The Best Minecraft Hosting of 2021

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Compare Minecraft Hosting

Minecraft, the world’s most popular video game, requires a secure, dedicated server. Hosting your Minecraft game on a dedicated server gives you greater control and customization options, and lets you host multiplayer games, without using up your computer’s resources.

With so many Minecraft servers to choose from, we developed this guide to help you understand the most critical server features, including CPU performance, SSD storage, low latency, DDoS protection, and more. We used expert and customer reviews to vet web hosts for performance, support, and value, and bring you our picks for the best Minecraft hosts.

We vetted hundreds of web hosts to find those offering the best support and value. Here are our experts’ picks for the top 5 Minecraft hosts:

Best Minecraft Web Hosting of 2021

Best Minecraft Web Hosting of 2020 Badge

How Did We Choose the Best Minecraft Hosts?

We reviewed hundreds of hosts against the dozens of factors needed for quality Minecraft hosting. These included processors with high clock rates; SSD storage; one-click updates for mods and plugins; and easy installation and set up.

We then factored in thousands of user reviews from our database to arrive at our list of recommended hosts.

What You’ll Learn

On this page, you will learn how to select the best hosting environment as a Minecraft advocate.

There are dozens of factors affecting your gaming experience, depending on which hosting provider you go for.

Not only is this page a guide for Minecraft fans, but anyone into gaming enough wanting to launch their own server.

Let’s dive right in.

Apex Hosting

Apex-Hosting-Logo

With servers located throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, Apex Hosting has users covered no matter where they want to host their Minecraft games.

Apex Hosting’s basic Minecraft servers start at 1 GB of RAM, although their most popular plan includes 4 GB of RAM, as well as most modpacks. Their maximum package includes 16 GB of RAM and all modpacks. Users can choose monthly billing, although those that opt for quarterly billing get a 10% discount.

This host supports both Minecraft Java edition, for Mac, Windows, and PC, as well as Minecraft Bedrock edition, for Windows, Android, and iOS. All Apex Hosting packages give users unlimited player slots, one-click pack installers, a free subdomain, and their customized Multicraft control panel. Security features include full DDoS protection and automated back-ups. Users can access support 24/7 via Apex Hosting’s live chat.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $4.49/month

Yes; 7 days

>24/7 customer support
>DDoS protection
>Automatic backups
>More features at Apex Hosting

Pros & Cons of Apex Hosting Minecraft Hosting

Apex Hosting can help users save, as well as earn, money while playing Minecraft. They offer a 10% discount for customers who get billed on a quarterly basis, and have an affiliate program with 10% recurring monthly commissions on every sale. One potential drawback is that users can only access support via live chat and tickets.

Pros

Cons

>Worldwide server locations
>Discounts available
>Affiliate program available

>No phone support

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers recommend Apex Hosting to other Minecraft players because of the reliable servers and great support. “Apex Hosting offers great services at unbeatable prices,” writes one customer. “They offer a wide range of server locations to make sure anyone can have great service, and their support is beyond optimal.”

BeastNode

BeastNode Logo

BeastNode offers both Budget and Premium plans, giving users the choice between a basic or more advanced setup for their Minecraft servers.

All plans include instant setup, unlimited player space, a free subdomain, and a free MySQL database. BeastNode offers support for many popular modpacks, including Tekkit, Feed the Beast, ATLauncher, and more, and plugins, such as Spigot and CraftBukkit. All nodes use the latest Intel Xeon processors, and are connected to premium bandwidth providers to ensure the best latency, response, and routing. Users can get up to 12 GB of RAM with BeastNode server packages.

The Premium plans include all of these features, as well as free disk space, additional technical support, full FTP access, and pricing discounts for longer billing cycles. BeastNode also has Cloud VPS plans available.

With servers located in Arizona, Illinois, and Amsterdam, BeastNode is best suited for users in North America, Central America, and Europe.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $2.99/month

Yes; 5 days

>MySQL database included
>DDoS protection
>Free subdomain
>More features at BeastNode

Pros & Cons of BeastNode Minecraft Hosting

With prices starting under $3, BeastNode is a good value, considering all users get unlimited player slots, support for multiple modpacks and plugins, and unlimited tech support. One key con is that their server locations are limited to the U.S. and Amsterdam, so this may not be a viable choice for global users.

Pros

Cons

>Low price point
>Unlimited player slots
>Budget and Premium plans available

>Limited server locations

What Customers Are Saying

BeastNode has established a loyal customer base by providing quality service and support. “I have used BeastNode’s services for upwards of 8 years now. One cannot find a better server host,” says one customer. “The customer support has always been reliable, helpful, and friendly, and the server quality is outstanding.”

BisectHosting

BisectHosting Logo

BisectHosting’s goal is to make sure users have stress-free, affordable access to Minecraft servers. To that end, they offer both Budget and Premium packages, with up to 32 GB of RAM.

All packages include unlimited NVMe SSD space (although users must abide by BisectHosting’s Fair Usage policy), custom JAR support, full FTP access, DDoS protection, free MySQL databases, and a free subdomain. BisectHosting uses the Multicraft control panel.

Upgrading to a Premium package gives users access to unlimited player slots, daily back-ups, modpack installation and updates, and a dedicated IP address. Premium subscribers also get access to more server locations throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Singapore.

Regardless of which package they choose, users can also access discounted pricing by paying on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. BisectHosting also supports both the Bedrock and Java editions of Minecraft, so users can play on any device or operating system.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $2.99/month

Yes; 3 days

>24/7 customer support
>MySQL database included
>Full FTP access
>More features at BisectHosting

Pros & Cons of BisectHosting Minecraft Hosting

BisectHosting is a good choice for Minecraft players on a budget, as their plans offer multiple features for an affordable price. This includes unlimited SSD disk space. One catch is that unlimited player slots are only available with BisectHosting’s Premium plans. Users also only have three days to request a refund if they are unsatisfied.

Pros

Cons

>Low price point
>Unlimited SSD space

>Short trial period
>Unlimited slots only available in Premium

What Customers Are Saying

Users who switch to BisectHosting report being pleased with the company’s interface and service. “Comparatively to every other server host I’ve used, BisectHosting had the best, and easiest to use back-end panel,” writes one customer. “Absolutely love the service, and will definitely use it again in the future.”

CreeperHost

CreeperHost Logo

CreeperHost aims to be a one-stop shop for all gaming and server needs. Users can easily install dozens of games, including Minecraft Java and Minecraft Bedrock editions.

Their base plan starts with two processor cores, 750 MB of RAM, and 3 GB of SSD storage. Depending on their needs, users can scale up to eight processor cores, 12000 MB of RAM, and 100 GB of SSD storage. All packages include access to a cloud virtual dedicated server, and data redundancy via RAID. Users can also add other services, such as VoIP, and database and web applications.

CreeperHost Minecraft hosting packages include their custom control panel, CreeperPanel, which subscribers can use to install games, create backups, and more. Security features offered by CreeperHost include automatic crash recovery, DDoS mitigation, and SSH access. CreeperHost supports customers 24/7, and lets customers know what their average response time is in real-time.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $3.94/month

Yes; 3 days

>99.9% uptime
>Custom control panel
>24/7 customer support
>More features at BisectHosting

Pros & Cons of CreeperHost Minecraft Hosting

With server locations throughout North America, South America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe, CreeperHost can support users around the globe. They also support installation of dozens of games, all for a relatively low price point. CreeperHost does offer a money-back guarantee, but users only have three days to request a refund if they are not satisfied.

Pros

Cons

>Worldwide server locations
>Low price point
>Other services available

>Short trial period

What Customers Are Saying

CreeperHost has many longtime fans who swear by the company’s servers for games and other uses. “They always do everything they can to help and I’ve never had an issue with the services,” writes one user. “Also the VPS and dedicated servers are useful for other things, not just game hosting.”

CubedHost

CubedHost Logo

CubedHost boasts 16 data centers across nine countries and four continents, allowing users to choose the server location that best meets their needs. They also operate dedicated MySQL servers, ensuring the lowest possible latency, so games load quickly and can be saved easily.

Users have a large number of plans to choose from, starting with 768 GB of RAM, recommended for up to five players. Based on users’ needs, CubedHost’s resources can be scaled up to 12 GB of RAM, which can accommodate games with more than 50 players. CubedHost subscribers can also take advantage of discounts when they are billed on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.

All of CubedHost’s packages come with their custom control panel, Prisma, which lets users install plugins and modpacks, manage worlds, edit config files, and easily stop, start, and restart their servers. Security features include DDoS protection and automated backups three times per day.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $3.93/month

Yes; 48 hours

>24/7 customer support
>FTP access
>Automated backups
>More features at CubedHost

Pros & Cons of CubedHost Minecraft Hosting

One of CubedHost’s unique perks is that they offer free website hosting. They also let users choose their server location, from one of 16 data centers. However, CubedHost does not include a subdomain, which is a standard feature of most other plans. They also have a short trial window of only 48 hours.

Pros

Cons

>Free web hosting included
>Users select server location

>Subdomain not included
>Short trial period

What Customers Are Saying

Customers praise CubedHost for the quality and reliability of their hardware. “I’ve been hosting my servers here for almost two years,” writes one user. “The connection is always stable, and the server is super-fast. The server dashboard provides everything from customization down to mods and it’s easy to use.”

Fragnet

Fragnet Logo

If there’s an online game you want to play, Fragnet has you covered. They have servers for dozens of popular games, including Minecraft, and Minecraft Pocket Edition.

There are eight different Minecraft hosting packages to choose from with Fragnet, starting with their Stone package, which comes with 1024 MB of RAM, and is recommended for up to five players. Their top-level Obsidian package includes 8192 MB of RAM, and can accommodate up to 100 players.

Fragnet’s Minecraft servers are supported by SSD storage and Xeon processors, guaranteeing speed and reliability. Server locations throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia also support low latency throughout most of the globe.

All Fragnet Minecraft hosting packages include the custom McMyAdmin control panel, DDoS protection, scheduled server back-ups, and one-click installation for server modifications. Users can also take advantage of coupon codes for third-party services.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $10.60/month

Yes; 5 days

>24/7 customer support
>FTP access
>Instant setup
>More features at Fragnet

Pros & Cons of Fragnet Minecraft Hosting

Although Fragnet has a higher price point than many of the other Minecraft hosts on our list, users do get certain perks with this particular server host. Fragnet does include their branding on users’ servers, and they offer a number of discount codes for partner websites. They also accept a number of different payment forms, including Bitcoin and bank transfer.

Pros

Cons

>No branding
>Coupon codes
>Multiple payment options

>High price point

What Customers Are Saying

Fragnet users report high levels of satisfaction with the Minecraft host for being reliable and responsive. “I have hosted a few game servers with Fragnet and my experience has been nothing but positive,” writes one customer. “I haven’t encountered any problems with performance and their support replies quickly.”

GGServers

GGServers Logo

GGServers support both the Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft, as well as all of the most popular modpacks, including PaperMC, Spigot, Feed the Beast, Pixelmon, and more. Users can easily install these mods and plugins from GGServers’ customized Multicraft control panel, which is included in all GGServers Minecraft hosting plans.

Customers can choose from eight different Minecraft hosting packages, in Standard and Premium formats. Both plans include 24/7 support, a free subdomain, instant activation, and DDoS protection. Users who upgrade to Premium also get unlimited slots and MySQL database access. Premium users also have more options when it comes to server locations. GGServers has data centers throughout North America, Europe, Singapore, and Australia.

Minecraft hosting packages come with anywhere from 1024 MB of RAM to 12288 MB of RAM, and users can easily upgrade or downgrade their server at any time from the control panel.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $3/month

Yes; 24 hours

>24/7 customer support
>MySQL database included
>SSD storage
>More features at GGServers

Pros & Cons of GGServers Minecraft Hosting

One of GGServers’ Minecraft hosting perks is that subscribers can add sub-users to their account, and control what permissions they have. Their relatively low price point may also make this an attractive option to users, although they only have a 24-hour window in which to request a refund if they are not satisfied.

Pros

Cons

>Low price point
>Can add subusers

>Limited server locations
>Short trial period

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers recommend GGServers, especially those who are not very technically proficient. “Very clear and concise customer service,” writes one customer. “They are patient with those who are not technologically literate. They helped get me the information to make an informed decision about my server needs.”

Hostinger

Hostinger Logo

Hostinger is well-known for offering many different types of web hosting, including shared, dedicated, and VPS, as well as Minecraft hosting.

For this specific type of hosting, there are five different packages to choose from, starting with the Alex plan. This base level plan gives users 2 GB of RAM, and two vCPUs. Hostinger’s top-tier Minecraft hosting package is the Enderman plan, which gives users 8 GB of RAM. Depending on your needs, you can easily and instantly upgrade or downgrade through the client dashboard.

All Hostinger Minecraft hosting plans include instant set-up, FTP file access, MySQL database, and the Multicraft control panel. Hostinger’s Minecraft servers use Intel Xeon processors, and Intel solid-state drives, and are supported by automatic off-site back-ups and DDoS protection. Meanwhile, Hostinger gives its subscribers all the assistance they need through 24/7 customer support and multiple tutorials.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $8.95/month

Yes; 30 days

>24/7 customer support
>Mobile app
>MySQL database included
>More features at Hostinger

Pros & Cons of Hostinger Minecraft Hosting

Of all the Minecraft hosts on our list, Hostinger offers the longest trial period. Users have 30 days to request a refund if they are not satisfied. This may be useful to users who want to make sure Hostinger is worth the price. Hostinger’s data center locations are limited to the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, and Singapore.

Pros

Cons

>Long trial period
>Root access included

>High price point
>Limited server locations

What Customers Are Saying

Hostinger stands out among Minecraft hosts for providing superior customer support. Writes one customer, “As a person who has been well trained in customer service, I find their service to be effective, timely and courteous. I have been with Hostinger for nine months, and they are always excellent to deal with.”

MCProHosting

MCProHosting Logo

MCProHosting is a top Minecraft host, for both the Java and Bedrock editions. Part of this may be attributed to their extensive network, which includes servers in 23 locations throughout North America, South America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe, supporting low latency regardless of where you and your players are.

There are different packages available depending on whether you select the Java or Bedrock edition. Both types of packages include unlimited storage space, enterprise-grade hardware, unrestricted file access, 24/7 customer support, automated daily back-ups, and MCProHosting’s customized Multicraft control panel.

Steve, the base Java package, comes with 1 GB of RAM, and 25 player slots, while Phantom, the base Bedrock package, offers 256 MB of RAM, and 10 player slots. The top-tier Java package, Herobrine, offers unlimited RAM and unlimited slots, while the highest-level Bedrock package, Llama, comes with 3 GB of RAM, and unlimited slots.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Bedrock Edition: Starts at $1.49/month
Java Edition: Starts at $7.99/month

Yes; 7 days

>24/7 customer support
>Mobile app
>Automated back-ups
>More features at MCProHosting

Pros & Cons of MCProHosting Minecraft Hosting

MCProHosting offers a range of hosting options for both the Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft, giving users a lot of flexibility. They also have one of the most extensive server networks on our list. While their Bedrock package pricing is relatively inexpensive, their starting price of Java packages is a bit higher than other hosts we reviewed.

Pros

Cons

>Worldwide server locations
>Bedrock and Java edition packages

>High price point

What Customers Are Saying

MCProHosting users commend the Minecraft host for providing quality customer service and reliable servers. “I am coming from a service that would take days to respond and MCProHosting’s response was nearly instant,” says one customer. “Less than an hour in and I am already so glad that I switched services.”

MelonCube Hosting

MelonCube-Hosting

MelonCube Hosting is dedicated to providing the highest quality Minecraft hosting at an affordable price. They pride themselves on using high-end enterprise hardware, including super-fast SSD and NVMe drives, DDR4 ECC RAM, and Intel and AMD CPUs.

There are 10 different Minecraft hosting plans to choose from with MelonCube Hosting, ranging from their base Zombie plan, which comes with 1024 MB or RAM, unlimited player slots and unlimited SSD storage, to their top-tier Dragon plan, which includes 10240 MB, as well as unlimited player slots and unlimited SSD storage.

All plans include instant set-up, scheduled tasks, MySQL database, full FTP access, a one-click plugin installer, and DDoS protection. Users can choose their server location from one of MelonCube Hosting’s four locations in Florida, Texas, Montreal, and France. MelonCube’s packages also include free trials for Enjin and Tebex, thanks to their partnerships with the plugins.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $3/month

Yes; 3 days

>24/7 customer support
>FTP access
>Automated backups
>More features at MelonCube Hosting

Pros & Cons of MelonCube Hosting Minecraft Hosting

Users who like perks will enjoy MelonCube Hosting’s 45-day free trial of Enjin, and a 30-day free trial of Tebex. Combined with their relatively low prices, this makes MelonCube a solid choice for Minecraft gamers on a budget. One key drawback is that their server locations are limited to North America and Europe.

Pros

Cons

>Low price point
>Free trials included

>Limited server locations
>Short trial period

What Customers Are Saying

“I’ve tried so many Minecraft hosting websites, but this one stands out from the rest,” says one customer of MelonCube. “They provide so much of their time to make sure the customer receives satisfactory support, and they make sure the servers are running the way the customer wants.” 

Nitrous Networks

Nitrous-Networks

Nitrous Networks is designed to host many of the world’s most popular online games, including both the Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft.

For each Minecraft edition, there are multiple packages available. Stone, the basic Java edition plan, includes 1536 MB of RAM, and can handle up to five players. Meanwhile, the Community package includes 16384 MB of RAM, supports all mods, and can host up to 300 players. Those who need a server for the Bedrock edition have six tiers to choose from, all of which include unlimited RAM and DDoS protection.

All Nitrous Networks Minecraft hosting plans include their custom control panel, NiTROpanel. They also offer free web hosting. Users can bring their own domain name, or get a free subdomain through Nitrous Networks.

Other features that come with Nitrous Networks Minecraft hosting include a MySQL database, full FTP access, a one-click modpack installer, and 24/7 ticket support.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $3.28/month

Yes; 7 days

>Instant setup
>MySQL database included
>Custom control panel
>More features at Nitrous Networks

Pros & Cons of Nitrous Networks Minecraft Hosting

Nitrous Networks gives users a lot of flexibility when it comes to customizing their Minecraft games. They support dozens of popular modpacks, including Spigot, Technic, Feed the Beast, and more, and include some free plugins, like Enjin. However, with data centers limited to North America and Europe, they may not be an optimal choice for users around the world.

Pros

Cons

>Low price point
>Free plugins
>Modpack support

>Limited server locations

What Customers Are Saying

Customers call Nitrous Networks “the best host in the world.” They go on to say, “I’ve used it for years and have only positive experience from good support to good pricing. I really recommend the host as they go the extra mile for quality and good support.”

Nodecraft

Nodecraft Logo

For those who don’t want to be tied to playing Minecraft alone, Nodecraft allows users to establish a server for up to 28 different games. Users can jump from game to game from their control panel with Nodecraft’s Save and Swap feature..

Nodecraft recommends packages based on the games you want to play, but if you just want to set up a Minecraft server, there are four different packages to choose from. Their basic plan, Nano, comes with 1 GB of RAM, 5 GB of SSD storage, and unlimited player slots. Users who need more resources can scale up to the Omega package, which offers 4 GB of RAM and 20 GB of SSD storage.

Every Nodecraft package includes a free subdomain, a dedicated IP address, a one-click modpack installer, and DDoS protection. Nodecraft has its own custom control panel, NodePanel, which works on mobile browsers as well as the Nodecraft app.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $9.98/month

Yes; 7 days

>24/7 customer support
>Unlimited players
>Custom control panel
>More features at Nodecraft

Pros & Cons of Nodecraft Minecraft Hosting

The key perk of Nodecraft is how easy they make it to swap between different online games. Also, unlike many Minecraft hosts, which only offer customer support through tickets or live chat, Nodecraft provides customer service via phone, email, and live chat. However, these features do come with a slightly higher price tag.

Pros

Cons

>Robust customer support
>No branding fees
>Good for multiple games

>High price point

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers trust Nodecraft over other hosts for their Minecraft games. “I’ve used a few different server hosts in the past, and I will never go back to them,” writes one customer. “Nodecraft is head and shoulders above the rest. Their interface is amazing, and their support staff is top-notch.”

ScalaCube

ScalaCube Logo

Minecraft gamers who love customizing their gameplay may want to consider ScalaCube for their hosting. They offer simple, one-click installation for over 1000 unique modpacks, as well as support for Forge, which lets users design their own custom modpack. ScalaCube users can also easily adjust their resources as needed to accommodate mods and plugins.

Users also control where their server is located, choosing from data centers located in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. ScalaCube’s base package comes with 768 MB of RAM, and can host up to 10 players. Their top-tier package comes with 32 GB of RAM, and can accommodate 600 players.

All ScalaCube Minecraft hosting packages also include a pre-installed website and forum, for monitoring players on the server. Their control panel allows users to create their own launcher with custom forge servers, and let other players join their server via the launcher.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $2.50/month

No

>24/7 customer support
>Unlimited slots
>Instant setups
>More features at ScalaCube

Pros & Cons of ScalaCube Minecraft Hosting

Besides the multiple customization options that ScalaCube provides to its Minecraft players, other pros of this Minecraft host include their variety of server locations, and their relatively low price point. However, they do not offer any sort of money-back guarantee, which is standard among most other Minecraft server hosts.

Pros

Cons

>Worldwide server locations
>Low price point
>Many mod packs available

>No money-back guarantee

What Customers Are Saying

ScalaCube has built a loyal customer base with its reliability, simplicity, and support. According to customers, with ScalaCube, “You get a great, user-friendly interface at a good price. They have helped me with any issues I had, and answered all my questions in a timely manner.”

ServerMiner

ServerMiner Logo

Since 2012, ServerMiner has been dedicated to providing reliable, easy-to-use Minecraft hosting to gamers all over the world. When new users sign up, they promise to have the server up and running in less than a minute.

ServerMiner offers seven different Minecraft server packages. Their entry-level Stone package comes with 1536 MB of RAM, and can host up to 15 players. Meanwhile, ServerMiner’s top-level Bedrock plan includes 10240 MB of RAM, and can accommodate up to 100 players.

Users can choose from servers located in North America, Europe, or Australia, and can easily switch servers if needed by contacting ServerMiner. All ServerMiner hosting packages include their custom control panel, SMpicnic, a one-click modpack installer, and a unique Player Tracker feature that let you track players’ geographic location and other stats. They also back-up server files for seven days, allowing users to recover world data with a single click.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $7.58/month

No

>Custom control panel
>Instant setup
>One-click plugin installer
>More features at ServerMiner

Pros & Cons of ServerMiner Minecraft Hosting

With servers located throughout North America, Europe, and Australia, ServerMiner has users in most corners of the globe covered. Other perks include freebies like 45 days of access to Enjin and BuyCraft Premium. One con to note is that ServerMiner does not offer any sort of money-back guarantee, and their price point is on the more expensive side.

Pros

Cons

>Free extras included
>Worldwide server location

>High price point
>No money-back guarantee

What Customers Are Saying

ServerMiner’s customers are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the services this Minecraft host provides. “ServerMiner is an affordable Minecraft server hosting service with amazing support staff and good specs,” says one user, who also praises the web host’s “ease of access, and excellent server quality.”

ShockByte

Shockbyte Logo

Whether you want a pre-packaged server plan, or want to customize your own server for hosting a Minecraft game, ShockByte has you covered.

This Minecraft server host offers 12 different hosting packages, as well as the option to create your own. Their entry-level Dirt plan includes 1 GB of RAM, and is recommended for up to 20 players. Users who need maximum resources can select the Titan plan, which offers 16 GB of RAM, and can host an unlimited number of players. Users can instantly upgrade or downgrade their server from their client area.

All plans include instant set-up, a free subdomain, full FTP access, free MySQL database, and the Multicraft control panel. ShockByte lets customers choose from servers in North America, Europe, Singapore, or Australia.

To protect users, ShockByte offers automatic back-ups, snapshot support, DDoS protection, and 24/7 customer support.

Price

Money-Back Guarantee

Features

Starts at $2.50/month

Yes; 24 hours

>24/7 customer support
>Instant setup
>Free subdomain
>More features at ShockByte

Pros & Cons of ShockByte Minecraft Hosting

ShockByte is one of the few Minecraft hosts we reviewed that gives users the option to customize their own server package. If you need this kind of flexibility, they might be the ideal choice for you. ShockByte is also one of the most affordable hosts on our list, but they only give users 24 hours to request a refund if they’re unsatisfied.

Pros

Cons

>Low price point
>Can create custom server

>Short trial period

What Customers Are Saying

ShockByte users like this hosting provider for its quality and affordability. “The service ShockByte offers is the best value that I have found in Minecraft servers,” one customer writes. “They have very low prices, it’s simple to use with lots of tutorials, and the customer service is top-notch.”

Compare Minecraft Hosts

Without the restrictions of a traditional video game, Minecraft offers endless opportunities. These include taking on challenges and being creative, depending on the mode players choose.

At its core, the game consists of building with textured cubes within a three-dimensional space – it’s a bit like Lego for a new generation.

Minecraft Gameplay

The Minecraft universe is procedurally generated, meaning it generates content via an algorithm during play.

Players can interact with each other in a multiplayer setting if one of them has a powerful enough hosted server.

Considered the ‘digital lego’ of our time, Minecraft has gripped the attention and commitment of more than a million people worldwide.

Bear in mind, this is on multiple platforms. There are various ways of playing the game, which we’ll cover now.


Millions of people have been won over by the distinct, vibrant, block-like world of Minecraft.

Minecraft Game Modes

Players select one of two game modes: Survival or Creative.

You can enjoy both at once in a multiplayer setting.

Minecraft Survival Mode

Survival mode puts players in a dangerous world where building with the cubes is necessary for staying alive.

Gangs of monsters and other creatures threaten and attack, requiring watchfulness, especially at night.

Health and hunger must also be monitored.

Minecraft Creative Mode

Creative mode lets you create your own experience, building with unlimited resources, free from health and hunger concerns, and without monsters.

The blocks in Creative mode are simply pulled out of the air, taking any shape or size that players desire.

Extreme Game Modes

A more extreme version of Survival mode is Hardcore mode.

Unlike Survival mode, where you may “respawn” and enjoy cheats and bonuses, the Hardcore mode doesn’t allow the difficulty level to be changed or the world to be retained after “death.”

However, some third-party tools are available for saving created worlds in Hardcore.

Not having the option to respawn or resume a previous circumstance adds a huge factor of pressure for players.

This pressure is the essence of the gripping nature of Minecraft as a world and game.

Minecraft Classroom Mode
There is even a classroom mode on the Minecraft website. How awesome!

The Difference in Game Modes

Just to sum and wrap things up, let’s take a look at differences in game modes.

Having them side-by-side makes it simpler to make any newbies understand how it all works.

Survival ModeCreative ModeHardcore Mode
Materials must be gathered to build and craft, so you can gain experience.Infinite access to all blocks and materials in the game’s world. They can also be destroyed.Essentially similar to Survival mode, but constantly on a ‘hard’ setting, with one single life.
Health, hunger, and armor bars are present.No health, armor, or hunger bars. You can also fly!One life, but still health, hunger, and armor bars are present.
There is an inventory present.Access to spawn eggs, which do not exist in Survival mode.There is an inventory present.
If you die, you go back to your spawn point.You must spawn command blocks.If you die, you either go into spectator mode forever or delete the map.
server requirements minecraft hosting

Minecraft Server Hardware Requirements

Many hosting providers specialize in Minecraft hosting, with plans and features designed to enhance the gaming experience (including additional content and custom configurations).

Renting or Hosting Your Own Server

If you want to enable a Minecraft multiplayer game, you must rent or host your own server.

You must ensure it supports the game and offers sufficient resources to support your gaming group (many hosts base plans on the total number of supported players).

Getting started is as easy as downloading the file and connecting to the server, but be sure to discuss available packages with your provider before committing to a specific plan – and be mindful of scalability.

Resource Requirements

Note that the resource requirements don’t change much based on which game mode or type you choose, whether it’s survival, PVP, or just vanilla Minecraft.

Even hobbyists can build Minecraft servers capable of handling several hundred players, with off-the-shelf components. Smaller Minecraft servers can be set up on obsolete PCs.

Since you are reading this we will assume that your needs have already outgrown such setups.

However, bear in mind that some entry-level Minecraft server plans aren’t much better than improvised solutions – and unfortunately in some cases, they are not better at all.

minecraft hosting factors

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Minecraft Hosting Plan

When selecting a hosting plan exclusively for Minecraft hosting, there are numerous ingredients to bear in mind. Some of them being:

  • Latency: In terms of latency, server location may be of paramount importance. Not only will the server location affect the general speed of the server, but the travel time of data. This is especially important if you’re aiming to launch a globally targeted server.
  • Processor: The server’s processor and processing power is a further factor to look out for. This can greatly impact scalability in the long run. Ensure you check the spec for the number of threads as well as processor generation.
  • RAM: Aim for a dedicated server – the more RAM you have, the better the server. It is worth doing some research and forum reading first, to see first-hand feedback from server hosts.
  • Storage: Ideally, a solid-state drive (SSD) is preferable. This is primarily due to a very high internal transfer rate, making it the faster form of storage. Definitely a performance booster.
  • Mod and Plugin Updates: One-click updates are preferable for the sake of ease. Free and simple plugin updates are also an ideal bonus to factor in. Not all plugins are free, but easy-update options always help in saving time.
  • Minecraft Installation and Setup: The selected hosts’ support for Minecraft, it’s installation and setup will determine how much time you spend doing it. In all honesty, this should be a basic thing to look for in any hosting provider you choose.

While not absolutely necessary, see if your hosting plan comes with a control panel. A control panel lets you upload and edit files without having to use the command line (if you’re uncomfortable with that).

Minecraft Hosting Requirements – Close-Up

Minecraft Server List

Since Minecraft is a multiplayer game, hardware requirements depend on the size of your demographic.

Furthermore, server location plays an important role in eliminating latency, especially if you want to focus on regional markets.

If you want to go after several regional markets, make sure the same host has them covered with low-latency access. Get the geography right if you are targeting a global audience.



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RAM, Processing Power, and Empty Promises

Most hosts offer dedicated RAM and shared processor power on entry-level plans. Disregard offers promising ‘unlimited RAM’ as that’s false advertising.

Promises of abundant storage are usually not a good sign. They indicate the host is using the cheapest possible mechanical storage.

RAM is divided by the number of servers hosted on each machine into dedicated lots.

Since a wide range of different plans is available, ranging from cheap VPS servers to enterprise-class hardware with solid-state drive (SSD) storage, you should check the spec carefully.

SSD storage is highly recommended and for many users, HDDs are simply not an option.

Type of CPU Load with Minecraft

CPU performance is just as important. It is worth bearing in mind that Minecraft can have a high single-thread load. Especially when packed with lots of mods and plugins.

This usually means Xeons on relatively high clocks (3.6GHz or more). We suggest you do your homework when it comes to CPUs.

Aside from the hardware, cheaper plans come with a number of limitations like:

  • Manual plugins and mod install
  • No preinstalled MySQL
  • No dedicated ports for plugins
  • Limited or no backup

Free Server Hosts – Nope

You’re unlikely to find a free Minecraft server host, unfortunately.

Even if you did, it’s performance would be terrible.

While many of these issues can be overcome, they are often a great way of wasting time and losing users in the process.

Unless you plan on spending a lot of effort on maintenance and investing time in building your community, they may be a bad choice.

Lack of timely updates will inevitably drive some users away too. The premium for automatic or 1-click updates is relatively small in return.

running own minecraft server

5 Advantages of Running Your Own Minecraft Server

Some gamers don’t ever attempt to or even think about owning a server. You clearly have, hence why you’re reading this page. Even better if you’re already in the process of setting it up!

Here are five benefits of running your own Minecraft server:

  1. Rules
  2. Community
  3. Installing Mods
  4. Teaching
  5. Provide an Environment

Rules

Your server, meaning it’s your game – you guessed it – your rules!

Create a rule-set or in-game law to match your community, make it a happy place for people to play and build.

Community

Minecraft Forums
You can build your own community, but there are also brilliant existing groups.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of creating and owning a server is having a community.

Creating and maintaining a server community will create a platform for new relationships via Minecraft. These communities are often the strongest in gaming!

Installing Mods

How cool is it to be able to install mods of all sorts to a server under your control?

Similarly to rules, mods are entirely up to you and how you want to market your server.

Teaching

While this may sound bizarre, Minecraft can act as a brilliant teaching tool.

Many kids have played the game for some years, teaching them basic server administration. This includes basic setup, Linux administration, and commands.

Provide an Environment

For every server, there is a group with a specific preference. Use your opportunity of being able to create a server to provide a community with an environment to play in.

Another rewarding aspect of owning your own Minecraft server.

Things to Watch for with Minecraft Hosting

As a recap, I wanted to highlight a few things before you go off and purchase hosting specified for Minecraft. Here they are:

  • Plenty of RAM – You’ll want a minimum of 4GB of RAM for a server meant for 7-8 players
  • Reliability – If your server goes down, the game goes down for all players. Find a host with a high uptime guarantee.
  • Any operating system – Minecraft can run on Linux or Windows, just pick the one you’re most comfortable with. Linux servers are usually cheaper.


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Recommended Reading

In this article, I recommended SSD (solid state drive) storage for Minecraft. You can learn more about SSD Hosting and pitfalls to avoid here: Compare SSD Hosting.

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