How to Host a Minecraft Server: Hosted, Self Hosted or Free (2026)

There are three ways to host a Minecraft: Java Edition server. Host it with us and it is online about a minute after checkout, running Paper, with its own address and no port forwarding. Host it yourself for free by installing Java 25, running the free server jar with at least 2 GB of RAM and forwarding TCP port 25565. Or skip the server: Open to LAN, the e4mc mod or a Realms trial cost nothing, but each stops or expires at some point. This guide covers all three.

Which way should you host Minecraft?

Open to LAN is fine for one house, and e4mc for an evening session. As soon as someone wants to play while you are offline, you need a real server, at home or hosted.

How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?

RAM decides how many players, plugins and mods a server can handle. Vanilla and Paper stay light, but every mod, loaded chunk and player adds memory:

Our plans, all running Minecraft: Java Edition:

For a light modpack that wants 6 GB, take the 8 GB plan. Not sure? Start with Standard, you can change plans later and your world comes with you. More in how much RAM a Minecraft server needs and choosing a plan.

Option 1: Host a Minecraft server with GamezServers

1. Pick a plan from the table above on Minecraft server hosting. New customers get 50% off the first month on any plan.
2. Split the bill if you like. Choose Split with friends at checkout to share it between 2 and 10 people, each paying their own share by card with a 1 USD fee per share. A 4 GB server split four ways comes to about 3.50 USD each. Your server starts as soon as you pay your share, and every share that comes in keeps it running longer.
3. Pay and open your server. Name it if you like, sign in or create an account on the same page, and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. It appears under Your servers as Setting up for about a minute, then Online. The getting started doc explains each status.
4. Copy the address. It sits at the top of the control panel with the port after a colon, for example 203.0.113.10:25601. Click it to copy.
5. Join from the game. Open Minecraft: Java Edition on the same version as your server, click Multiplayer, then Add Server, paste the whole address including the port and click Done. Double click the server to join and send the same address to your friends. Without the port, Minecraft looks for 25565 and says it cannot connect.
6. Whitelist your friends and make yourself an operator. Use Whitelist player and Make operator in the panel (see below).

Billing is monthly with no contract, and you can cancel any time from the dashboard. See billing and cancellation and the control panel guide.

Who can join: whitelist and operators

Minecraft 26.3 changed the default: a fresh server.properties has white-list=true, so a brand new server lets nobody in until you add them, you included. If you see "You are not white-listed on this server!", this is why.

Click Whitelist player in the panel and type a Minecraft username, or type whitelist add Steve in the Console. To open the server to anyone with the address, click Turn whitelist off. Our whitelist guide covers enforce-whitelist, removing players and common mistakes.

Commands like /gamemode, /tp and /time set only work for operators. Click Make operator and enter your username, or type op YourName in the Console. Only op people you trust, since level 4 ops can stop the server and op others. More in how to op someone on a Minecraft server.

Change server.properties

Open the Files tab and click server.properties to edit it in the browser:

Leave server-port, server-ip and max-players alone. The port is set for you, and max-players is set to your plan's player slots on every start. Save and click Restart so the changes load. Every setting is explained in Minecraft server.properties explained.

Upload your own world

1. Stop the server and click Backup.
2. In Settings, click Show FTP login and connect with FileZilla or WinSCP.
3. Upload your world folder from .minecraft/saves into the server folder.
4. Set level-name in server.properties to the folder name, then start the server.

The full walkthrough is in how to upload a world to a Minecraft server.

Option 2: Make a Minecraft server on your own PC

The server software is free. You need a PC that stays on while people play (Windows, macOS or Linux), at least 2 GB of RAM free for the server on top of what the PC already uses, and access to your router.

Step 1: Install Java

Minecraft 26.1 and newer need Java 25. Versions 1.20.5 to 1.21.x need Java 21. Download it from a provider such as Eclipse Temurin, install it, then check it in a terminal (Command Prompt on Windows):

java -version

If you get "command not found", restart the terminal or reinstall Java with the option to add it to your PATH. Starting a 26.x server on older Java fails with an UnsupportedClassVersionError.

Step 2: Download the server

Make a folder called minecraft-server. Download the official server jar from minecraft.net/download/server and save it there as server.jar. Paper is a drop in replacement that runs faster and supports plugins, and is the best choice for most groups. The steps are the same with the Paper jar.

Step 3: Run it once and accept the EULA

Open a terminal in the folder and start the server:

java -Xms2G -Xmx2G -jar server.jar nogui

It stops straight away and creates eula.txt. Change eula=false to eula=true and save, which confirms you accept the Minecraft EULA. Run the command again. When you see Done in the console, the world is ready.

Step 4: Give it the right amount of RAM

-Xms and -Xmx set the server's memory. Keep them equal and use the RAM table above. For 4 GB the command becomes:

java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar server.jar nogui

Big modpacks like All the Mods want 8 to 10 GB at home. Never give the server all of your PC's memory, the operating system needs some too.

Step 5: Tweak server.properties

Open server.properties in a text editor. Most people change motd, difficulty, max-players and white-list (true so only people you add can join). Leave server-port at 25565 unless you have a reason to change it. Restart the server after saving.

Step 6: Open the port

Players on your home network join with your PC's local address, for example 192.168.1.20. Friends elsewhere need port 25565 forwarded on your router to your PC's local IP, and your public IP, which a "what is my IP" search shows. Allow Java through your firewall when Windows asks, and turn off sleep mode in your power settings if friends play without you. Our port forwarding guide covers the router side.

If your provider uses CGNAT, which is common on mobile, satellite and many fibre connections, forwarded ports never reach you. See how to tell if you are behind CGNAT, or use a tunnel: a small program on your PC connects out to a service and friends connect through it, which also hides your home IP. Options in how to host a game server without port forwarding.

Step 7: Let friends connect

Friends open Minecraft, click Multiplayer, Add Server and paste your public IP. Everyone needs the same Minecraft version as the server.

Option 3: Play Minecraft with friends for free without a server

• Open to LAN: everyone on the same network sees your singleplayer world in their Multiplayer list. Since 26.3 it lives in the World Options screen in the pause menu, under Multiplayer, where you set the LAN scope, the port, command access and forced game mode for guests. Java has no built in way for friends to join over the internet: Mojang tested peer to peer play in 26.2 snapshots and removed it before release, and the Java Friends List shows who is online but does not let them join your world.
• e4mc: a free mod for Fabric, Forge and NeoForge that gives your Open to LAN world a public address with no port forwarding. Install the loader and e4mc, open your world to LAN and send friends the address it prints in chat. Your game does the server work on top of rendering, and traffic goes through a relay, which can add ping.
• Free hosting sites: paid for by ads or upselling. Expect some mix of a start queue, the server stopping when empty, low RAM, limited plugins and mods, and limited backups. Compare in free vs paid game server hosting.
• Realms trial: Mojang's own hosting has a 30 day free trial for new subscribers on Java, Bedrock and Realms Plus. It is always online, but it renews automatically at 3.99 to 7.99 USD a month unless you cancel, caps you at 11 players, and Java Realms do not run mods or plugins. See Minecraft Realms vs a dedicated server.

Bedrock players can host a world from their own device for Xbox friends, or run the free Bedrock Dedicated Server on Windows or Linux with UDP port 19132 forwarded. Console players need their platform's online subscription for multiplayer either way. See how to host a Minecraft Bedrock server.

What are the catches with hosting for free?

• The PC has to stay on. The server is only reachable while your PC is on and awake, and a PC running all day adds to your electricity bill.
• Your home IP is exposed to everyone who joins. See is hosting a game server at home safe.
• The address changes. Most home connections get a new public IP now and then, and you have to send friends the new one.
• Upload speed limits how many players you can hold.
• Updates are manual. Every Minecraft update means a new jar, maybe a new Java and a backup first.
• Free hosts queue, sleep and cap memory, and backups are often limited. Download your world regularly whatever host you use.

How do you add plugins and mods to a Minecraft server?

On our servers, pick a server type in the panel and the right server is installed for you. Then open the Mods tab: plugins, mods and whole modpacks from Modrinth and CurseForge install in one click, with the version that fits your server and everything they need. If a modpack needs Fabric, Forge or NeoForge, the server switches for you.

Players do not install plugins, but every player needs the same mods as a modded server. Add the Geyser and Floodgate plugins and Bedrock players on console and phone can join your Java world. At home, plugins go in the plugins folder and mods in the mods folder, followed by a restart. Back up before switching server type or Minecraft version. More in how to install mods on a Minecraft server, the best Minecraft server plugins and the best modpacks.

Backups, updates and upgrades

• Backups: on our servers, click Backup before a version update, a new modpack or a risky build. Each server keeps 3. At home, copy the world folders. See how to back up a Minecraft server.
• Updates: on our servers, change the Minecraft version in Settings, then click Update game. Worlds, plugins, mods and configs stay. At home, download the new jar and check your Java version. Details in how to update a Minecraft server to a new version.
• Sleep when empty: our servers stop after 4 days with nobody online and your world is saved. Anyone with access starts it again with one click. Turn it off in Settings to keep it online around the clock.
• Upgrading: lag with more players or a bigger modpack? Pick a bigger plan in Settings. The price is prorated and the new RAM applies after a restart.

Common problems

• "Connection refused" or "timed out": the port is not forwarded, the firewall is blocking Java, the server is not running, or the port is missing from the address. See the getsockopt error guide.
• "You are not white-listed on this server!": add the player with Whitelist player or whitelist add.
• UnsupportedClassVersionError on start: your Java is too old. Install Java 25 for 26.x servers.
• "Outdated client" or "Outdated server": the player's version does not match the server's. In the Minecraft Launcher, open Installations, click New installation and pick the server's version. See how to fix outdated server and client errors.
• Commands say you do not have permission: you are not an operator. Use Make operator in the panel.
• Lag with only a few players: the server needs more RAM, or the PC is busy with other things. Paper helps a lot. See the Minecraft server lag fix guide.

FAQ

Can I host a Minecraft server for free?

Yes. Mojang's server software, Paper and Fabric are free and run on your own PC. You need to keep the PC on and forward TCP port 25565 so friends can join over the internet.

How much does it cost to host a Minecraft server?

With us, from 4.99 USD a month for 2 GB, and 9.99 USD for the popular 4 GB plan. New customers get 50% off the first month, and the bill can be split between up to 10 people. Compare in how much a Minecraft server costs.

Is there a free Minecraft server that stays online 24/7?

Not really. Free hosts stop servers when they are empty or limit uptime, and home hosting needs your PC on all the time. Always online servers cost money, starting around 4 to 5 USD a month.

Can friends join my singleplayer world for free on Java?

On the same network, yes, with Open to LAN. Over the internet, Java has no built in way, so you need a mod like e4mc, a tunnel or a server.

Do I need to port forward?

Only when you run the server at home and friends join from outside. Tunnels and e4mc avoid it, and our servers have their ports open already.

How many players can join?

RAM and CPU decide it. On our servers max-players is set to your plan's player slots, from 10 on 2 GB to 120 on 12 GB, and a 4 GB Paper server comfortably handles a group of friends. Modded servers need more memory per player.

Can Bedrock players join?

Yes, if you add Geyser and Floodgate. Without them only Minecraft: Java Edition on PC and Mac can join.

Do my friends need to own Minecraft?

Yes. Everyone needs their own copy of Minecraft: Java Edition, or Bedrock with Geyser. Online mode keeps cracked accounts out.

Can I change the Minecraft version later?

Yes. Change it in Settings, then click Update game. Click Backup first, especially when going back to an older version, since old versions cannot load newer worlds.

Why can nobody join my new server?

On Minecraft 26.3 and newer the whitelist is on by default. Add everyone with Whitelist player, or click Turn whitelist off.

See Minecraft server hosting to pick a plan and get your world online.