What is a Dedicated IP in Minecraft? All You Need to Know.

A dedicated IP is an IP address used solely by your server, allowing players to connect without a port number. Instead of sharing an IP with other servers and requiring players to type something like 123.45.67.89:25565, a dedicated IP lets them connect with just 123.45.67.89. It's a cleaner, more professional way to run your server, though not essential for most setups.

What Is a Dedicated IP?

A dedicated IP address is exclusively assigned to your server. No other customers share it. This means your server runs on the default Minecraft port (25565 for Java, 19132 for Bedrock), making connections simpler and domain configuration easier.

Dedicated IP example:

123.45.67.89

Players type just the IP. No port needed.

Shared IP example:

123.45.67.89:25501

Multiple servers share the same IP address but use different ports to distinguish between them. Most hosting providers assign shared IPs by default because they work fine for the majority of servers.

Comparison: Dedicated IP vs Shared IP

Shared IPs work perfectly well for Java Edition servers. The only real limitation is Bedrock Edition, which doesn't support port numbers at all.

Why Use a Dedicated IP?

Bedrock Edition compatibility:
Bedrock Edition (consoles, mobile, Windows 10) cannot connect to servers using port numbers. If you want Bedrock players on your Java server via Geyser, or you're running a pure Bedrock server, a dedicated IP is required.

Cleaner connections:
Players can connect with just the IP address instead of remembering a port number. This is more professional and easier to share. Compare:

• Dedicated: play.example.com or 123.45.67.89
• Shared: play.example.com (with hidden SRV) or 123.45.67.89:25501

With a custom domain, shared IPs can hide the port using SRV records. But dedicated IPs skip that configuration entirely.

Simpler DNS setup:
With a dedicated IP, you create a simple A record pointing your domain to the IP. Done. With shared IPs, you need to configure SRV records that specify the port, which is more complex and not all DNS providers support properly.

Isolated resources:
Your server gets its own IP space. Other servers on shared IPs can't cause connectivity issues or reputation problems for your IP address. If someone on a shared IP gets DDoS attacked, everyone on that IP can experience disruption. Dedicated IPs isolate you from neighbor problems.

DDoS protection options:
Advanced DDoS mitigation services work better with dedicated IPs. You can implement IP specific filtering and traffic rules that aren't possible on shared infrastructure.

Running multiple services:
If you're running a Minecraft server, website, voice server, and other services on the same machine, a dedicated IP gives you full control over all ports. You can configure everything without worrying about port conflicts with other customers.

When You DON'T Need a Dedicated IP

Small friend servers:
If you're playing with 5 to 10 friends, a shared IP with a custom domain works perfectly. Your friends save the domain once and never think about it again.

Budget constraints:
Dedicated IPs cost $3 to $5 extra per month. If you're on a tight budget, that money is better spent on more RAM or better hardware. A shared IP with proper DNS configuration is indistinguishable to players.

Java Edition only:
If you're only running Java Edition and using a custom domain with SRV records, players connect the same way regardless of IP type. The SRV record hides the port automatically.

Using a custom domain:
Custom domains like play.example.com work with both shared and dedicated IPs. Players never see the actual IP or port. SRV records handle the port routing behind the scenes for shared IPs.

Shared IP Domain Setup (for comparison)

With a shared IP, you need both an A record and an SRV record:

A record:

• Host: play
• Type: A
• Value: 123.45.67.89

SRV record:

• Service: _minecraft
• Protocol: _tcp
• Name: play
• Priority: 0
• Weight: 5
• Port: 25501 (your actual port)
• Target: play.example.com

This is more complex and error prone. Some DNS providers don't support SRV records or make them difficult to configure. Dedicated IPs skip this entirely.

IP Reputation and Blacklists

Dedicated IPs give you control over your IP reputation. With shared IPs, if another customer sends spam, hosts malicious content, or gets DDoS attacked, your IP can get blacklisted or flagged. This rarely affects Minecraft servers directly but can impact other services you run on the same IP.

With a dedicated IP, only your actions affect your IP's reputation. You're isolated from other customers' behavior.

Do Bedrock Servers Require Dedicated IPs?

For Bedrock servers: Yes, basically. Bedrock Edition doesn't support port numbers in the server list. Players can only connect to IPs on the default port 19132. If you're running a Bedrock server on a shared IP with a custom port, players can't connect unless they use third party tools or DNS tricks.

For Geyser (Java + Bedrock): Yes, if you want Bedrock players to connect easily. Geyser lets Bedrock players join Java servers, but they need to connect on port 19132. A dedicated IP ensures Bedrock players can join without port complications.