Minecraft is one of the most successful online games ever, so it’s no wonder users want to start their own game 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:
Host | Apex Hosting | Hostinger | BisectHosting | ScalaCube | Nodecraft |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price: | from $7.49 / mo | from $6.95 / mo | from $2.99 / mo | from $2.00 / mo | from $6.99 / mo |
Players: | Unlimited | 70 | 12 | 10 | Unlimited |
Control panel: | Multicraft | Multicraft | Multicraft | Custom | NodePanel 2 |
Mods allowed: | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
What to consider when choosing the best Minecraft server hosting
Unlike other types of hosting, Minecraft servers come with specific requirements that generic hosts simply can’t satisfy. Online gaming is more resource-hungry than other web applications, especially if you’re hosting a large number of players. Therefore, it’s essential to consider your own setup before choosing a provider. This will help prevent frustrating latency issues and overall disappointment.
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, 1 CPU core and a MySQL database. The bandwidth isn’t commonly limited with Minecraft hosting.
However, for an optimal gaming experience, you’ll probably want to double your resources. If you’re wondering how to play modded Minecraft with friends, you’ll need to use modpacks. More advanced Minecraft plans will give you access to mod support, and you’ll be able to host dozens of players. All of that on top of getting full FTP file access.
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 of 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. A few web hosts will even enable you to set up Minecraft modpacks in only a few additional clicks.
- 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. These companies also run different server versions and modpack solutions to help you enjoy the game the way you like it. You’ll commonly find support for Minecraft Forge, Spigot, Snapshots, or CraftBukkit.
Five of the best Minecraft server hosting companies
Now that we’ve discussed the critical requirements, let’s look at five of the best Minecraft server hosting options that are worth your attention. All of our recommendations offer a wide selection of hosting plans to suit all needs.
1. Apex Hosting
Features:
- Multicraft control panel
- Modded Minecraft servers
- Xeon processors
- SSD storage
- DDoS protection
- Free subdomain
- Unlimited player slots
- Automated backups
- Dedicated IP address
Apex Hosting offers dedicated server setups solely for 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 in just a few clicks. Also, latency shouldn’t be an issue as you can choose from 16 data centers located across the US, Canada, 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. It also brags about having the largest collection of tutorials and videos to help you learn the game. Plus, you can contact expert customer support at any time to resolve any issues quickly.
Pricing starts at $5.99 for the first month for basic servers only, then increases to $9.99 per month moving forward. This package includes 2 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.
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2. Hostinger
Features:
- Instant setup
- Modded Minecraft servers
- 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 Intel Xeon 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. While Hostinger offers web hosting all over the world, including in Australia, its Minecraft game servers are based in the US, UK, Netherlands, Singapore, and Lithuania.
As far as modding goes, Hostinger offers an installer that enables you to configure modded Minecraft servers. The installer includes a broad modpack selection for Minecraft, and it also supports third-party plugins and mods.
Pricing starts at $4.49 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 $8.95 monthly instead to avoid a long-term commitment.
3. BisectHosting
Features:
- Instant setup
- Access to over 700 Minecraft modpacks
- Custom JAR support
- FTP access
- Multicraft control panel
- Free MySQL
- 24/7 customer support
- NVMe / SSD drives
BisectHosting is another affordable provider that specializes mainly in Minecraft. It supports the Bedrock edition or Java edition 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 free server extras such as a subdomain, DDoS protection, and unlimited SSD storage (subject to fair usage).
If you want to play modded Minecraft with friends, Bisect offers a list of over 700 modpacks available to choose from. You also get to select which version of Minecraft you want to use for your server.
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
- Access to over 1000 modpacks
- 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.
If you want more control over what mods to use, ScalaCube enables you to use the forge to put together modpacks that fit your exact needs. ScalaCube also sets up a free subdomain for you, so you can start hosting games without needing to buy a domain.
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.
Pricing starts at $2.00 for the first month, then increases to $5 per month after that. The entry plan includes 10 GB of storage and 768 MB RAM. If you need additional resources, they also offer a wide selection of more advanced plans.
5. Nodecraft
Features:
- One-click installation
- Modded Minecraft servers
- 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. Plus, it’s possible to easily manage your game from your mobile device, thanks to the dedicated Nodecraft app.
The custom control panel will help you set up your server in seconds, and you’ll also get access to hundreds of modpacks. Additionally, Nodecraft offers modded Minecraft servers, which means you have the option to launch instances with mods ready to go.
Furthermore, with Nodecraft, 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 like ARK or Rust. Nodecraft enables you to switch back and forth at no additional charge.
Pricing starts at $6.99 for the first month and increases to $9.98 per month after that. The basic Nano plan includes 2 GB RAM and 10 GB SSD storage. If you need more resources, Nodecraft has premium plans that come with 4 GB RAM and 20 GB SSD for $12.99 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 and run your own Minecraft server with no hiccups. 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.
- 🏆 BisectHosting 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, Apex Hosting or Nodecraft may be a better fit.
Here’s the summary table again in case you need it:
Host | Apex Hosting | Hostinger | BisectHosting | ScalaCube | Nodecraft |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price: | from $7.49 / mo | from $6.95 / mo | from $2.99 / mo | from $2.00 / mo | from $6.99 / mo |
Players: | Unlimited | 70 | 12 | 10 | Unlimited |
Control panel: | Multicraft | Multicraft | Multicraft | Custom | NodePanel 2 |
Mods allowed: | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Do you have any questions about Minecraft server hosting? Or maybe you’re using another platform, like Shockbyte, MCProHosting, or GGServers? Let us know in the comments section below!
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