The Ultimate Guide To Start A Minecraft Server in 2025

Minecraft has outlived nearly every gaming trend. In 2025, it’s still one of the most-played games in the world, with over 170 million monthly players across Java and Bedrock versions. But if you’ve ever wanted to go beyond joining a friend’s server or hopping onto Hypixel, you’ve probably asked:

👉 “How do I host my own Minecraft server?”

This guide is your starting point... and much more. Whether you’re beginner setting up your first server or an aspiring admin trying to start building a large network with hundreds of players, the way you host your server determines everything.

Let's dig in.

What is Minecraft Server Hosting?

At its core, a Minecraft server hosting means running a dedicated environment where players connect, build, and play. Server hosting gives you:

• Control: Custom plugins, mods, datapacks, game rules.
• Scalability: From 5 friends to 1,000 players.
• Freedom: Choose your world type, version, and experience.

Why Host a Minecraft Server in 2025?

Minecraft is fun on its own, but starting your own server takes the game to an entirely new level. Instead of just joining someone else’s world, you’re the one creating the space, setting the rules, and building a community. Here's why you might want to host a server:

• Play with Friends: Build together in the same world, even if you’re in different locations.
• Customize Gameplay: Add mods, plugins, and rules to create unique experiences.
• Complete Control: Instead of relying on someone else’s server , your server is online whenever you want for you and your friends.
• Create a Community: Invite others and grow your own player base.
• Learn About Hosting: Setting up a server teaches valuable technical skills.

In short: hosting your own Minecraft server means freedom, control, and possibilities you can’t get anywhere else.

Minecraft Server Hosting Options

If you want to host your own server it start with choosing a hosting option. There are four main hosting routes in 2025:

If you don't know what any of the above means and you don't care about technical side of things you should definitely go with shared hosting, since it's the easiest to start with, requiring no prior experience.

Plugins & Mods Ecosystem

Like I mentioned before one of the biggest reasons people host their own Minecraft server is the ability to customize gameplay far beyond what vanilla Minecraft allows. This is where plugins and mods come in. While they might sound similar to some, they serve very different purposes:

🔌 Plugins (Server-Side Only)

Plugins are server-side add-ons that don’t require players to install anything on their own computers. If you’ve ever joined a server with custom commands, shops, or ranks, that’s plugins in action.

Examples of what plugins can do:

• Add economy systems (EssentialsX, QuickShop-Hikari)
• Create ranks & permissions (LuckPerms)
• World protection & grief prevention (GriefPrevention, WorldGuard)
• Mini-games (SkyWars, BedWars)
• Quality of life tools (Dynmap, DiscordSRV)

Best for:

• Public servers, SMPs, and networks where you don’t want players to install anything extra.

Plugins Ecosystems:

• Modrinth
• SpigotMC
• PaperMC

🧩 Mods (Client + Server)

Mods go deeper, they can add entirely new content to the game: blocks, mobs, dimensions, weapons, UI changes, and even new mechanics. Unlike plugins, players must install the same mods locally to join your server.

Examples of what mods can do:

• Add hundreds of blocks & items (Tinkers’ Construct)
• Entire new dimensions (Twilight Forest, Aether)
• Technology & automation (Industrial Craft, Applied Energistics 2)
• Performance mods (Lithium, Sodium)

Best for:

• Small-to-medium communities where all players agree to install mods.
• Servers built around a theme (magic, tech, survival overhaul).

Mods Ecosystems:

• CurseForge – biggest mod library.
• Modrinth – modern, lightweight alternative.

Takeaway

The plugins & mods ecosystem is what makes Minecraft servers truly unique. Plugins = convenience and easy multiplayer. Mods = new content and total reinvention. Whichever path you choose, start small, learn what works, and expand as your server community grows.

Hosting Requirements (RAM, CPU, Storage)

Running a Minecraft server isn’t just clicking “Start”, it’s about making sure your machine has the right resources to handle players, worlds, mobs, and everything else that comes with them.

There are three core resources you need to run your Minecraft server are:

• RAM
• CPU
• Storage

🧠 RAM (Memory)

When people think about Minecraft servers, the first question is always:

👉 “How much RAM do I need?”

RAM is what keeps your world alive in real-time. Every chunk, every mob, every player inventory, they all live in memory. If your server doesn’t have enough, you’ll feel it instantly: lag spikes or even full crashes.

So, how much RAM do you need? Well, it depends. How many players you have? Do you run mods? How many players explore the world at the same time?

I'll try to give you REALLY rough guidelines for RAM:

⚡ CPU (Processor Power)

The CPU is the brain of your server. It’s the part of the computer that processes all the instructions and calculations Minecraft needs to keep running smoothly.

Minecraft is single-thread heavy. Unlike some games that spread load across multiple CPU cores, Minecraft does most work on one core. That means the speed per core (GHz) matters more than how many cores you have.

💾 Storage

Storage is the hard drive space where all your Minecraft server data is kept. This includes:

• Your worlds (Overworld, Nether, End, plus custom dimensions).
• Plugins & Mods (e.g., EssentialsX, LuckPerms, Forge mods).
• Config files (permissions, settings, plugin data).
• Backups (snapshots of your world in case something breaks)

People often ask: How much storage do I need?

The short answer: It depends. The longer you play, the more you build, the more players explore, the more storage you need so there's no real number what you need but if you are just starting out here's general guidelines for storage:

There are three types of storage options:

• ❌ HDD (Hard Disk Drive) - Old, cheap and slow.
• ✅ SSD (Solid State Drive) - Quick and fast.
• 🏆 NVMe SSD - The best option to go with.

How Much Does a Minecraft Server Cost?

Prices vary wildly depending on hosting option, provider and setup .Here’s a breakdown:

For example, if you go with shared hosting and run heavily modded server with 10-12 players, you need at least 10GB RAM which on average costs you $40/month.

On the other hand, you can take a dedicated server from OVH for $100/month in France and get 64GB RAM + 2x 960GB storage. Looks cheap but you have to be a lot more skilled technically.

Server Software (Bukkit, Paper, Spigot, Forge, Fabric)

When you host a Minecraft server, you don’t just choose hardware, you also choose the software that runs your server. Different server types exist for different playstyles: from pure vanilla, to plugins, to heavily modded worlds.

You can run the official Mojang server jar but if you do, you’ll miss out on:

• Better admin tools
• Game-changing customization (plugins, mods)
• HUGE performance improvements (lag reduction, chunk optimization)

There are many different server softwares each one with different performance and support options:

Bukkit, Paper, Spigot & Purpur

Bukkit is the foundation of the modern plugin scene. It was the first to let admins extend Minecraft without modifying the game itself. Almost every server plugin ecosystem today (from EssentialsX to WorldEdit) traces its roots back here.

But Bukkit itself is basically frozen in time. The community moved on, and now:

• Spigot: Optimized fork of Bukkit. Lean and stable.
• Paper: Optimized fork of Spigot. The go-to for performance, flexibility, and modern plugin support.

Forge & Fabric

Like I mentioned before, if plugins are about tweaking gameplay, mods are about reinventing Minecraft entirely.

• Forge: The OG modding platform. Heavy, great for massive packs like RLCraft or All The Mods 9.
• Fabric: Lightweight, faster startup, often chosen for performance mods (like Lithium, Phosphor).

More technical admins are gravitating toward Fabric because it lets them stay close to vanilla behavior while still layering in powerful mods. Forge is still king for giant packs, but Fabric has become the playground for innovative, lighter experiences.

Hybrid Servers (Mods + Plugins Together)

“What if I could run plugins and mods at the same time?”

Projects like Magma and Mohist attempt this. But here’s the hard truth:

• They’re often buggy.
• Updates lag behind.
• Plugins and mods don’t always play nice together.

Minecraft Server Version

Picking a server version is as important as the software you are picking. It dictates features, plugin/mod compatibility, performance and Java requirements. “Latest” isn’t always “best” but in the recent years "latest" more often than not is your best bet, depending on what you want or need.

Let's go over some of the top things you should know about server versions:

• Features: Quite simple, newer versions = new blocks/biomes/systems. The newer the version, the more content your server has.
• Compatibility: Most popular plugins move fast, but some lag one or two minor versions. Modpacks are pinned to specific game versions. A pack for 1.20.1 won’t “just work” on 1.21.
• Performance/Optimization: Mature versions often have better-tuned server software and plugin ecosystems. Brand-new releases can be spiky for a few weeks.

“Should I always update to the latest MC the day it releases?”

For private servers: sure. For public servers: test first. Give your plugin authors a moment. For servers with modpacks: No, modpacks are pinned to game versions.

How To Setup A Server

Now that you know the core, here’s the truth: there’s no single “right” way to set up a Minecraft server. From free, quick-and-dirty options to professional-grade hosting.

We’ve already created a full step-by-step guide on 8 Ways to Host a Minecraft Server, which breaks down every method in detail (LAN, Aternos, e4mc, Realms, Paid Hosting, and more). Here, let’s keep things simple and focus on the most common approaches.

Shared Hosting (Best Long-Term Choice)

This is the easiest and most reliable way to set up a Minecraft server. You buy from a hosting provider like WiseHosting, and they handle the heavy lifting: performance, uptime, and security.

💡 What setup looks like:

1. Choose your plan and location you want to host at.
2. Sign up and pay for the server.
3. Run your server.

Monthly fee is more on the expensive side with these third-party providers but it's worth it if you want to save time.

LAN World (Quick Local Play)

The simplest “setup” turn a singleplayer world into multiplayer for people on your Wi-Fi.

💡 What setup looks like:

1. Open your singleplayer world.
2. Click Open to LAN.
3. Friends on the same network can join.

One of the easiest but the most limiting way to host a server.

Free Hosting Platforms (Aternos, e4mc, Lunar Client)

These services make it possible to run a server without spending a dime. But as with most free tools, there are trade-offs: limited resources, downtime, and restrictions that can make them frustrating for anything beyond casual play.

• Aternos: One of the most popular free Minecraft hosts. It runs entirely in your browser and is very beginner-friendly. It's 100% FREE but comes with limited performance. It has long queues during peak hours and servers shut down when idle.
• e4mc: A mod that lets you turn your singleplayer world into a server that others can join online almost like a “LAN server, but over the internet.”
• Lunar Client Hosting: Lunar Client is a custom Minecraft launcher with built-in performance boosts and cosmetics. It also offers a “Host World” option to let others join your game.

If you want a stable, always-online, customizable community server, you’ll quickly hit their limits. That’s when upgrading to paid hosting makes sense, you get guaranteed performance, backups, and 24/7 uptime.

Minecraft Realms (Mojang Official Server Hosting)

If you’ve ever clicked the “Realms” button in the Minecraft menu, you’ve seen Mojang’s official hosting service. Realms is the most beginner-friendly way to host, no downloads, no configs, just pay and play.

✅ Pros

• Integrated directly into Minecraft (no setup needed).
• Safe and stable (hosted by Mojang).

⚠️ Cons

• Limited to 10 simultaneous players.
• No support for plugins or mods.
• Only runs the latest version (no older builds).
• Very expensive for what it offers compared to shared hosting.

⚡ More Advanced Hosting Setups

If you want more control than free platforms or Realms, there are advanced ways to host a Minecraft server. These options give you flexibility and power, but they also come with extra setup complexity and responsibility for security.

Here’s a quick overview:

• Self-Hosting (Your Own PC): Run Minecraft’s official server software directly from your computer. 100% free, but your PC must stay on for the server to work. Performance depends entirely on your hardware and internet speed.

• VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server): You rent a “slice” of a server with guaranteed resources. Install everything yourself: Java, server jar, plugins/mods. It has a lot more freedom than shared hosting, but requires Linux knowledge.
• Dedicated Servers: An entire physical machine just for your Minecraft server. It requires strong technical knowledge (Linux, firewalls, security hardening). Overkill for small servers with <20 players.

Final Setup Advice

• If you have no budget go with free but limited hosting → Aternos/e4mc
• If you want long-term, stable hosting → Paid third-party providers
• If you want best bang for buck → Advanced hosting

Best Minecraft Server Hosting Providers

Here’s a full view of the major hosting providers this year:

If you are on a budget and need a Minecraft hosting provider then check out this article for the cheapest Minecraft server hosting providers.

WiseHosting - The Highest-Rated Minecraft Host in 2025

WiseHosting is the world’s highest-rated Minecraft server hosting platform (4.8/5.0 on Trustpilot). Started by Shulkercraft, a Minecraft YouTube channel with over 2.3m subscribers, WiseHosting helps you quickly launch and manage your server.

What makes it stand out is how much it simplifies server management. Whether you’re running a casual SMP with friends or a large modded community, WiseHosting gives you the tools to launch, customize, and maintain your server without touching config files.

Built-in Managers

WiseHosting gives you built-in managers for worlds, backups, and settings - No hosting knowledge required. You can handle just about everything from one clean control panel. That means less time managing, more time actually running your server.

Get 24/7 Support from Hosting Experts

When questions pop up, you need answers fast. With WiseHosting, you get 24/7 support from real hosting experts who understand Minecraft inside and out. Whether it’s installing a modpack or fixing performance issues, you are one message away from the help.

Install Mods, Plugins & Modpacks with One Click

Installing plugins or mods used to mean hunting for files, uploading jars, and editing configs by hand. With WiseHosting’s one-click installer, you can browse a curated library (from sources like CurseForge or SpigotMC) and instantly add content to your server. It automatically handles version matching, so you don’t waste hours on updating or fixing things yourself.

Easily Switch Between Versions & Server Softwares

Sometimes you want the newest Minecraft version for fresh features, and other times your favorite plugins or modpacks only run on an older build. WiseHosting’s version switcher makes that so you don't have to download the correct server jar, move or delete files which all might risk corrupting worlds or breaking configs.

Manage Players without Joining Your Server

From a clean web dashboard, you see every connected player in real time. Need to ban a griefer, heal a player during an event, or give someone items? It’s all point-and-click, no login required, no commands to memorize.

Server Optimization & Solving Issues

Even the best-run servers hit roadblocks: lag spikes, plugin conflicts, or players reporting strange bugs. In order to run a solid server, you have to know how to fix common issues. Let’s break down some of the most common issues and how to handle them.

For more in depth information check out our guide on full server optimization guide.

📈 Performance & Plugin Issues

Before installing sketchy “lag fix” plugins (⚠️which usually make things worse), start with proven optimizations:

• Entity overloads: Too many mobs (villagers, animals, monsters) or items (dropped loot, farm overflow).
• High Ping: Players breaking a block and seeing it drop 2 seconds later. Usually due to server location (too far from players) or network issues.
• Chunk Loading: When new areas are explored, the server has to generate new chunks. Related with CPU and disk usage.
• Plugin & Mod Bottlenecks: Poorly optimized or outdated plugins use too much resources.
• Java Memory Issues: If Java isn’t tuned with the right flags, garbage collection (cleaning up memory) can cause random freezes.
• Low TPS (Ticks Per Second): Minecraft runs at 20 TPS (ticks per second). If it drops below ~18, the world starts to stutter. Caused by too many mobs, complex Redstone machines, or heavy plugins.

Bonus: 10 Best Minecraft Server Optimization Mods

🖥️ Host-Related Issues

Sometimes, it’s not you, it’s your host. Common examples:

• Sudden downtime without explanation.
• Performance drops unrelated to your server setup.
• Connection issues affecting multiple players at once.

In these cases, the best move is to open a support ticket with your host. A good host (like WiseHosting) will have 24/7 support and transparent status updates.

Server Security

If you are running a public Minecraft server it's essential to make sure you are secured, no matter what happens. Without good security, months (or even years) of progress can be lost to griefers, hackers, or to a bad crash.

Minecraft servers are juicy targets because they combine:

• Custom plugins (often written by inexperienced devs, sometimes with exploits).
• Public exposure (open IPs, unprotected proxies, shared panels).
• Young communities (easy targets for social engineering).

Most hacks don’t happen because “the hacker was a genius.” They happen because of simple misconfigurations or unnecessary features left enabled.

If you'd like to go deep with security, this post by Spigot user MrDienns is for you.

I'll try to give you some of the most common and simplest security measures you can take for your server so you and your world is safe.

🛑 Limit Permissions

Staff with more power than they need can become a problem. Never give out OP (/op) lightly, only to trusted admins. Use permissions plugin (like LuckPerms) to control access instead of giving full OP, for this I recommend creating separate roles: players, moderators, admins.

Make sure you are also not randomly giving accesses on system-level (databases, panel logins etc).

🔌Be picky with plugins

Only install trusted ones. Read reviews, check update history, and avoid “lag-fix” plugins. When a plugin is insecure (poorly coded, outdated, or outright malicious), it’s not just “a bug.” It can expose your entire stack: the server, your database, your Discord bot, even your web store.

How do I know which plugins are "not malicious"?

• Download only from reputable sources (SpigotMC, Modrinth, PaperMC forums, CurseForge). Avoid re-uploads and “nulled” sites.
• Check recency & maintainer activity. If a plugin hasn’t updated in ages (and you’re on a new MC version), assume risk.
• Skim the docs/changelog. Watch for scary features: console mirroring to Discord, “file read” commands, SQL consoles, remote evaluators.

💾 ALWAYS Have Backups

Data loss can kill servers and that's why we have backups. Backups are your safety net. Without them, one mistake can destroy everything.

Many different things can trigger your need for a backup:

• Griefing: A malicious player blows up your spawn with TNT? Restore yesterday’s backup.
• Corruption: A plugin bug breaks chunks? Roll back to the last clean save.
• Accidents: A moderator runs the wrong command? Restore in minutes.
• Hardware Failures: Drives fail. Hosts crash. Backups keep your world alive.

I recommend scheduling daily or weekly backups depending on the amount of players and activity your server has. More activity = more frequent backups.

🛡️ Use firewalls properly

If you’re running a BungeeCord/Velocity proxy with multiple Paper/Spigot servers, each backend must only be accessible through the proxy. Without a firewall, attackers can connect directly to a backend and bypass your permissions (this is the infamous “Bungee hack” where players OP themselves).

That's also why shared Minecraft hosting is often seen as “beginner-friendly,” because one of its hidden advantages is security by default.

🚫 Never Run Your Minecraft Server as Root

When you run your Minecraft server with root (Linux) or administrator (Windows) permissions, you’re essentially giving it keys to the entire machine. That means if anything goes wrong, a malicious plugin, a vulnerability like Log4Shell, or even a simple misconfigured script, the attacker (or mistake) isn’t just limited to your server folder. They can wipe the entire system, steal private data, or even turn your machine into part of a botnet.

Minecraft should only ever have access to what it needs.

How Minecraft Servers Make Money

Most people host Minecraft servers just to play with friends. But some servers grow into full-blown communities with hundreds (or even thousands) of players. At that scale, hosting isn’t cheap, and that’s where monetization comes in.

It’s not something every server owner needs to worry about, but it’s worth knowing how servers pay their bills (and sometimes even turn into profitable businesses).

Why Monetize a Minecraft Server?

• Cover Hosting Costs – A 100+ player server can cost $100–$300/month in hosting. Donations and sales help keep it alive.
• Fund Growth – Larger servers need staff, plugins, marketing, and DDoS protection. Money keeps the ecosystem sustainable.
• Turn Servers into Businesses – Some networks (like Hypixel) are run as full gaming companies with revenue in the 10s of millions of dollars.

👉 Read the official Minecraft Commercial Usage Guidelines.

Monetization Methods

• Donation Ranks (Most Common): Players support the server and get cosmetic perks like: colored chat names, hats & particles, pets, titles or badges.
• Crate Keys / Lootboxes: Players buy keys to unlock random cosmetic rewards. Legal as long as prizes are non-competitive. Popular on factions and prison servers.
• Subscription Models (VIP / Patreon): Supports ongoing income instead of one-time purchases: monthly ranks (e.g., VIP, MVP++), extra cosmetic perks & exclusive Discord channels.
• Server Shops (Economy Servers): Some servers with in-game currency allow buying boosts or cosmetics via real money.

Monetization isn’t required for small, private servers. But if you dream of running a larger community, you’ll eventually face the question: how do I pay for this?

Some servers barely cover costs with donations, others grow into companies. The key is doing it sustainably and fairly, without breaking Minecraft’s rules or exploiting your players.

Conclusion

You don’t need a datacenter or a computer science degree to run a great Minecraft server. There are simple and advanced paths, and it’s entirely up to you how deep you go. If you’re curious or technical, explore advanced setups and learn as you build. If you just want to play with friends, grab shared hosting and start your server in about two minutes.