How do I make a Minecraft server?

Playing Minecraft with friends means running a server. This guide covers what you need, which server software to pick and how to get yours online — whether you host it yourself or let someone else do it.

Running it yourself or using a host

A Minecraft server needs a machine to run on. That can be your own computer, but there are downsides: your PC slows down while the server runs, the setup is fiddly, and opening your home network to the internet carries real security risks. It also means the server is only online when your computer is.

That is why most people use a hosting provider. MC-Node runs your server around the clock on hardware built for it, so your own machine stays free.

What you get with a hosted server

Our Minecraft server plans include the tools you actually need day to day: a version switcher, file manager, SFTP access, subdomains and backups. Everything runs on modern hardware with DDoS protection included, so your server stays stable and reachable whatever happens.

How much RAM do I need?

RAM is the main thing that determines how many players and mods your server handles. A small vanilla server for a few friends runs fine on 1–2 GB; a modpack or a busy server needs considerably more. Processor speed matters too, since Minecraft leans on single-core performance. There is a plan picker on our Minecraft hosting page that suggests a size based on your player count.

Which server software should I use?

Minecraft servers can run on several different platforms, each with its own strengths.

Vanilla

The standard server software from Mojang. It is the foundation the others are built on — simple, with no support for plugins. Good if you want the game exactly as designed.

Paper

One of the most popular choices. Paper builds on Vanilla with heavy performance optimisation, bug fixes and extra options for administrators — and it supports plugins. For most servers this is the right starting point.

Purpur

Built on Paper's codebase, Purpur adds far more configuration options, extra commands and additional gameplay features. Pick this if you want to fine-tune everything.

Spigot

An older performance-focused option with a large plugin ecosystem. Paper has largely superseded it, but plenty of servers still run it.

Forge

The platform for mods rather than plugins. If you want to run a modpack, you need Forge (or Fabric).

Starting the server

On your own machine you start a Minecraft server through Java:

Windows / Linux

java -Xmx1G -Xms1G -jar server.jar nogui

Change 1G to the amount of RAM you want to assign.

macOS — use a bash script:

#!/bin/bash
cd "$(dirname "$0")"
exec java -Xms1G -Xmx1G -jar server.jar nogui

With MC-Node none of this is necessary: after ordering, one click starts the server and you can begin configuring it straight away.

Connecting to your server

Connecting to a server on your own computer means opening ports on your router, and every router handles that differently — check your router's manual. It also exposes your home connection, which is worth thinking about carefully.

With a hosted server you skip all of it: the IP appears on your dashboard as soon as the server starts, and you connect straight away.

Getting started

Have a look at our Minecraft hosting plans — your server is online within a minute of ordering, on any version you like.