How to Make a Minecraft Server (PC, Free and Paid Options)

There are three ways to run a Minecraft server: on your own PC, on a free host, or on a rented server. Running it on your PC is free but requires port forwarding, and the server is only online while the PC is on. Free hosts have strict limits. A rented server stays online and needs no router setup.

Host it on your own PC

1. Install Java: 21 for Minecraft 1.20.5–1.21.11, 25 for 26.1 and newer (full table). Eclipse Temurin is a common choice. Run java -version to check it.

2. Download the server jar for your version from minecraft.net, put it in an empty folder and run it:

   java -Xms2G -Xmx2G -jar server.jar nogui
   

   -Xmx sets the maximum memory. The first run creates eula.txt and stops.

3. Set eula=true in eula.txt (details) and run the server again. When the log shows Done, connect to localhost.

4. Set motd, max-players, difficulty and white-list in server.properties.

5. To let friends outside your network join, forward TCP port 25565 on your router to your PC's local IP, allow Java through the firewall, and share your public IP.

Port forwarding does not work if your ISP uses CGNAT, which means you have no public IP of your own. Home IPs can also change. While the server runs, it shares CPU with your game, and anyone who connects can see your home IP. A DDoS attack on the server affects your whole home connection.

Use a free host

Free hosts let you create a server in the browser. Most stop the server when nobody is online and make you wait in a queue to start it again. They also limit memory, which rules out most modpacks, run on shared hardware, and restrict file access.

Rent a server

A rented server stays online, has a public IP, and comes with a panel for files, the console and restarts. When comparing hosts, check:

• CPU: single-core speed matters most, because the main game loop runs on one core.
• RAM: enough for your mods and player count. See how much RAM a Minecraft server needs.
• Storage: NVMe, for chunk loading and world saves.
• DDoS protection: public servers are a common target.
• SFTP access: for uploading worlds and mods.
• Location: close to your players, for lower ping.

Set up a modded server

The Vanilla server does not load mods. You need a mod loader, and every player needs the same loader and mods installed:

• Fabric updates quickly to new Minecraft versions. Run the Fabric server launcher like a normal server jar and put mods in the mods folder. Most Fabric mods also need Fabric API.
• NeoForge is used by most large modpacks. Run the installer with --installServer, then start the server with the generated run script instead of java -jar.

For plugins that need no client mods, use Paper instead. The server software guide compares the options. Modded world generation uses a lot of CPU, so pre-generate the world before players join.

Which option to choose

• To learn how servers work, or to play occasionally with a few friends, use your own PC.
• To try something out for a few hours, use a free host.
• For a server that is online whenever your players are, rent one.