Is Apex Hosting good?

Running a Minecraft server used to mean long nights of file uploads, broken configs, and confusing panels.

Apex Hosting changed that in 2013 when they started offering instant setup, step-by-step guides, and servers around the world. For years, it’s been the go-to choice for new players starting up their first world.

With years in the game, it’s one of the first names new players see when searching for “Minecraft server hosting.”

But as Minecraft has evolved, so have the expectations of its players. If you expect modern automation, one-click installs for everything, and a cleaner control experience, Apex can feel stuck in time.

This review takes a closer look at what Apex Hosting still does well, where it falls short, and why, in the recent years, many players are looking into its alternatives.

⏰ 60-Second Summary

Here’s a rundown of Apex Hosting and its alternative:

• Apex Hosting is a veteran Minecraft host: quick setup, extensive tutorials, and many worldwide locations for low ping.
• Uses Multicraft, a familiar but outdated panel; billing and control panel require separate logins.
• Supports one-click modpacks but no one-click installs for individual mods or plugins (manual uploads needed).
• Hardware is a mix: Ryzen + older Intel Xeon, which can lead to lag on heavier or modded servers.
• Pricing starts around $3.75/GB (e.g., 4GB ≈ $14.99/mo), trending higher than newer competitors.
• Overall feels stuck in time. Dated UI/UX, split accounts, manual mod/plugin installs, mixed hardware, reports of slower performance and slower billing support replies.
• WiseHosting is the Minecraft-only alternative: unified account, deeply experienced support team, custom Pterodactyl panel, one-click for everything, built-in tools (MOTD editor, calculators, skin grabber), 100% AMD Ryzen CPUs , and competitive pricing (~$3.25/GB).
• WiseHosting is created by Minecraft YouTuber Shulkercraft (2.4m subscribers), showing its dedication and experience in Minecraft-only hosting.
• Bottom line: WiseHosting is the new go-to Minecraft server hosting built for modern players: faster, simpler, and built specifically for Minecraft servers.

Overview of Apex Hosting as a Minecraft Server Hosting Platform

Apex Hosting is one of the most recognized names in Minecraft server hosting, known for its long-standing reputation and beginner-friendly setup. Established over a decade ago, it has become the go-to choice for many first-time hosts thanks to being one of the highest ranked hosts in Google.

The platform is designed around accessibility, you can start up a server in minutes, follow step-by-step tutorials, and get started without much technical knowledge. However, while Apex Hosting excels at making server creation simple, it has struggled to evolve over the years and might not be the best option for people who expect modern features, automation, and a streamlined control experience.

Easily Set Up and Start a Server

Apex Hosting provides a smooth setup process, supported by countless tutorials and an in-depth knowledge base. It’s one of the easiest hosts to start with, making it perfect for beginners who want their first Minecraft world live fast.

Manage Your Entire Server from the Game Panel

Apex Hosting uses the Multicraft control panel, the same legacy dashboard used by several older hosts. While it’s familiar, many players find it outdated and unintuitive by today’s standards. The design feels a decade old, with limited modern usability improvements.

You can still handle all essentials manage players, install modpacks, and monitor performance, but compared to newer custom panels it can feel cluttered, and dated.

Swap Between Multiple Games

While Apex Hosting primarily focuses on Minecraft, it also supports a few other game types, giving players limited flexibility to host multiple games under one account.

Hardware and Performance

Apex Hosting advertises modern AMD Ryzen CPUs, but much of its infrastructure still relies on Intel Xeon processors, which can struggle under heavy modded workloads.

That said, Apex still offers many global server locations, ensuring you can host close to your region for lower ping worldwide.

Apex Hosting Pricing

Performance aside, pricing plays a big role in deciding whether Apex still delivers value for money.

Apex Hosting uses a tier-based RAM pricing model, starting around $3.75/GB.

• 2GB - $7.99/month
• 3GB - $11.99/month
• 4GB - $14.99/month
• 5GB - $18.75/month
• 6GB - $22.49/month
• 7GB - $27.99/month
• 8GB - $35.00/month

⭐ Pros of Apex Hosting

Apex Hosting has been operating since 2013, making it one of the longest-standing Minecraft hosting providers in the world.

Here’s what users still appreciate about it:

• Fast setup process with countless tutorials and beginner guides.
• Global server locations for lower latency anywhere in the world.
• Customer support available 24/7.
• DDoS protection and instant setup included on all plans.
• One-click modpack installer for popular modpacks

❌ Cons of Apex Hosting

While Apex Hosting is reliable for many, it’s also showing its age. Many of its systems feel dated and out of step with modern Minecraft hosting expectations.

Here are some of the biggest drawbacks worth noting:

• Manual mod/plugin installation: Apex only supports one-click modpack installs, mods and plugins must be added manually.
• Outdated Multicraft panel: The interface looks and feels 10 years old, making daily management frustrating.
• Separate accounts for billing and control panel: Logging into two different dashboards to open tickets or manage billing slows everything down.
• Heavily reliant on old hardware: Great for general servers, but underperforms for Minecraft.
• Performance issues in the recent years: Players have reported lag spikes and TPS drops, especially during heavy load.

I was originally with mcprohosting, but then Apex purchased the company. Ever since I've had a poor experience. They charge a fortune but then their servers constantly lag + crash even when you have more than enough RAM (no problem with different host).
Trustpilot review

Slow responses to tickets: While tech support can be quick, billing support can be slow.

As one user noted:

Incredibly slow support: Technical support replies took up to 4 hours, and billing support replies took up to 4 days. When I asked about priority, I was told ticket status doesn’t matter, so urgent issues are treated the same as trivial ones.
Trustpilot review

Alternative to Apex Hosting

While Apex Hosting remains a popular choice due to its longevity, many Minecraft players now look for a more modern, Minecraft-only experience like WiseHosting.

As the everything platform for Minecraft servers only, WiseHosting combines server management, automation, modding, backups, player tools, and version control in one easy to use dashboard.

Built by Shulkercraft (2.4M subscribers), WiseHosting reimagines hosting with a clean, modern control panel that was designed to work for Minecraft.

Let’s compare Apex Hosting and WiseHosting at a glance:

I'll be sticking with WiseHosting. Previously was using apex hosting, and they were good but we didn't like the ui much and this was a little cheaper. The ui is much better here, customer service answers quickly.
Trustpilot review

Deep Minecraft Expertise

Unlike Apex Hosting, which runs on legacy systems, WiseHosting is Minecraft-exclusive. Every optimization, every update, and every support response is crafted for Minecraft, not generic game hosting.

After trying other hosting services with mixed but generally negative results, WiseHosting stands out as the most reliable, efficient, and supportive by far. The control panel is responsive and easy to use, and we’ve never once felt like I was fighting the system just to get my server running the way we want it.
Trustpilot review

One Unified Account

No more switching between billing and the panel. WiseHosting’s unified login ties together support, billing, and control all in one place. Open a ticket, manage backups, and change worlds without leaving the dashboard.

One-Click Addons for Everything

Where Apex falls short with manual installs, WiseHosting’s Addons Hub shines. Instantly install mods, modpacks, datapacks or plugins with just one click.

The support team, available tools, tips, overall clarity; all of it is so good. There is very clearly a lot of care placed into WiseHosting as it is. The response time to a server issue I had is incredible. Mods are very easy to add along with mod presets saving loads of time.
Trustpilot review

WiseHosting has a strong Presets library which has done-for-you configurations for mods and plugins like:

• 🧩 Crossplay (GeyserMC) for Java + Bedrock connections.
• 🌍 Dynmap and Bluemap for live map visualization.
• 🔊 Voice Chat for proximity-based in-game conversations.
• 💬 VotifierPlus for rewarding players on vote sites.
• ⚙️ Enable World Dupers, World Downloads, and more for Paper servers.

100% High-Performance Hardware

WiseHosting runs exclusively on next-generation AMD Ryzen CPUs with DDR5 RAM and NVMe SSD storage.

Because WiseHosting doesn’t stretch its infrastructure across dozens of other games, every server is tuned specifically for Minecraft performance.

First of all, the server runs great. I basically had no lag the entire 9 hours of playtime so far. It boots up EXTREMELY fast, I'm talking 20 seconds fast. There are no forced payments (or in your face), you get everything you paid for with no catch, the console has a great UI with a bunch of features which is very simple to use. 10/10 would recommend, my favorite server hosting provider so far.
Trustpilot review

Manage Players with Live Player Manager

The Console tab in WiseHosting isn’t just a log viewer, it’s an interactive control hub equipped with a Live Player Manager.

From here, you can:

• Ban, kick, whitelist, or OP players directly, no commands required.
• Track live player data and perform moderation in real time.
• Check Enderchest, inventory and so much more!

Easy-to-Use Customized Pterodactyl Panel

Clean, modern, and powerful, WiseHosting’s custom-built Pterodactyl panel redefines what a Minecraft control panel should feel like.

Compared to the Multicraft panel used by Apex Hosting, WiseHosting’s dashboard is more modern, fast, and purpose-built for Minecraft, not a relic from 2013.

Quality-of-Life Utilities Built In

WiseHosting goes beyond standard “hosting.” Its Tools tab is loaded with server-side utilities that normally require third-party websites or plugins:

• 🎨 MOTD Editor — Create custom messages with a color picker, live preview, and formatting options (bold, italic, underline).
• 📍 Coordinate Calculator — Instantly convert between dimensions and world coordinates.
• 🧮 Enchantment & Resource Calculators — Plan gear upgrades, balance materials, and optimize gameplay.
• 🧑‍🎨 Skin Grabber — Instantly preview or fetch player skins by username.

...and much more.

Version Switching & Mod Loader Control

Switching between Minecraft versions, or between Paper, Spigot, Fabric, and Forge, is effortless inside WiseHosting’s Version tab.

WiseHosting pricing

WiseHosting averages $3.25/GB which makes it a better value than Apex Hosting.

WiseHosting: Future of Minecraft Hosting

The quality of your Minecraft experience depends on your host. Apex Hosting built the foundation, but WiseHosting redefines the experience.

By focusing solely on Minecraft, it delivers unmatched performance, automation, and ease of use, all in one unified platform.

If you’re ready to ditch outdated panels, lag, and split logins, WiseHosting is the natural evolution of what Minecraft hosting should be.