Best Minecraft server hosting: how to choose

Three ways to run a Minecraft server

Before you compare hosts, it’s worth knowing you might not need one. Here is how the three ways to play Minecraft with friends compare.

What to look for in a Minecraft host

These are the things that matter for Minecraft in particular. Each one says why, links the guide with the details, and says honestly what Wilderack does about it.

1. The right server type

   Paper and Purpur run plugins, while Fabric, NeoForge and Forge run mods. No server type runs both, so the one you pick decides what you can add. Minecraft server types: Paper, Fabric, NeoForge and more

   YesOn Wilderack: Pick vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Fabric, NeoForge or Forge when you create the server, and the server types guide helps you choose.

2. Modpacks without the hassle

   A modpack needs its matching server pack and plenty of memory: 6 to 10 GB or more, depending on how many mods the pack has. How to run a Minecraft modpack server

   YesOn Wilderack: Install modpacks from Modrinth or CurseForge in one click. We fetch the server pack for you.

3. A way in for Bedrock and console friends

   Bedrock on consoles has no button to add a server by address, so console players need a community workaround such as BedrockConnect. Let Bedrock players join your Java Minecraft server

   With a catchOn Wilderack: Run a Bedrock server, or add Bedrock to a Java server so both can join. Console players still need the workaround, plus your wake link if the server is asleep.

4. Updates that don’t break your world

   A mod or plugin update can break a world, so updates should wait until you say so. Minecraft server mods, plugins and add-ons

   YesOn Wilderack: Mods never update on their own. The Mods tab shows when updates are ready and makes a backup before it installs them.

5. RAM for what you run

   About 2 GB suits a few friends on Bedrock or vanilla Java, 4 to 5 GB up to 8 players on Paper, and modpacks need 6 to 10 GB or more. Minecraft server performance and lag fixes

   YesOn Wilderack: We recommend Sprout 4 GB for a Java group. Our free RAM calculator sizes a modded server for you.

6. An address friends can remember

   Java players can join with a name alone when the host points it at the server, with no port to type. How to join your Minecraft server on any device

   YesOn Wilderack: Every server gets a free address. Java players type it with no port.

What a cheap Minecraft server costs

A cheap server is one with enough memory for your group, not the lowest price on a page. These are the plans we sell for Minecraft, with the group size each one suits.

Monthly plans renew at the price shown, and you can cancel any time. A 3-day pass is a one-time payment that doesn’t renew. Prices in US dollars + applicable taxes.

Minecraft is one of the cheapest games to host well. Seed 2 GB runs vanilla Java or Bedrock for a few friends. Paper with plugins wants a little more, and modpacks a lot more, so size up before you add a big pack.

Part of why the price is low: your server naps when nobody is playing, so you don’t pay for hours of an empty world. Your world and settings stay exactly as you left them.

Where Wilderack falls short

No host is right for every group. These are the reasons we might not be the one for yours.

• We aren’t open yet. Join the waitlist and we’ll email you the day orders open.
• We can’t fix Bedrock on consoles. Xbox, PlayStation and Switch players still need a community workaround to join any server by address.
• One server runs plugins or mods, never both, because no server type we offer can mix them.
• Two regions so far: Europe and US East. Groups in Asia, Oceania or South America will have higher ping than with a host nearby.
• We are new, so we can’t show you years of uptime yet. A 3-day pass is the cheap way to try us first.

How we checked

The facts about Minecraft come from our own Minecraft guides, which our team checks against Mojang Studios / Microsoft’s documentation and patch notes, listed under Sources below. The facts about Wilderack come from our plans and the panel. Prices are read from our price list when this page is built, so they match the plans page. If something here is out of date, email support@wilderack.com and we will fix it.