Whether you’re crafting a detailed replica of King’s Landing or experiencing survival with Alex’s Mobs, the best Minecraft server hosting ensures quick loading and lag-free performance. Minecraft excels in collaborative builds, PvP battles, and immersive roleplaying, but hosting many players from your own PC is limited, making private servers essential.
The best hosts offer minimal downtime, scalability, customization, robust security, and regular backups. I’ve reviewed the leading Minecraft servers to ensure you get the best in-game experience, so let’s dive in.
The Best Minecraft Server Hosting Tested By Our Experts
The Top 8 Minecraft Server Hosting Ranked
- Apex Hosting – Best for customizable mod support
- Hostinger – Best value option with high storage capacity
- Shockbyte – Best Minecraft Server Hosting for its unmatched uptime and instant server setup
- ScalaCube – Best scalable Minecraft hosting server
- GGServers – Best budget-friendly Minecraft hosting server
- FalixNodes – Best free Minecraft hosting server
- NodeCraft – Best for multi-game hosting
- Sparked Host – Best for seamless performance with one-click modpack installs
- Show Full Guide
The Best Minecraft Server Hosting Reviewed
When evaluating Minecraft server hosts, I started by spinning up a standard Minecraft server on each hosting platform, then looking at metrics like CPU and RAM usage, TPS (ticks per second), and response times.
I also looked at any standout features, contract lengths, cancellation policies, and money-back guarantees. Finally, I analyzed each provider’s available support options and then contacted them to see their service in action.
1. Apex – Best Minecraft Server Hosting For Customizable Mod Support
Starting Price | $5.99/month |
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Free Version/Trial | ❌ |
Key Features |
|
Storage & RAM | 32GB RAM / Storage not disclosed (Maximum) |
Uptime Guarantee | 99.99% |
Server Locations | United States, Quebec, Brazil, United Kingdom, Israel, Singapore, Australia, Turkey, Japan, India, Netherlands |
Pros
- Extensive library of one-click modpack installers
- Supports uploading custom mods via FTP
- Support team experienced with modded servers
- Automatic backups to protect server data
- DDoS protection to defend against attacks
Cons
- Pricier than budget Minecraft hosting providers
- Mod compatibility not guaranteed
- Limited server locations compared to others
2. Hostinger: Best Value With High Storage Capacity
Starting Price | $4.99/month |
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Free Version/Trial | ❌ |
Key Features |
|
Storage & RAM | 32GB RAM / 400 GB storage (Maximum) |
Uptime Guarantee | 99.90% |
Server Locations | North America, South America, Europe, Asia |
Pros
- Affordable plans starting at just $4.99/month
- Generous NVMe SSD storage
- Full root access for server customization
- Easy one-click Minecraft setup process
- Game panel for server management
Cons
- Not as customizable as some competitors
- Pricier for shorter terms
- No free trial period
3. Shockbyte: Best for Unmatched Uptime and Instant Server Setup
Starting Price | $2.99/month |
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Free Version/Trial | ❌ |
Key Features |
|
Storage & RAM | 16GB RAM / Unlimited storage (Maximum) |
Uptime Guarantee | 100% |
Server Locations | North America, Europe, Asia, Australia |
Pros
- 100% uptime guarantee
- Instant setup with one-click modpack installation
- Supports all Minecraft versions and editions
- User-friendly control panel
Cons
- Slow customer support response times
- RAM capacity capped at 16GB
- Server lag during peak hours
- Limited server locations
4. ScalaCube: Best Scalable Minecraft Server Host
Starting Price | $2.00/month |
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Free Version/Trial | ❌ |
Key Features |
|
Storage & RAM | 32GB RAM / 320 GB storage (Maximum) |
Uptime Guarantee | 99.90% |
Server Locations | Canada, France, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, United States, Germany, Poland, India |
Pros
- Scalable pricing structure
- 1000+ modpacks with one-click setup
- DDoS protection for optimal server uptime
- Automated backups to protect server data
Cons
- Expensive higher-end plans compared to others
- Lacks some advanced features
- No phone support
5. GGServers: Most Budget-friendly Minecraft Server Host
Starting Price | $3/month |
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Free Version/Trial | ❌ |
Key Features |
|
Storage & RAM | 32GB RAM / Unlimited storage (Maximum) |
Uptime Guarantee | 99.90% |
Server Locations | United States, Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore |
Pros
- Extremely affordable pricing
- Unmetered storage across all plans
- Easy-to-use Multicraft control panel
- Instant one-click setup
- 9 server locations
Cons
- No dedicated IP
- No free trial
- Limited hardware capability, even on premium plans
- NVMe storage only available for premium users
6. Falix: Best Free Minecraft Server Hosting
Starting Price | $6.50/month |
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Free Version/Trial | ✅ |
Key Features |
|
Storage & RAM | 20GB RAM / Unlimited storage (Maximum) |
Uptime Guarantee | 99.90% |
Server Locations | North America, Europe, Asia |
Pros
- 3 free Minecraft servers per account
- 5.5GB RAM and 15GB storage per free server
- FTP access and MySQL database for free
- Supports unlimited mods and plugins
- No player slot restrictions on free plan
Cons
- Servers go offline when not in use
- Free plan displays ads
- No dedicated IP for free user
7. Nodecraft: Best For Multi-Game Hosting
Starting Price | $9.98/month |
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Free Version/Trial | ✅ |
Key Features |
|
Storage & RAM | 32GB RAM / 140GB storage (Maximum) |
Uptime Guarantee | 99.90% |
Server Locations | United States, Brazil, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, Romania, Israel, Singapore, Australia, Japan, New Zealand |
Pros
- Easily switch between 31+ game titles
- Automatic backups
- Nodecraft Pro control panel for simplified management
- VPS hosting
- Free DNS, dedicated IP, and DDoS protection
Cons
- Pricier than shared Minecraft server hosting
- Free trial only 24 hours
- Limited server locations
- Not all games are available on all plans
8. Sparked Host: For One-Click Modpack Installs
Starting Price | $1.80 (Quarterly) |
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Free Version/Trial | ✅ |
Key Features |
|
Storage & RAM | 32GB RAM / 250GB storage (Maximum) |
Uptime Guarantee | 99.90% |
Server Locations | United States, Germany, Australia, Singapore |
Pros
- One-click installer for 100+ modpacks
- Apollo control panel for server management
- Server Importer and Reverse Proxy features
- Unlimited player slots on all plans
- Optimized configurations designed for modding
Cons
- Overkill for simple vanilla Minecraft servers
- No dedicated IP on entry-level servers
- Limited server locations
The Best Minecraft Server Hosting – Compared
Looking for a bird’s eye view of how each Minecraft hosting provider stacks up against its competitors? Here are the 8 best server hosts for Minecraft — compared.
Provider Name | Key Features | Starting Price | Uptime | RAM | Storage |
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Apex |
|
$5.99/month | 99.99% | 32GB | Not disclosed |
Hostinger |
|
$4.99/month | 99.90% | 32GB | 400GB |
Shockbyte |
|
$2.99/month | 100% | 16GB | Unlimited |
ScalaCube |
|
$2.00/month | 99.90% | 32GB | 320GB |
GGServers |
|
$3.00/month | 99.90% | 32GB | Unlimited |
Falix |
|
$6.50/month | 99.90% | 20GB | Unlimited |
Nodecraft |
|
$9.98/month | 99.90% | 32GB | 140GB |
Sparked |
|
$1.80/quarterly | 99.90% | 32GB | 250GB |
How We Review And Test Hosting Providers
15 Providers Tested
20 Data Points Measured
300+ Hours Testing
500+ User Reviews Read
To be able to offer our readers factual information and only the best web hosting solutions, we evaluate and test the most popular hosts in the market. Here are the main factors we focus on:
- Features: We ensure the provider includes basic features like a custom domain, an SSL, generous storage and bandwidth, and email accounts, as well as advanced tools like domain protection, staging, automated backups, and more.
- Ease of use: It’s important that, regardless of their experience managing a site, all users can quickly and easily navigate the hosting provider’s dashboard. All providers on our list either offer an easy-to-navigate custom panel or a widely used cPanel.
- Performance: We ensure the provider offers at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee and uses up-to-date and functional servers. We test this by setting up a site with each provider, testing site loading speed and traffic handling capabilities, and monitoring the uptime.
- Customer Support: We ensure that users can reach customer support 24/7 via various support channels. We also contact them to test whether the support agents are knowledgeable and efficient.
- Value for Money: We evaluate the features within the package and the price point it retails for. We only recommend plans that offer the best value for money.
What Is Minecraft Server Hosting?
Minecraft Server Hosting is a specialized web hosting service that allows users to host and manage their own Minecraft servers. With it, you have full control over the server’s settings, plugins, and rules, enabling you to customize your gameplay experience.
Free Vs. Paid Minecraft Server Hosting – Which Is Better?
While it is technically possible to host a Minecraft server for free with providers like Falix, it comes with several challenges and limitations. For example, Falix’s free plan lets you host no more than 3 servers with 5.5GB RAM and 15GB storage space.
On the other hand, paid hosting providers offer more well-performing servers with ample RAM, CPU power, and SSD storage. Many of them also offer 24/7 premium support for when your server runs into any issues. This helps you simplify troubleshooting and avoid downtime.
What Is the Best Free Minecraft Server Hosting?
Of all the Minecraft hosting providers we’ve reviewed, Falix has the most generous free plan. It comes with no strings attached — with unlimited player slots and no time restrictions. However, the free plan is still limited. It lets you host up to 3 servers with 5.5GB RAM and 15GB storage for each.
Also, the server goes offline whenever there are no active players. This may not be an issue for smaller communities, but larger ones may experience issues with the time it takes to load the server again.
How Much RAM Do I Need for a Minecraft Server?
The amount of RAM your Minecraft server needs depends on several factors, such as the number of players, world size, and the number of plugins or mods installed. Here are some general guidelines from MC Utils:
- For a small server (up to 10 players) with a basic world and few plugins/mods, 2-4GB of RAM is recommended.
- For a medium-sized server (up to 30 players) with a larger world and more plugins/mods, 4-6GB of RAM is ideal.
- For a large server (50+ players) with an expansive world and numerous plugins/mods, 8GB or more of RAM may be necessary.
Keep in mind that these are general recommendations, and it’s always better to have slightly more RAM than you think you need for a lag-free experience.
How to Choose the Best Hosting Provider for Minecraft?
Minecraft servers have very different requirements from what typical web hosts offer, making it more challenging to find the right provider to settle on. If you’re on the hunt for a Minecraft host, here are a few specific things to look out for when making your decision:
While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest Minecraft hosting option, you should also consider value. Avoid hosts with hidden fees or steep charges for basic features.
Look for detailed information on your server’s hardware configuration to determine if it offers the best possible value. Also, consider the level of handholding you need during the setup process, which can significantly impact the price.
Setting up and managing a Minecraft server can be complex, especially for beginners. Choose a host that offers a user-friendly control panel and streamlined setup process.
One-click installers for modpacks and plugins are a huge plus, saving you time and hassle. Another thing to look for is server management tools like a Multicraft control panel or a full-access FTP.
To ensure a lag-free experience for your players, select a host with powerful hardware and ample resources. Look for providers offering at least 2-4GB of RAM for small to medium servers and consider upgrading to 8GB+ for larger player counts or modded setups.
CPU is also important — aim for at least a dual-core processor for small servers and quad-core or better for larger ones.
Uptime refers to the percentage of time your Minecraft server is accessible to players. Choose a host with a proven track record of reliability and uptime guarantees of 99.9% or higher.
Prioritize features like DDoS protection, high storage and bandwidth, and automatic backups to ensure that your servers stay online and can be restored quickly if they do.
Even with the best hosting, issues can arise. Look for providers offering 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, such as live chat, email, and tickets. Responsive support agents can make all the difference when troubleshooting problems.
Some hosting providers even offer specialized setup assistance and white-glove support concierge for an even smoother experience.
As your Minecraft community grows, your hosting needs may change. Choose a provider that offers easy scalability, allowing you to upgrade resources or switch plans without hassle. Flexible billing options, unlimited player slots, and the ability to add more RAM on demand are all valuable features.
If you can, look for a provider with dedicated server transfer capabilities to assist with data import and export.
FAQs
What Minecraft server host is best?
What is the best free 24/7 Minecraft server hosting?
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What are the benefits of Minecraft server hosting?
References
- Multicraft – (Multicraft)
- RAM Calculator – (MC Utils)