7 Best Aternos Alternatives & Competitors in 2025

If you’ve used Aternos to run a free Minecraft server, you already know the perks: zero cost, easy setup, and mod support.

But you also know the pain:

• Long queues
• Server sleep
• Lag spikes
• Ads

In 2025, free Minecraft hosting has grown up. There are other hosts that offer similar “no‑cost” entry points with different tradeoffs.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking: “There must be something better,” you’re right.

We tested dozens of free and paid Minecraft hosts and curated the 7 best Aternos alternatives for 2025 with a few paid options for players ready to level up.

🚫 Aternos Limitations

Let’s give Aternos some credit: it’s free, has a semi-decent UI, and supports mods. But the cracks start showing when you use it heavily:

• Long queues: Your friends are ready, but you’re stuck waiting for your turn in the server queue.
• Auto-sleep: Servers shut down when idle, so you need to keep waking them up.
• Limited resources: Free servers run on shared hardware, and lag is inevitable when you pile on mods.
• Ads & clutter: The dashboard is filled with ads which is distracting for management.
• Scaling challenges: If your server grows beyond few players, you’ll hit a wall fast.

Bottom line? Aternos is fine for casual play but if you want smoother uptime, better performance, or fewer headaches, it’s time to look at these alternatives.

Aternos Alternatives & Competitors at Glance

WiseHosting: The Best Upgrade from Free Hosting

If you’re tired of Aternos queues and free-hosting, WiseHosting is the upgrade to consider. Unlike “forever free” hosts, WiseHosting is a paid service built for stability, performance, and modded servers.

You might be wondering now: “Do I really need to pay for a Minecraft server?”

The short answer: if you play more than casually, yes.

Here’s what paid means:

• 🚫 No more waiting in queues (your server is always online).
• 🌙 24/7 uptime (so your world doesn't shut down just because no one's logged in)
• ⚡ Dedicated resources (lag isn't shared across 100 random players)
• 🎧 Instant support when things break

And this is exactly where WiseHosting shines. Built by the popular Minecraft YouTuber Shulkercraft, WiseHosting combines creator-backed trust with professional-grade hosting.

In 2025, it has quickly risen to become one of the highest-rated paid hosts, making it the most natural next step for players outgrowing Aternos.

Start Your Minecraft Server in 60 seconds or less

One of the biggest frustrations with free hosts is waiting. Aternos queues can take 10–15 minutes, and renewal systems mean servers are often offline when friends are ready to play.

WiseHosting removes that friction with instant server deployment. You can go from no server to a new server that's live in under 60 seconds, with no queues, sleep timers, or renewals required.

Install Mods, Plugins and Datapacks with One Click

Modded Minecraft is notoriously difficult to set up on free hosts. WiseHosting solves this with 1-click installer for thousands of modpacks, mods, plugins and datapacks. Whether it’s Pixelmon, SkyFactory, or RLCraft, servers can be launched in minutes with all mods pre-installed and version-matched.

Since WiseHosting also has more CPU power than free hosts, that means your mods install faster. This makes modded play accessible for everyone and eliminates the setup headaches that usually deter players.

Global Server Locations

Latency is another pain point on free hosts, which often restrict players to a single server location. WiseHosting offers multiple global data centers, allowing groups to choose the closest region for the lowest latency.

For international friend groups or large communities, this ensures smooth gameplay and prevents the lag spikes that are common on shared, free infrastructure.

Live Player Manager: Familiar, but Stronger

WiseHosting also includes a Live Player Manager, just like Aternos. If you’ve used that feature before, you’ll feel right at home, but here it’s faster and more responsive. Server admins can see who’s online, manage players in real time, and apply actions like kicks, bans, or teleports instantly. It’s a small detail, but for growing communities it makes day-to-day management much easier.

Version Changer

Players can swap between Vanilla, Spigot, Paper, Fabric, or Forge in seconds. Instead of rebuilding the server from scratch, WiseHosting makes it a single click—perfect for testing features or switching play styles with almost no downtime.

✅ WiseHosting Best Features

• Instant Server Deployment – No queues or sleep timers; servers are live in under 2 minutes.
• 1-Click Modpack Installs – Launch thousands of modpacks (Forge, Fabric, CurseForge) with a single click.
• Version Changer – Easily switch between Vanilla, Spigot, Paper, Forge, and Fabric builds.
• Live Player Manager – Manage players in real time (just like Aternos, but faster and smoother).
• Instances – Run and store multiple servers under one account, switch between them as needed.
• Global Server Locations – Multiple worldwide data centers for low ping gameplay.
• Modern Control Panel – Clean, ad-free UI with both beginner-friendly and advanced controls.

🚫 WiseHosting Limitations

• Paid only — unlike Aternos or FalixNodes, there’s no forever-free plan.
• Slightly pricier than budget hosts — but you’re paying for performance and support.

💰 WiseHosting Pricing

• Smaller plans: $3.25/GB per month (3GB-8GB).
• Bigger plans: $3.00/GB per month (From 10GB+).

⭐ WiseHosting Ratings and Reviews

• TrustPilot: 4.8/5.0 (700+ reviews)

What are users saying about WiseHosting?

Across multiple different people and tickets and a multitude of different questions, not once have these people failed. I really couldn't recommend WiseHosting enough, honestly straight fire Minecraft hosting service and support team
— Sainted P.

Bottom Line: If you’ve outgrown Aternos or want to elevate your Minecraft server experience without overpaying, WiseHosting offers the most polished, reliable, and feature-rich path forward. It's the pro-grade upgrade that feels welcoming to everyone.

FalixNodes: Best Free Minecraft Servers

FalixNodes is one of the biggest names in free Minecraft hosting and it’s easy to see why. The platform offers an easy-to-use control panel, a surprisingly generous 4GB RAM free tier, and support for plugins, mods, modpacks, and datapacks.

When I tested FalixNodes, the UI really stood out: clean, simple, and not buried under a wall of ads. Sure, you’ll have to watch a short ad to start your server, but beyond that, the experience feels smooth and user-friendly, even for beginners.

FalixNodes comes with one server location on the free plan (Falkenstein, Germany), but upgrading to premium unlocks four global locations plus perks like no ads, no activity checks, and better performance.

✅ FalixNodes Best Features

• 4GB RAM on free servers – Plenty for casual worlds, small SMPs, or light modding.
• Plugins, mods & modpacks supported – Install Forge, Fabric, Paper, or Purpur with one click.
• Clean control panel – Easy to navigate with sections for worlds, versions, plugins, and more.
• 24/7 uptime (as long as the machine isn’t overloaded) – Your server doesn’t just “go offline” if no one is playing.

🚫 FalixNodes Limitations

• Ads on the free plan – You’ll need to watch an ad to start the server.
• Only one free location – Germany-only for free users; premium gets you four.
• Performance can dip – Lag possible on bigger modpacks or high player counts unless you upgrade.
• Basic backups – Free plan has limited backup security; premium is safer for long-term worlds.

💰 FalixNodes Pricing

• Free Server Plan – 4GB RAM, 1 location, ads, shared resources.
• Plan-Based (Premium) – $2.50/GB: Dedicated resources, max performance, premium support, no ads.

⭐ FalixNodes Ratings and Reviews

• TrustPilot: 4.6/5.0 (2900+ reviews)

What are users saying about FalixNodes?

FalixNodes is a good host. It's better than Aternos because it runs faster.
— SpigotMC user

Minefort: Best for Free & Quick Server Setups

Minefort is another strong free Minecraft host that makes it ridiculously easy to spin up a server. You don’t even need a credit card, just sign up, pick a template, and you’re online.

What stood out immediately? Templates. Minefort isn’t just “start from scratch”, you can launch Skyblock, Hardcore SMP, Creative Plots, or even a Parkour Spiral server with a single click.

The UI feels slick and modern, and it’s packed with plugins and mod support for those who want more than a basic Vanilla setup. Free servers do have limits, but upgrading unlocks 24/7 uptime, ad-free dashboards, and more RAM for bigger worlds.

✅ Minefort Best Features

• Free to start (no card needed) – Launch a server in minutes.
• Game templates built-in – Skyblock, SkyGrid, Hardcore SMP, and more ready to go.
• No playtime limits, you can play as long as you want.
• 24/7 uptime (as long as the machine isn’t overloaded) – Your server doesn’t just “go offline” if no one is playing.
• Clean panel – Very beginner-friendly game panel with simplified features.

🚫 Minefort Limitations

• Ads on free servers – Similar to FalixNodes, free users see ads.
• 1GB RAM on free tier – You'll need an upgrade in most cases since the game can get very laggy.
• Backups capped – Free plan only gives 1 backup slot (premium expands this).

💰 Minefort Pricing

• Free Plan – Play instantly, ad-supported, limited resources.
• Cottage (€5.99/mo) – 2GB RAM, 35 players.
• House (€11.49/mo) – 4GB RAM, 50 players. (€2.87/GB, best value)
• Mansion (€23.99/mo) – 8GB RAM, 100 players.
• Fort (€47.99/mo) – 12GB RAM, 200 players, premium features.

⭐ Minefort Ratings and Reviews

• TrustPilot: 3.6/5.0 (700+ reviews)

What are users saying about Minefort?

Minefort is a great platform and better from aternos as aternos gives u a queue everytime, so I absolutely loved the server.

— Trustpilot Reviewer

Server.pro – The best option to go from free to paid

Server.pro is one of the most polished Minecraft server hosting platforms available, balancing a clean interface with a surprising level of technical power. Unlike some hosts that focus solely on Minecraft, Server.pro supports 79+ games and software types, from Minecraft to Valheim, even Discord bots, making it a versatile tool for more than just block building.

What stands out immediately is how professional and minimal the dashboard feels. The layout is simple yet packed with control, offering metrics tracking, backups, SFTP, and even a VS Code integration for advanced users. You can start a Minecraft server instantly, or run multiple services side-by-side, thanks to its multi-service capability.

✅ Server.pro Best Features

• Free plan for instant testing (no credit card needed) – a 2GB server that runs up to 12 hours at a time. You can run your free server as long as you want.
• Global infrastructure – PAID ONLY: 9 locations (US, EU, Asia-Pacific) for low-latency connections and transfers between locations but they are one of the few that offer 2 locations (Canada and Europe) for free servers.
• Support for mods & plugins – PAID ONLY: built-in installers for CurseForge, Modrinth, Feed The Beast, and popular plugins like LuckPerms or EssentialsX.
• Flexible upgrades – start free, then jump to paid plans for more RAM, storage, and uptime.

🚫 Server.pro Limitations

• Free servers are temporary – they only stay online for 1 hour at a time, up to 12 hours per day, and get deleted if you don’t upgrade or renew..
• The free server often includes ads, minimal features, and is capped at 1 GB RAM and no plugins.
• Some features locked for free tier (plugins, mods, multi-admin) – expected but still worth noting.

💰 Server.pro Pricing

• Hosting (4GB): $7/month → ~$1.75/GB
• Gaming (6GB): $20/month → ~$3.33/GB
• Gaming Pro (6GB): $30/month → ~$5/GB
• Large setups: 18GB Gaming Pro costs $90/month ($5/GB), while the standard Gaming version is $60/month ($3.33/GB).

⭐ Server.pro Ratings and Reviews

• TrustPilot: 4.4/5.0 (1100+ reviews)

What are users saying about Server.pro?

Server.pro is a good host. It's better than Aternos because it runs faster.

— SpigotMC user

Freemcserver – Long-Term Free Hosting with Rewards

If you’re looking for a free Minecraft server that doesn’t vanish after a few hours, freemcserver.net might be your best bet. Unlike Aternos, which limits uptime and queues players, FreeMcServer keeps your world alive as long as you actively renew it. The platform runs on a reward system: the more you use it, the more credits you earn, which you can redeem for extra perks like longer uptime or better performance.

That said, free servers are capped at around 1.7GB RAM, which is fine for a small vanilla world but not enough for modpacks or larger communities. Ads are everywhere (on the panel and when renewing), and you’ll need to keep interacting with the platform to stop your server from expiring.

✅ Freemcserver Best Features

• Reward system – Earn credits daily by logging in, watching ads, or connecting Discord, then upgrade your server without paying.
• Detailed stats – Monitor TPS, players, entities, and chunks directly in the panel.
• Public server page – Share your server with friends, let players start/renew, and even reward them with in-game items.
• Mobile app – Manage your server, renew uptime, and claim rewards on Android or iOS.

🚫 Freemcserver Limitations

• Only 1.7GB RAM – Too low for big modpacks or more than a handful of players.
• Constant renewals required – Servers expire unless renewed every few hours (ads for “extended renewal”).
• Ad-heavy experience – The dashboard and renewal system rely on advertising.
• Performance dips under load – Shared hardware means lag if you push the limits.

💰 Freemcserver Pricing

• Completely free – All features available without paying.
• Rewards-based upgrades – Earn extra RAM/time via daily logins, streaks, ads, referrals, or Discord boosts.
• Optional donations – Pay if you want to skip the grind and support the host.

⭐ Freemcserver Ratings and Reviews

• TrustPilot: 3.7/5.0 (500+ reviews)

What are users saying about Server.pro?

Probably one of the best free hosting for minecraft server, used to be server pro but now this one is better. Although sometimes waiting for the server queue is too long.

— Eclipses

ScalaCube: Best budget-friendly paid option (for one month)

If you're coming from Aternos and looking for a free Minecraft hosting alternative, ScalaCube probably caught your eye with its “Free Forever 6GB plan” promise. ScalaCube offers a free Minecraft server, but it’s extremely limited and slow. You only get 2 player slots, basic version support, and most useful features are locked behind premium. If you’re just testing with a friend or playing solo, it might work. If you want to play with more than one friend, use mods, or host a real SMP, expect to pay.

✅ ScalaCube Best Features

• 6GB plan for FREE.
• You can choose any server location even for free (11 locations).
• It has everything you need to play if you decide to upgrade your plan.

🚫 ScalaCube Limitations

• Free plan only gives you 2 slots and is heavily limited.
• It is very expensive after one month ($7/GB)
• Free plan lets you only play Vanilla Minecraft.
• Game panel is functional but a bit outdated and server it's slow to setup a server.

💰 ScalaCube Pricing

• HUGE 50% off for your first month is available on all paid plans.
• $10 (one-time) for automated backups.
• $7/GB after one month (one of the most expensive paid providers).

⭐ ScalaCube Ratings and Reviews

• TrustPilot: 4.4/5.0 (4,400+ reviews)

What are users saying about ScalaCube?

"The service works great, although it's very expensive considering how little RAM you get for the price plans."

— Agaton

Nodecraft – Premium Hosting with strong free trial

Nodecraft is a well-known premium host that offers powerful servers for Minecraft and dozens of other games. It’s designed for players who want more control and flexibility than what free hosts like Aternos can offer, but there’s something you should know up front: Nodecraft isn’t the simplest option for beginners.

Their control panel is sleek, modern-looking, and packed with features… but if you’re coming from Aternos (or even FalixNodes), it might feel a bit overwhelming at first. There are more menus, more settings, and more options to tweak, which is great if you like customization, but not so great if you just want to click “Start Server” and play.

✅ Nodecraft Best Features

• Free trial is solid if you are really considering an upgrade, it's worth trying. They offer up to 6GB plan without limitations.
• Strong Hardware & 24 Locations – Worldwide coverage (US, EU, Asia-Pacific) means you can get low ping almost anywhere.
• Save & Swap – Lets you store multiple game setups (Minecraft, Terraria, Valheim, etc.) and switch between them.
• Supports Mods, Plugins & Modpacks – Works with Spigot, Paper, Forge, Fabric, and more, though setup takes more clicks than on other hosts.
• No Ads, No Queues – Your server starts instantly, unlike Aternos.

🚫 Nodecraft Limitations

• Control Panel Can Be Confusing – Lots of menus and options; not as beginner-friendly as Aternos or Minefort.
• Only a short trial (24 hours without a card, 7 days if you add one). After that, it’s paid.
• Lite Plan Puts Servers to Sleep – Cheaper plan saves money but isn’t true 24/7 hosting.

💰 Nodecraft Pricing

• Lite – “Wake & Play” Servers (cheaper). $2.99/GB.
• Pro – True 24/7 Servers (more expensive). $4.99/GB.

What are users saying about NodeCraft?

"The Customer Support is absolutely outstanding. I always get helped ASAP and the problem always gets solved within 15min."

— Adrian J.

Which Aternos Alternative Should You Choose?

Aternos deserves credit for what it is: a free, accessible way to host a Minecraft server. But once you’ve experienced the long queues, auto-sleep, and lag spikes, it becomes clear why so many players look for alternatives.

The good news is that in 2025, you don’t have to settle. The landscape of Minecraft hosting has matured, whether you want to stay free or invest in premium stability.

• Best Paid Upgrade: WiseHosting (by Shulkercraft) – The most polished option if you want instant servers, one-click modpacks, and reliable uptime.
• Best Free Host Overall: FalixNodes – A strong free plan with 4GB RAM and clean UI, ideal if you want to avoid Aternos queues.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re just dipping your toes into Minecraft server hosting, a free provider like FalixNodes or Minefort is a great starting point. But if your community is growing, or if you’re serious about modpacks and 24/7 uptime, upgrading to a paid host like WiseHosting is the smartest move. Backed by Shulkercraft and rated among the highest by real players, it’s the natural next step for anyone ready to level up from Aternos.

At the end of the day, the “best” alternative depends on your needs, but one thing’s certain: in 2025, there are far better options than Aternos.