For most groups, Mojang’s Realms or a small managed host is the easiest way to get online. Self-hosting with Mojang’s free Java or Bedrock software costs no hosting fee, but you supply the computer, electricity, maintenance and networking. A reported free Bedrock offer exists, but it has not been independently verified and should be treated as a temporary trial rather than a dependable plan.
Your best choice depends on four things: whether you play Java or Bedrock Edition, how many people will connect at once, whether you need mods or plugins, and how much control you want over files and uptime.
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Which Minecraft hosting method is right for you?
| Method | Typical cost | Setup effort | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrock Realms | $3.99/month for you plus two players; $7.99/month for Realms Plus and you plus 10 players | Very low | Small Bedrock groups that want an official, managed service | Fixed player limits and less file control |
| Java Realms | $7.99/month, up to 10 simultaneous players | Very low | Small Java groups that do not need extensive server administration | Fixed capacity and fewer controls than a self-hosted server |
| Home server | No hosting fee; you pay electricity and your existing internet costs | Medium to high | Owners of an always-on computer who want control | Port forwarding, security, changing public IPs and maintenance |
| Mojang dedicated server | Free software | Medium to high | Players who want full control and can manage a machine | You provide hardware, networking, backups and uptime |
| Managed paid host | Reported examples range from about $1.80 to $5.99+ per month, depending on plan and provider | Low to medium | Groups that want quick deployment, support or modpack tools | Recurring cost and provider-specific limits |
Prices from third-party hosting roundups are not guarantees. Promotions, billing terms, locations and resource allocations can change, so verify the provider’s current pricing before paying.
Start by choosing Java or Bedrock Edition
Java Edition
Java servers run on computers with a compatible Java Runtime Environment (JRE). Mojang’s download page explicitly says a compatible JRE is required to launch the server JAR file; see Mojang’s Java server download page. The required Java release depends on the Minecraft version: Minecraft 26.1 and later requires Java 25, while Minecraft 1.20.5 and newer requires Java 21, according to the Minecraft Wiki Java server tutorial.
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Java is generally the more flexible choice for community servers using mods, modpacks or plugins, but every add-on must match the server version and loader. It also requires more hands-on administration than Realms.
Bedrock Edition
Mojang provides a separate Bedrock Dedicated Server download for Windows and Linux. The official requirements are listed at Mojang’s Bedrock server page. Linux support requires Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later; other Linux distributions are not supported by the stated requirements. Windows requires Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later, or Windows Server 2016 or later.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBedrock’s server package is a ZIP archive and does not require a conventional installation step. Mojang also publishes release and preview builds. The preview server is not compatible with the full release of Bedrock Edition, so do not mix a preview server with normal-release clients; the Bedrock setup tutorial explains the distinction.
The listed minimum hardware is an Intel Core i3-3210, AMD A8-7600 APU or equivalent, 4 GB of RAM, and between 180 MB and 1 GB of free storage. Those are minimums, not a guarantee of smooth performance for a large world or many players.
Education Edition is a separate case
Minecraft Education has its own dedicated-server requirements: two CPU cores, 1 GB of RAM, and Windows 10/11 or Ubuntu 18.04 or later. Those requirements do not apply to standard Java or Bedrock servers, so do not use the Education page to size a normal survival server.
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Official Realms: the simplest managed option
Realms is Mojang’s managed service. You do not configure a public router, keep a server PC running or maintain the operating system. You select the world, invite players and let Mojang handle the hosting layer.
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| Plan | Price shown by Mojang | Player allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrock Realms | $3.99 USD per month | You plus two players |
| Realms Plus | $7.99 USD per month | You plus 10 players |
These figures come from Mojang’s Realms page. Prices can vary by region and may change. The allowance is a simultaneous-player limit, not a promise that only that many people can ever be invited.
Java Realms pricing and billing
Java Realms is listed at $7.99 USD per month for up to 10 players at the same time. The service offers a monthly subscription that renews every 30 days, as well as one-time 30-, 90- or 180-day packages. A 30-day free Realms trial is available, and invited members do not need their own Realms subscription to play. The current details are summarized by the Minecraft Wiki Realms reference; check the purchase screen for your region before subscribing.
When Realms is a good fit
- You want a world online without router configuration.
- Your group fits within the plan’s simultaneous-player cap.
- You prefer a managed service to operating Java, Bedrock files and backups yourself.
- You do not require the extensive mod, plugin or file control available on an independent server.
When to choose something else
Realms is a poor fit when you need a large modpack, custom server software, unusual automation, unrestricted file access or more players than the plan permits. In those cases, compare a managed host with self-hosting.
How to self-host Java for free
Mojang’s Java server software has no hosting charge. “Free” means you supply a computer, electricity, internet connection, storage, backups and administration. A practical small server should allocate about 2 GB of RAM; 1 GB is the stated minimum allocation. Reserve at least 5 GB of disk space because worlds and logs grow. The server typically uses no more than about three CPU cores for its main work, although other processes and world activity still affect performance.
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Prepare the machine
- Choose a computer that can remain powered on whenever players need access. A spare desktop, mini PC or rented virtual machine can work if it meets the Java version and memory requirements.
- Install the Java release required by your Minecraft version. Minecraft 26.1 and later needs Java 25; Minecraft 1.20.5 through the versions before 26.1 needs Java 21.
- Create a dedicated folder for the server and keep the server JAR, world files and configuration there.
- Allocate at least 1 GB of RAM, with about 2 GB a sensible starting point for a small world. Leave additional memory for the operating system.
- Launch the JAR with your installed Java runtime, accept Mojang’s EULA when prompted, then stop and restart the server so configuration changes are applied.
Keep the server version, client version and any mods or plugins aligned. A version mismatch is one of the most common reasons players cannot connect.
Make it reachable from outside your home
- Give the server computer a consistent local address, either with a router reservation or a static local configuration.
- Forward the server’s Minecraft port from the router to that computer. The exact menu names differ by router.
- Allow the Java server through the computer’s firewall, limiting the rule to the required port rather than disabling the firewall.
- Test from a connection outside your home network, such as a mobile hotspot. Testing only from inside the same network can hide forwarding errors.
- If your public IP changes, use a dynamic-DNS service so players have a stable hostname. Update the record whenever your address changes.
Port forwarding exposes a service on your home network to the internet. Keep the operating system and server software updated, enable a whitelist, use strong account credentials, and avoid running unrelated services on the same machine.
Backups and maintenance
- Stop the server cleanly before copying world files.
- Keep more than one backup and store at least one copy on another device.
- Test restoring a backup before a major update or modpack change.
- Monitor free disk space, memory use and unexpected shutdowns.
- Schedule updates for a time when players are not online, and confirm that every client uses the same version afterward.
How to self-host Bedrock for free
Download the Bedrock Dedicated Server ZIP from Mojang, extract it and run the server on a supported Windows or Ubuntu machine. The package does not require a traditional installer.
Bedrock preparation checklist
- Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later, or Windows Server 2016 or later; alternatively Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later.
- At least an Intel Core i3-3210, AMD A8-7600 APU or equivalent.
- At least 4 GB of RAM.
- Between 180 MB and 1 GB of free storage for the listed server package and files; allow substantially more for a growing world and backups.
- A release server paired with release clients, or a preview server paired only with compatible preview clients.
Configure the server files, set the world and player options, then permit the service through the operating system firewall and forward the required port on your router. Use the same home-network precautions as a Java server: updates, whitelist controls, backups and a machine that can remain online.
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Why Bedrock home hosting can be attractive
Bedrock’s server software has a lower listed hardware floor than the Java guidance, and Bedrock is available across more consumer platforms. The trade-off is stricter operating-system support for the dedicated server and a different ecosystem of add-ons and administration tools.
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Managed paid hosting: what you are buying
A managed host bundles a ready-to-use machine, a control panel and network connectivity. You pay monthly instead of maintaining your own computer. Setup is usually faster than home hosting, and some providers include one-click installers, backups or modpack libraries. Read the resource limits: a low headline price may mean limited RAM, storage, CPU time or player capacity.
| Provider mentioned in published roundups | Reported starting price | What the reports say | Confidence and caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shockbyte | $2.50/month in one list; $3.99/month in another | Different plans or regions may explain the gap. | Third-party list prices; verify current plan details. |
| GravelHost | From $1.80/month for reported Bedrock plans | Presented as an entry-level Bedrock option. | Third-party list price; verify inclusions and renewal terms. |
| BisectHosting | About $2.99/month in one list; $5.99/month in another | Cited for support for more than 2,300 modpacks. | Prices differ by source and plan; confirm modpack, RAM and backup limits. |
These are reported listicle or review prices, some of which may be affiliate-supported. They are not a controlled price survey and should not be treated as permanent rates. Before ordering, check the provider’s own pricing page for renewal price, billing cycle, RAM, storage, backups, DDoS protection, location, cancellation policy and whether the plan supports your edition.
Questions to ask before paying
- Does the plan run Java, Bedrock or both?
- How much RAM is dedicated rather than shared?
- Can you upload your own world and download it later?
- Are Forge, Fabric, Paper, Bukkit or other server software supported?
- Which modpacks are one-click installs, and can you install a custom pack?
- How often are backups made, and how many restore points are retained?
- Is the advertised price introductory, recurring, monthly, or based on a longer billing term?
- What happens to the world if payment lapses?
Free third-party hosting: treat it as a trial
One published result reports a permanently free 3 GB Bedrock server with no credit card and renewal roughly every couple of days. That offer was reported in a review, not verified on the provider’s own page. Terms, availability and resource limits may change, so do not put an irreplaceable long-running world there without a downloadable backup. No equivalent free Java tier was verified.
If you test a free offer, confirm the renewal requirement, inactivity policy, queue or sleep behavior, storage limit, player limit and export process first. For a genuinely no-cost long-term setup, self-hosting with Mojang’s software is the option you control.
Home hosting versus a managed host
| Consideration | Home server | Managed host |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring hosting fee | None, but electricity and existing internet costs remain | Monthly charge |
| Hardware | You supply and maintain it | Included by the provider |
| Networking | Port forwarding or tunneling, firewall rules and possibly dynamic DNS | Usually configured by the provider |
| Control | Maximum control over files, software and backups | Depends on panel and plan |
| Uptime | Limited by your power, hardware and internet connection | Depends on provider infrastructure and plan |
| Security responsibility | Primarily yours | Shared with the provider, but account and server security remain your responsibility |
Choose home hosting when you already own a suitable always-on machine and are comfortable with networking. Choose managed hosting when your time is worth more than the monthly fee or when you need a datacenter connection and a support panel.
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A practical decision guide
Choose Realms when
Your group is small, everyone uses the same edition, and convenience matters more than deep configuration. Bedrock groups should compare the $3.99 and $7.99 tiers; Java groups should compare the $7.99 plan and its subscription or package billing.
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Choose a paid host when
You need a server online without leaving a home computer running, or you want modpack and plugin tooling. Compare the actual RAM, software compatibility, backups and renewal price rather than choosing solely by the lowest advertised number.
Choose home or direct self-hosting when
You want full file control, can keep a machine online, and are willing to configure a firewall, router and backups. It is the lowest-cash-cost route but not the lowest-effort route.
Choose a free third-party tier only when
You are experimenting with a disposable world and have verified the current terms. Export your world regularly because the reported offer has not been independently confirmed.
Common problems and fixes
“The server will not start”
Check that the Java version matches the Minecraft version, that the JAR is intact, that the EULA has been accepted, and that the machine has enough free memory and disk space. Bedrock users should verify the operating system against Mojang’s supported list and ensure they did not install a preview build for release clients.
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Confirm the server is running, the firewall rule permits the service, the router forwards to the correct local address, and you are testing from outside the home network. A changing public IP may require dynamic DNS. Some internet providers use carrier-grade NAT, which can prevent inbound forwarding; a tunnel or managed host may then be easier.
“The world is lagging”
Check memory pressure, CPU load, disk space and the number of active entities or heavy add-ons. Reduce view or simulation distance, remove incompatible mods, or move to a machine or managed plan with more resources. Do not assume a plan’s player count is meaningful without knowing its RAM and CPU allocation.
“Players have lost progress”
Stop the server before copying a backup, keep multiple dated copies, and test a restore. For managed hosting, verify how to download the world before changing plans or allowing a subscription to lapse.
Quick Recap
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