A cheap Minecraft server that is honest about it
Small price, full panel, no corners cut on the basics.
Starter gives you 2 GB of RAM and 2 vCPU for 4.99 USD a month, and new customers pay 2.49 USD for the first month. Here is exactly what it runs well, and when to pick something bigger.
Staying longer? Subscribe and get 50% off your first month
- DDoS protected
- 24/7 support
- Live the moment you pay
- Split the billUp to 10 friends, own cards
- Custom plansAny RAM up to 32 GB
- Prepaid or monthly3 days to 1 year
- Live in 60 secondsNo setup, no waiting
- Cancel any timeNo contracts, ever
What you get for the money
Everything bigger plans get, on less RAM
The cheapest plan is not a stripped down product. Starter runs any of the six server types, Paper, Purpur, Vanilla, Fabric, Forge and NeoForge, with the same control panel, full file access and SFTP, whitelist and op buttons, DDoS protection and backups before every game update.
The only thing you give up is memory. Billed yearly it costs 49.90 USD, which is ten months for twelve.
Who Starter fits, and who it does not
Starter is sized for up to 10 players. In practice 2 GB is the comfortable size for vanilla or Paper with up to five friends, especially when everyone explores in different directions and loads their own chunks.
It is not for modpacks. Every mod loads into memory before anyone joins, and even a light pack wants 6 GB. A Paper server with a normal plugin list and 10 to 25 players belongs on Standard with 4 GB. Buying the cheap plan for a modpack only buys you crashes, so we would rather say so up front.
Make 2 GB go further
Run Paper rather than Vanilla. It plays the same, uses memory better and is where every server starts. Lower simulation-distance to 6 in server.properties, and pregenerate the map with the Chunky plugin while nobody is online so exploring does not stall everyone else.
Plugins like EssentialsX, LuckPerms and CoreProtect barely touch memory, so a small group keeps homes and rollbacks without leaving Starter. Paper ships spark too, and spark health tells you whether you are actually short on RAM before you spend more.
Cheaper still when friends chip in
Split with friends at checkout and each person pays their own share from a link, with a 1 USD fee per share. Starter split two ways is about 3.50 USD each a month. When the group grows, upgrade from the dashboard and pay only the prorated difference. Your world, plugins and settings stay put.
There is no contract, so cancel any time, and a new customer's first purchase has a 72 hour full refund if it is not for you.
Pick your Minecraft plan
Every plan is live the moment you pay. Upgrade or cancel from your dashboard any time.
Starter
2 GBThen $4.99/mo. $0.17 a day.
- 2 GB RAM
- 2 vCPU cores
- Up to 5 players
- DDoS protection included
- 24/7 support
Standard
4 GBThen $9.99/mo. $0.33 a day.
- 4 GB RAM
- 2 vCPU cores
- Up to 12 players
- DDoS protection included
- 24/7 support
Pro
8 GBThen $19.99/mo. $0.67 a day.
Splitting with 3 friends? $6.02 each/mo
- 8 GB RAM
- 2 vCPU cores
- Up to 30 players
- DDoS protection included
- 24/7 support
Elite
12 GBThen $29.99/mo. $1.00 a day.
Splitting with 3 friends? $8.52 each/mo
- 12 GB RAM
- 3 vCPU cores
- Up to 60 players
- DDoS protection included
- 24/7 support
What comes set up on a Minecraft server
2.49 USD first month
New customers get 50% off the first month on monthly plans.
All six server types
Paper, Purpur, Vanilla, Fabric, Forge and NeoForge on the cheapest plan too.
Split the bill
Each friend pays their own share from a link.
Upgrade when you grow
Move to 4, 8 or 12 GB from the dashboard and keep your world.
DDoS protection included
The cheapest plan sits behind the same protection as the biggest.
No contracts
Cancel any time, with a 72 hour refund on your first purchase.
A look inside Minecraft
Real screenshots from the game. Click any of them to see it full size.
This is the panel. Click around.
This is the Minecraft panel you get. Click any button, or type a command.
Minecraft Server
play.gamezservers.com:25565
[12:00:00] Starting Minecraft: Java Edition server
[12:00:03] Loading world
[12:00:06] Server started on port 25565
[12:00:09] Ready for players. Try a button.
Power
Minecraft actions
How to join your Minecraft server
- 1
Open Minecraft: Java Edition on the same version as your server.
- 2
Click Multiplayer, then Add Server.
- 3
Paste
203.0.113.24:25565as the Server Address, including the port, and click Done. - 4
Double click the server in your list to join. Send the same address to your friends.
Common problems
Include the port
Paste the whole address, including the colon and the number after it. Without the port Minecraft looks in the wrong place and says it cannot connect.
"Outdated client" or "Outdated server"
Your game and the server are on different versions. Ask the owner which version the server runs, then in the Minecraft Launcher open Installations, click New installation, pick that version and play it.
Playing on phone, console or Bedrock?
Only Minecraft: Java Edition on PC and Mac can join a Java server. Bedrock players need the owner to install Geyser first.
Commands say you do not have permission
Commands like /gamemode only work for operators. The owner can make you one with Make operator in the dashboard.
Server not responding
Make sure the server is online. Servers sleep after 4 days with nobody playing, and anyone with access can start them again from the dashboard in one click.
Use the server address
Do not use localhost, 127.0.0.1 or your own IP from a home hosting guide. Copy the exact address of the server.
No port forwarding or firewall changes
Opening ports on your router is only for hosting a server at home, so there is nothing to change to join this one. If Windows asks whether to let the game through the firewall, choose Allow.
Common questions
Is 2 GB enough for a Minecraft server?
For vanilla or Paper with up to about five friends, yes. It is not enough for modpacks, and it gets tight with lots of players exploring new chunks at the same time.
Can I run mods on the cheapest plan?
Every server type is available, but mods are where 2 GB runs out. Even a handful of Fabric mods wants 4 to 6 GB, and modpacks need 6 GB or more, so they belong on Pro with 8 GB.
How do I make it even cheaper?
Pay yearly for 49.90 USD, which costs ten months, or split the monthly bill with friends so each pays their own share plus a 1 USD fee per share.
What happens when we outgrow Starter?
Pick a bigger plan in Settings and restart. The price difference is prorated, and your world, plugins and mods stay where they are. You can also downgrade later.
What if it does not work out?
A new customer's first purchase can be refunded in full within 72 hours, and you can cancel any time after that with no contract.
Can I run mods and modpacks?
Yes. Choose Fabric, Forge or NeoForge on the Minecraft version your mods need, then upload them to the mods folder. Bigger modpacks run best on 8 GB or more.
Does Bedrock work?
This plan runs Java Edition. Bedrock players can join through Geyser if you add it.
Can I upload my existing world?
Yes. Upload your world folder and it loads on the next start.
Can my friends and I split the cost?
Yes. At checkout choose "Me and my friends" and up to 10 people each pay their own share with their own card, on any plan length, from 3 days to a year. It is not a payment plan: nobody pays in parts over time, each friend simply pays their own share. You pay yours, send each friend their link, and the server starts straight away. Each share includes a $1 payment fee.
Can I build a custom plan?
Yes. Every game has a Build your own page: pick any amount of RAM up to 32 GB, any length from 3 days to 1 year, prepaid or a subscription, plus your server type and settings. A custom size costs 15% more per GB than the standard plans next to it.
Can I pay once instead of a subscription?
Yes. Pick Prepaid and pay once for 3 days, 30 days, 6 months or a year. Nothing renews: when the time is up the server pauses and keeps its world for 14 days. Add time or switch to a subscription from your panel any time. Short rentals cost more per day, since every server is set up from scratch.
How fast is setup, really?
Your server starts building the moment Stripe confirms payment. Most are online in under a minute, and the address and login appear on your dashboard automatically.
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