5 Best Minecraft Server Hosting Options (From $2.50 / Month)

Minecraft is one of the most successful online games ever, so it’s no wonder users want to start their own servers to run custom setups for multiple players. However, finding the best Minecraft server hosting companies can be tricky due to the game’s high resource needs.

Fortunately, there are some reliable options that many online gamers will appreciate. They enable you to host multiplayer games without having to set up the entire environment from scratch. Also, you’ll get a choice of mods that are easy to install even without prior experience.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the best Minecraft server hosting companies that will suit all budgets. We’ll also discuss what features to look out for when choosing a hosting provider. Let’s get right to it!

 In a hurry?  Here’s a summary of our findings:

What to consider when choosing the best Minecraft server hosting

Unlike other types of hosting, Minecraft servers come with specific requirements that generic ones won’t satisfy. Online gaming is more resource-hungry than other web applications, especially if you plan to host multiple players. Therefore, it’s essential to consider your needs before selecting a provider to avoid disappointment and frustrating latency issues.

For the basic ‘vanilla’ Minecraft setup, a simple Virtual Private Server (VPS) is usually sufficient. You might be able to accommodate around ten players as long as you have a minimum of 1 GB RAM and 1 CPU core.

However, for an optimal gaming experience, you’ll probably want to double your resources. Plus, if you intend to use modpacks or have dozens of players, you’ll need to invest in more advanced plans that give you more power.

Whether you’re looking for a vanilla or modded setup, you’ll want a consistent set of features to ensure the most enjoyable and hassle-free gaming experience. For instance, it’s best to choose a server strong enough to host multiple users, even if you intend to play with just a couple of people. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection and security are also must-haves while gaming online.

Besides that, it’s also smart to consider the following:

• Easy setup. It’s helpful if the server configuration is straightforward. All our recommendations offer a one-click setup or wizard to guide you through the process.
• Control panel. If you’re opting for multiple mods and plugins, you should be able to customize your preferences easily via an intuitive interface. Many providers offer Multicraft or custom panels.
• Mods allowed. Some companies include mods and plugins in their packages free of charge. You should also be able to install them easily with one click.
• Multiple server locations. For lower latency and faster connection, it’s best to choose a server close to your geographical location. You should be able to pick from multiple data centers around the world.
• Contract length. Consider your budget and whether you want to commit to a long-term contract.

Finally, look out for advanced hardware specifications such as SSD storage and high-performance CPUs. There’s nothing more frustrating than losing connection or crashing, so a 99.99% uptime and decent RAM are also necessities.

Five of the best Minecraft server hosting companies

Now that we’ve discussed the critical requirements of Minecraft server hosting, let’s look at five of the best companies that are worth your attention. All of our recommendations offer a wide selection of plans to suit all needs.

1. Hostinger

Features:

• Instant setup
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP) access
• Free MySQL
• Multicraft panel
• PCI compliance for payment processing
• Automatic backups
• 99.99% uptime
• Mobile app

Hostinger is a reliable option if you need a Minecraft server or web hosting in general. It offers a range of affordable services including shared, cloud, and VPS hosting. It also gives you a choice of several Minecraft plans, which deliver all the must-have features, such as DDoS protection and dual CPU hardware.

Hostinger’s Minecraft packages are built on VPS servers, so you’ll have dedicated resources to play the game exactly as you want. Besides, you’ll be able to install any modpack you like and change your server location at any time. Currently, Hostinger’s Minecraft servers are based in the US, UK, Netherlands, Singapore, and Lithuania.

Pricing starts at $8.95 per month for the basic Alex plan, which includes 2 GB of RAM and 2 vCPU. Note that you’ll have to opt for a four-year contract to access this price, but you can pay $11.95 monthly instead to avoid a long-term commitment.

2. Apex Hosting

Features:

• Multicraft control panel
• Xeon processors
• SSD storage
• DDoS protection
• Free subdomain
• Unlimited players
• Automated backups
• Dedicated IP address

Apex Hosting offers services dedicated solely to Minecraft, so rest assured you’ll get all the necessary features under one roof. You’ll be able to set up your server and install modpacks with a matter of a few clicks. Also, latency shouldn’t be an issue as you can choose from 16 data centers located across the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.

In addition, Apex comes packed with useful extras such as a built-in donation plugin and Java edition mini-games. Plus, you can contact expert customer support at any time so that you can resolve any issues quickly.

Pricing starts at $4.49 for the first month for basic servers only, then increases to $5.99 per month moving forward. This package includes 1 GB RAM and doesn’t support mods. However, there are plenty of other options available if you want to install modpacks and access more powerful resources.

You may also be interested in:

3. Bisect Hosting

Features:

• Instant setup
• Custom JAR support
• FTP access
• Multicraft control panel
• Free MySQL
• 24/7 customer support

Bisect Hosting is another affordable provider that specializes mainly in Minecraft servers. It supports the Bedrock or Java editions and gives you scalable resources with an impressive range of plans. You can also fully customize your experience by following the signup wizard if you’re not quite sure which package is right for you.

Depending on your plan, Bisect gives you a choice of 17 data centers so that you can minimize latency issues. Server locations include the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. You also get freebies such as a subdomain, DDoS protection, and unlimited SSD storage, subject to fair usage.

Pricing starts at only $2.99 per month for up to 12 slots and 1 GB of storage. Premium packages start from $7.99 per month and include unlimited slots, daily backups, modpacks, dedicated IP addresses, and Sponge installation.

4. ScalaCube

Features:

• Custom control panel
• Free MySQL
• SSD storage
• DDoS protection
• Instant setup
• Access to mini-games
• Custom JAR
• Free domain

ScalaCube is a feature-rich provider offering hosting services suited for multiple games. Its Minecraft packages come with a one-click installation option and over 1,000 modpacks. You can also create your own launcher so that players can connect directly to your server. On top of that, you get a pre-installed website and a forum included in each plan, making it an appealing option for popular game hosts.

ScalaCube promises 99.99% uptime and support for unlimited slots. Depending on the plugins and mods installed, it’s up to you to distribute the resources, so you can accommodate as many players as you want.

Apart from that, you get all the must-haves such as:

Pricing starts at $2.50 for the first month, which increases to $5 per month after that. The entry plan includes 10 GB of storage and 768 MB RAM. If you need more resources, there is also a wide selection of more advanced plans.

5. Nodecraft

Features:

• One-click installation
• Custom control panel
• Unlimited slots
• SSD drives
• Free subdomain
• Automatic updates
• Dedicated IP addresses

Our last recommendation is Nodecraft, a gamer-friendly provider with services that are highly optimized for Minecraft. It promises no lag, which is possible thanks to its high-performance hardware with Xeon processors. The custom control panel will help you set up your server in seconds, and you’ll also get access to hundreds of modpacks. Plus, you can easily manage your game from your mobile device, thanks to the dedicated Nodecraft app.

In addition, you get to choose from 12 data centers that are DDoS protected. Server locations include the US, Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. You’ll also enjoy playing with no crashes or interruptions as Nodecraft only allows 12 customers per device on average.

Finally, if you ever get tired of Minecraft, you can easily swap your server’s features to another game. Nodecraft enables you to switch back and forth at no additional charge.

Pricing starts at $4.99 for the first month and increases to $9.98 per month after that. The basic Nano plan includes 1 GB RAM and 5 GB SSD storage. If you need more resources, the Keelo plan comes highly recommended with 2 GB RAM and 10 GB SSD for $9.99 for the first month.

Conclusion

A reliable Minecraft server host should offer high performance and low latency so that you can enjoy the game with no interruptions. Also, having access to pre-built plugins and modpacks is an excellent bonus.

In this article, we’ve discussed the five best Minecraft server hosting companies.

• ? Apex Hosting is our top pick for casual players due to the fact that it’s specifically optimized for the game and offers some of the most affordable pricing.
• ? For more advanced players looking to host large-scale games, ScalaCube or Nodecraft may be a better fit.

Here’s the summary table again in case you need it:

Do you have any questions about Minecraft server hosting? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Keep reading the article at CodeinWP. The article was originally written by John Hughes on 2020-12-10 06:52:24.

The article was hand-picked and curated for you by the Editorial Team of WP Archives.