Dedicated IP vs Shared IP for a Game Server: Does It Matter?

Most hosted game servers share one IP address with other servers on the same machine, and each server gets its own port, which is why your address looks like 203.0.113.10:27412 instead of the game's default port. For a friend group that is completely fine: players paste the full address once and save it. A dedicated IP, where your server is the only one on that address and can use the default port, mostly matters for games that cannot handle a non default port well, for clean domain names without a port, and for large public servers that want a tidy, permanent address.

How a game server address works

A server address has two parts:

203.0.113.10:25565
   IP address  port

The IP address finds the machine. The port finds the program on that machine. One IP can serve thousands of ports, so a host can run many game servers on one address by giving each a different port.

Every game has a default port it expects:

Only one server on a shared IP can have the default port. Everyone else gets a different one.

Shared IP: how it affects you

Joining

Players need to type the port. For Minecraft Java, 203.0.113.10:27412 works in the Server Address box. For Valheim, you paste 203.0.113.10:27412 into Join IP. Once it is saved in the server list, nobody types it again.

Games with extra ports

Some games use more than one port: a game port and a query port for the server browser, or a range like Valheim's three. On a shared IP, the host has to move all of them together. Good hosts set this for you in the server's settings. If you edit start up options by hand and change the port, the server may stop showing in the browser.

The server browser

Most server browsers handle non default ports without trouble, since they read the query port the server reports. A few older games assume the default port and need the full address added to favorites.

Domain names

A domain like play.example.com points to an IP, not a port. With a shared IP, players still need the port, unless the game supports SRV records. Minecraft Java does, so you can hide the port completely. See how to use a custom domain for a game server.

Reputation

On a shared IP, you share the address with other servers. If another server on the same IP gets attacked, DDoS filtering protects the whole address, so in practice neighbors do not cause trouble for you with a good host.

Dedicated IP: what it gives you

• The default port. Players can type just the IP, or a domain without a port.
• A clean domain for every game, not only Minecraft.
• An address that does not change if the host moves your server between machines. On a shared IP, a move often changes the IP.
• Separation from other servers' traffic, which mostly matters for big public communities.

When a dedicated IP is worth paying for

• A large public community that advertises one address everywhere.
• A game that does not handle non default ports well.
• You want play.yourname.com with no port in a game that does not support SRV records.
• You run several servers and want them on one recognizable address.

When it is not

• A friend group, where everyone saves the address once.
• Minecraft Java, where an SRV record hides the port for free.
• Short lived servers you will switch or cancel in a few months.

Many hosts charge extra each month for a dedicated IP. Our list of game server add ons that should be free covers which extras are fair.

Common problems with ports on shared IPs

"Can't connect" after typing the IP only. You left off the port. Paste the full address from the control panel.

Server shows in the browser but nobody can join. The query port and game port do not match what the server reports. Do not change ports by hand in the start up options; use the address the host gives you.

Players type the default port by habit. Put the full address in your join instructions and pin it. How to invite friends to your game server has a message template.

The address changed after a move. If your host moved you to another machine, the IP may change. Update your saved server and any domain records.

What you get on GamezServers

Every GamezServers server has its own address shown at the top of the control panel: click it to copy, with the port included, and paste it into your game. Extra ports a game needs, like Minecraft's voice chat and web map ports, are listed under the address on the Overview. Always on DDoS protection covers every server. Pick a game from the games list and you will have an address to share within about a minute.

FAQ

Why does my game server address have a number after the colon?

That is the port. Your server shares an IP address with other servers, so it uses its own port. Include it when joining.

Do I need a dedicated IP for a Minecraft server?

No. An SRV record on a domain hides the port for Minecraft Java, so players can type a clean name. Bedrock does not read SRV records, so Bedrock players need the port.

Does a dedicated IP lower ping?

No. Ping depends on distance and network routes, not whether the IP is shared.

Can I change my server's port?

On a hosted server, the host assigns the port, and changing it in the start up options usually breaks joining. If you need a specific port, ask your host.