Minecraft Server Cost Calculator
See what running a Minecraft server at home costs in electricity, and how it compares to a WiseHosting plan.
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How to work out your server costsHow to work out your server costs
Set how many watts it uses. A gaming PC draws about 80 to 120 W from the wall when idle.
A server your friends can join any time runs 24 hours a day. Your bill lists your price per kWh.
See the electricity cost per month and per year next to a WiseHosting plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've got answers for everything you need. If you don't find your answers here, contact us directly.
A gaming PC left on all day uses about 100 watts, or 73 kWh a month, which is about $15 a month at 20 cents per kWh. A laptop or mini PC costs a few dollars a month. Run it only while you play and it costs much less, but then your friends can't join without you. Hardware and internet aren't included.
It uses what the computer uses. A gaming PC draws about 80 to 120 watts at the wall when idle and more while the server is busy, an older office desktop 30 to 50 watts, a laptop 15 to 25 watts and a modern mini PC 10 to 20 watts. Use a plug-in power meter to see your own.
At home is cheaper in electricity, especially if you only run it while you play. Paid hosting costs more but stays online without your computer, needs no router setup and keeps your home address private.
For a small group of friends, often yes. Free hosts like Aternos and Minehut cost nothing, but the server sleeps when nobody is on and has little RAM. Minehut's free plan lists 1 GB of RAM and 10 players. They suit casual play, not a world that has to be up all day.
The cost of the computer, your internet plan and your time. Your internet upload speed matters too, because every player's game goes out through it.
If you play on the same computer, yes. The server uses RAM and processor power that the game also needs, so a big world or many players can make both lag.
It works, but players connect to your home internet address, and you have to open a port on your router. A hosted server keeps your address private and handles attacks for you. A tunnel service can hide your address if you stay at home.
Look at your electricity bill, the price is listed per kWh. The calculator starts at 20 cents, close to the US average of about 18 cents in July 2026 according to the EIA. Much of Europe pays more, about 0.29 euros in the second half of 2025 according to Eurostat.