Best Minecraft Server Hosting

Minecraft is one of the most popular games throughout the century, selling for $2.5bn you can tell that this game is loved by millions. Now, setting up a Minecraft server isn’t an uncommon thing to do for any Minecraft player. But setting up a server and choosing which is the best Minecraft host isn’t always easy.

Many Minecraft players will choose IP forwarding hosting, however, this is can straining on your PC, Wifi, and keeping the server up, you can always choose one of these hosting providers for no more than $10/mo if you’re needing to stay within budget.

How to Evaluate Minecraft Server Hosting? 

Like all the other games, Minecraft also uses high-end infrastructure and hardware. There are some technical as well as financial details to know before you jump into the decision of which host to choose for your Minecraft server.

The Vanilla version of Minecraft is the same across the board. Hence, the price is almost more or less the same for different game hosting servers.  The difference comes when we add in mods and other features. This is where the quality of service provided and price must be kept in mind. The market has become saturated with Minecraft host providers. Hence, to stand out from the rest, many hosts offer special hosting plans, which have state of the art features of Minecraft.

Running a personal Minecraft server online means you need the bandwidth and hardware to support the server. This is very difficult if you don’t have your own data center. To overcome this problem, you can rent space on the server being hosted by any company like Apex, Hostinger etc. To ensure you get the BEST Minecraft experience, check the host server provider for the following features:

• Processor
• Storage Space
• Memory
• Support
• Server Location
• Value for money
• DDoS Protection

5 Best Minecraft Server Hosting 2021

We went ahead and checked almost more than a hundred Minecraft Hosts available in the market. We evaluated each and every one of those on the criteria mentioned above. The qualities we shortlisted to be important were: one-click mod installation and updates, easy set up, latency, and many other features and shortlisted 5 of the best Minecraft server hosting providers throughout the hundreds available.

Here is a list of the best Minecraft server hosting providers with Hostinger being the best Minecraft server host throughout the internet with their excellent prices and blazing fast performance:

• Apex Hosting
• Hostinger
• Shockbyte
• GGServers
• BisectHosting

2. Hostinger 

Hostinger has made it to the top of the list for being the BEST Minecraft hosting provider out there on the internet for a number of different reasons. Hostinger is mainly a web hosting company but has custom-built plans such as Minecraft, which is rare to find from a traditional hosting company.

Pros

• 99.9% uptime.
• Long free trial period.
• Root Access
• Instant setup
• Free DDoS protection
• Dual CPU
• 30 days money-back guarantee

Cons

• Comparatively high priced

It offers many types of web hosting options apart from Minecraft hosting. It includes dedicated, shared, and VPS Services. Specifically for Minecraft, there are five different plans you can choose from. Additionally, the servers are built on the lines of VPS hosting, this means you will get dedicated resources and won’t need to share it with others.

• Alex Plan: This is the most basic and simple plan you can opt for. It gives you the bare minimum requirements, i.e. 2 vCPU’s and 2 GB RAM.
• Enderman Plan: This is the top-tier plan for Minecraft that they offer. It will give the user 8 GB RAM. Yes, 8 GB of RAM.

What if you need less or more memory than required? Simple. You just need to go to the client dashboard and downgrade or upgrade according to your demands. All the hosting plans provided have easy installation, easy setup, MYSQL database, access to FTP files; Multicraft control panel, DDoS protection, and off-site backup. Along with this, it uses solid-state drivers along with strong and powerful Intel Xeon processors.

Lastly, it offers excellent customer support along with many tutorials on how to use the hosting service provider, from the control panel to upgrading plans.

3. Shockbyte

Are you looking for a customized Minecraft hosting company? Or do you want a pre-defined one? Better still, still indecisive about it? Shockbyte has you covered in all aspects. It is an Australian company that specializes in providing game renting hosts to the people. As of now, the popular games they are hosting include Minecraft, Rust, and ARK: Survival Evolved. Furthermore, they are planning to expand in the near future.

Pros

• Economical
• 100% uptime
• Instant setup
• DDoS protection
• Multicraft control panel.
• Unlimited SSD storage.

Cons

• Short-trial period

In terms of packages available, it has a staggering number of 12 packages. And the best part is that you can customize and make your own package also. Wow, the options on it just keep on getting better and better. Let’s look at the most basic and advanced plans:

• Dirt Plan: This is the most basic plan it is offering. It can be used for 20 players and provides 1 GB of RAM to the users. 
  
• Titan Plan: On the other hand, the Titan plan is the most advanced plan it has to offer. You can host an unlimited number of players on it with 16GB of memory. What a joy! 
  

The security of the server is very strict. It provides DDoS Support, automatic backups, 24/7 customer support, and snapshot support.

All the plans provided include a free subdomain, instant setup, Multicraft control panel, free FTP file access, and MYSQL database, however, we found in our BeastNode review that the company offers far more features and free benefits to choosing them. 

4. GGServers

Not only does GGSevers offer web hosting but specifically offers game hosting services. Amazingly, they have developed over half a million of game servers, including servers for Minecraft.

Pros

• Supports multiple plugins
• DDoS Protection
• 1 Click installation
• Unmetered SSD
• Instant Setup
  
• Low price point
  

Cons

• Short trial period
  

They are one of the few Minecraft server hosts which have wide coverage of servers in different locations. They are located in 9 locations. The striking feature is that they provide a number of different modifications and support customized mods too. You can choose from 8 different plans, starting from the most basic one (standard) to the most advanced one (premium). You will get 24/7 customer support, a free subdomain, instant access to the server, DDoS protection and much more.

Compared to something like CreeperHost which we reviewed, GGServers has better plans, more server infrastructure which allows for lower latency and better overall performance when setting up your Minecraft server.  

The range of memory provided can be from 1024 MB to 12888MB of RAM, depending on the package you opt for. Furthermore, users can easily degrade or upgrade memory demand from the control panel.

5. Bisect Hosting

Get affordable and stress-free access to Minecraft hosting through Bisect Hosting, with their superb and Minecraft focussed hosting panel.

Pros

• Daily Backup
• Instant Setup
• 24/7 customer support
• Economical

Cons

• Unlimited player slots are only for premium members.
• Slow control panel usage

They offer packages for all the players. You can get a budget package with less RAM and the premium package offers 32 GB RAM. So, there is a little something for everyone. All the packages being offered include JR support, unlimited NVMe SSP space, FTP access, free MYSQL database, free subdomain, and DDoS protection. Can it get better than this?

Bisect Hosting is also highly voted as one of the best Terraria server hosting providers throughout the internet, and without a doubt both Minecraft and Terraria are very similar in their theme and nature, so it’s no suprise that BisectHosting is on this list.

Moreover, if you upgrade to the premium package, you can get daily backup for free, unlimited player slots, a dedicated IP address, and modpack updates and installations. Apart from this, they get access to additional servers. Irrespective of the server you choose, you can avail of discount offers by paying annually, semi-annually and quarterly.  Last but not the least, it supports both the JAVA and the Bedrock version of Minecraft. So you can easily play whichever one you wish.

What is Minecraft?

Minecraft is surely a modern classic. Besides that, it is a critically acclaimed game, which has won many awards. I still remember when I was a kid; LEGO was “IN”. Nowadays, people call Minecraft the “Visual Lego”. But, that is not true. Why? Because Minecraft has become so popular and has expanded so much that it has its own Lego Theme… and that is just one of the themes it has. So much so, it has been termed as the “greatest video game of all times”.

Wow! It has very simple, easy to understand graphics and controls, something like Space Engineers shares the same game mechanics but is fairly different in graphics.. Hence, it has become a hit amongst kids and adults alike. Now, Minecraft can be played on virtually all the digital platforms available. For instance, you can play it on the PC, mobile device, and console, anywhere. Minecraft is available in Vanilla form. Few people play it like that. It allows for modifications and that is what the players are usually looking for.

Requirements to Host Minecraft Servers

In the gaming world, hosting games is now becoming difficult. This is because the online games need more specific resources to run when compared to the other web-based applications. Surprisingly, Minecraft is different from the rest. It is not a resource hog and you don’t require high hardware resources for it. Hence, it can easily be run on web servers that support the basic specifications.

But, a thing to be remembered here is that we are talking about the vanilla version of Minecraft. When you start adding mods and upgrades, it needs more specs. Even then, as compared to the other games, it is pretty simple. For the Vanilla version and 10 players, you can play Minecraft on the VPS Hosting. So you can see what I was talking about initially, right?

Let’s take a peek at the minimum requirements one needs to have to host Minecraft in the plain Vanilla version.

Minimum Requirement: 1GB RAM / 1 CPU CORE

Recommended Requirement: 2GB / 2 CPU CORE

These are the bare minimum you require for roughly 10 players. If you are going pro and want to add more players, like 50 and above, you need to get better numbers. Furthermore, go for other additions like modifications and all. For that, you will require higher specifications.

So, it is recommended to do your homework and see what you will be doing on the server before you go out and rent one. What fun will it be to rent a server, spend money and time and realize that it does not match your requirements and specifications?

If this is the case, you can always get plans for playing Minecraft. Each hosting server offers different customized plans. You need to see which one to pick. Usually it goes like this, the more players you are going to host, the higher the cost of the server for you!

Why Would You Host a Private Server?

Sure, most people opt for multiplayer by renting hosts from game hosting sites. By now, you must be wondering why people go through the headache of making their own private server to host Minecraft games when there are cheaper and better options in the form of renting web servers. Well, I wouldn’t blame you to be questioning them. The truth is that there are many pros of having your own Minecraft server. Let’s look at them below:

• Your Game, Your Rules: Yes, who wouldn’t like to have full authority over the game? When the host server providers make rules, they basically have to make those rules for the entire community, the whole world. So, the rules are generalized and made to benefit EVERYONE. On the other hand, when you are making rules for your Minecraft Server host, you don’t need to think so much or consider so many things. Make the best rules for your group of friends and have fun. Moreover, the authority and command it gives you over the game is another story.
  
• Build a Community: With your server, you can make your world within the real world. How many times have you thought to sit down and play with friends? But, time difference, work timings, conveyance issues, etc. have ruined game night? Don’t worry anymore. The digital world is at your doorstep now and Minecraft lets you build a community of all your friends. Play without any tension now!
  
• Mods: Many times, when we are playing on a hosted server, we are unable to install mods of our choice. This may happen because the version of the game being offered does not have those mods. On the contrary, they may be available, but not to you. Surely, this is a gamers’ nightmare. When you are hosting your server, you don’t have to worry about all this. You can install as many mods as you like. So, let the fun begin!
  
• Teaching Aid: Did it EVER cross your mind that Minecraft could be used in teaching? Hold your horses! I will just explain. If you are in the teaching profession and love gaming, this is the perfect time to blend both. You can teach the kids various aspects of behavior and socializing through Minecraft. Moreover, show them how decision making can affect not only your life, but the life of others around you. Build, explore and have fun.  
  
• Save Money: Yes, this is exactly what will happen. Unlike the general opinion that hosting your own server can be expensive, you have a few ways to go around it. Read carefully! Minecraft itself has jumped to the rescue. They know hosting a number of players over the long run can be heavy on your pocket. Hence, they have come up with the option of monetization. You can set up a web store, allow in-game advertising, etc.

Mode – Solo VS Multiplayer

Who doesn’t like playing their favorite game in peace and harmony sitting alone? Do you? Well, that’s nice. But, people like me love playing with friends. Games like Minecraft are much more enjoyable when you play with friends. Moreover, that is its main attraction; Multiplayer. You can easily engage with the other players and come up with your own missions.

For instance, you can wage war or go on co-op quests. On the other hand, you people can live happily and peacefully on your little virtual land plots. It is entirely up to you! For this you have the following four options

• Minecraft Realms: The Realm world was created by Minecraft itself. What it does is that it allows players to quickly host the game using their servers. For this, you need to have a subscription of Minecraft which costs a certain amount.
  
• LAN (Local Area Network): Minecraft can be played by linking a few computers together in a limited space. For instance, when you play at a gaming joint, all the computers are linked together there. It is known as a LAN.
  
• Split Screen:  When playing on a console, you have the option of splitting the screen. This way, 4 players or less can play side by side on a single screen.
  
• Server Online: For the more dedicated and passionate players, there is an option of setting up an entirely private server online to host Minecraft games. The entire server is set up from A-Z, according to your demands. Usually, the host rents the server from some online gaming host company and sets it up.
  

So, there are many ways you can play Minecraft and in many modes. Now, the choice is yours.

Processor – How Fast Does It Go?

No doubt, all applications on the web need a good processor running time. But, in the gaming world, it is imperative to check the processor speed. Therefore, you should check the GHz or MHz before renting a server. In game hosting, servers are mostly equipped with powerful and multiple processors. Here, you need to check how much processor time your game hosting server is providing you. This depends on the plan you have.

Keep in mind that for shared hosting, the processor time is also SHARED amongst the players. On the other hand, in cloud hosting or VPS, the player has exclusive use of the resources.

Storage Space – How Much Can It Take? 

Minecraft is not one of those storage-heavy games. Even then, if you are planning on running a server, SSD is recommended to push up the speed and performance of the game. Servers are flexible in their offerings for storage. Instead of going with a full SSD storage solution where all the data is stored on SSD, you can go with a something else. Some servers are offering SSD-operated server software with the option of storing data on normal storage. Opting for the second option is better.

Memory – How Quick Does It Act?

You need to have enough RAM when playing. When you request something from the server, it loads it from the memory to save the processing time. If the memory is less, the server swaps all the data again and again to save the most important one first. As a result, the processing time is increased and it results in lower performance.

Therefore, it is necessary to check the amount of RAM the server is offering before you buy it. Just like storage, memory is also shared among a large pool of players. In VPS, you can get a percentage of dedicated memory for yourself, it totally depends on the plan you purchase.

Support

Always check reviews about the support staff when choosing a Minecraft host. At times we don’t think we will need support, but eventually we always do in some form of the other. Mostly, in installations and setting up of modifications, support is needed. So, check if the support staff has extensive knowledge about Minecraft or not. Get in touch with the team and talk to them about what they know and how they can help you out before you buy a plan.

Server Locations

If you know anything about Minecraft hosting, you’ll know that server locations is top tier to increasing performance of your players. If the server is not located in your local area, the game will lag and take time to load because of high latency issues. This is critical if you are hosting for players from around the world. So, always check the presence of the game hosting servers in different regions, especially in areas you want to play in.

Value For Money – Price vs Features

Never go for the cheapest server hosting on the list, this will just lead to problems and multiple conversations with support staff. As many servers offer customized, unique offers which are more expensive than the rest. The cheapest plans usually give you an underrated service. Hence, always exercise caution when you see a very cheap hosting plan. Check what it has to offer, the reviews of other players who have used it and the overall options available in it.

An expensive server can also give you the best value for money. All you need to do is check the price of the hosting plan and evaluate it against the features and specs being offered. If the price does justice to the features, it will give you high value for money.

DDoS Protection – How Secure Is It?

Another thing to keep in mind when deciding which server to use is the security it offers to you. See whether it provides DDoS protection or not. DDoS Protection can ensure that your server doesn’t have any downtime and no need to contact support whenever it does.

Minecraft Server Hosting FAQs

Which Is The Best Minecraft Hosting?

Overall, both Hostinger and Apex Hosting are both the best Minecraft server hosting providers with great uptime and performance while having great customer support, Apex Hosting being better in the customer support category.

How To Find The Best Minecraft Server Hosting

Minecraft server hosting is determined by the cost of the hosting, control panel, customer support, performance, and review of the hosting provider. You should first take a look at the reviews of each host to ensure that you’re getting all of these when your host your Minecraft server.

What Are The Benefits Of Having Your Own Server?

Having your own Minecraft server ensures that you can control every aspect for your players if that’s anarchy to having plenty of rules. You can also host your own Vanilla server creating a world with your friends or family, the opportunities are endless.

Minecraft Server Hosting Summary

You probably must have already selected the Minecraft host you want to go with. Moreover, opting to host your own is not a bad option either. It totally depends on what you want. Do you want to play on a server which hosts thousand of players or want a dedicated one only for your friends? Everything is possible here!