared memory pool, while VPS or cloud plans provide dedicated memory resources. - Storage type and space
Although Minecraft is not excessively storage-intensive, using Solid State Drive (SSD) storage can enhance performance. It’s important to understand the distinctions in this area. Some hosts offer SSD-based server software while storing data on regular storage, while others provide a full SSD solution where everything is stored on SSD. - Server location
The location of the server plays a critical role in Minecraft hosting. Servers located far from the players may result in high latency (lag). You can use our Server Speed Checker to check if the server you’re using is fast! If you have a global player base, it may be challenging to address this issue. However, for localized hosting, selecting a web host with servers in or near the target region can significantly reduce game lag. - Minecraft-specific support
Certain web hosts offer specialized hosting plans designed for Minecraft servers. These plans often come with additional support specific to Minecraft hosting, such as assistance with installation and setup. It’s recommended to reach out to the host and inquire about the level of support provided before selecting a plan. - Avoid overly cheap Minecraft hosting plans
While some hosting companies offer very low-priced plans, caution is advised when considering such options. These plans may compromise on service quality and cut corners, ultimately leading to a subpar gaming experience. It’s important to strike a balance between affordability and reliable performance.
Conclusion: For Diehard Minecraft Fans
RAM
NO. OF
PLAYERS
PRICE (USD/MO)
As you can probably tell by now, hosting a Minecraft server doesn’t have to be terribly complex. In fact, the beauty of it is that since you’re in control, you can decide exactly how complex you want your Minecraft world to be.
Whether that means a massive server supporting thousands of players or a basic one for friends to interact together, the final decision is yours. Cost also isn’t necessarily a factor as you can see, since there are many ways that help you potentially recoup your costs.
Ultimately, hosting your own Minecraft server is a labour of love – and for diehard fans of the game, certainly something to consider. If you’re still on the edge and deciding if this is right for you, talk to the folks at Hostinger (which offers real Minecraft hosting plans & support) to see if they can advise you either way.
