Did you ever want to play Minecraft with your friends?

The pandemic forced the world to halt and self-isolate in their homes. The gaming industry saw rapid growth in the last few months. Online games allowed people to hang out with their friends and meet new people.

One of the most popular video games to date is Minecraft. First developed in 2009 by Markus Persson, Minecraft now has 126 million active users. Though playing alone can be fun, you can up the experience with some friends.

However, how much does it cost to run a Minecraft server? In this article, we cover the cost of running a Minecraft server. Read on to discover more!

Why You Should Set Up a Minecraft Server

Minecraft is a great way to bond with your friends and family, especially in recent months. Minecraft is one of the most versatile video games in the market. Here, you can create worlds and work with others to build, explore, and collaborate.

You can find many services that offer private servers. However, if you want to make your server open to anyone, anyone can join your server. You can bring in strangers from around the world to a virtual environment.

Minecraft’s Player Real only allows users to invite ten other players into a world. A server has no limitations other than the resources needed to run it. You can even add mods and other unique features.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Minecraft Server?

Minecraft servers can be a more complicated to understand than Realms and LAN worlds. Setting up a Minecraft server can involve a lot of moving parts, depending on your method. If you’re wondering how much does it cost to run a Minecraft server, here are some factors to consider.

Your Version of Minecraft

Minecraft offers two versions, Bedrock and Java. Your gaming medium may affect the version of Minecraft you have. Depending on the version of Minecraft you use, it can affect the cost of running a server.

Minecraft Java is more often found on PC and Mac. When you go to Minecraft.net, this will be the default version you find. Bedrock, otherwise known as Pocket Edition or Pocketmine, caters to mobile users.

It’s essential to note what version of Minecraft you play if you plan on hosting a server. Bedrock and Java players can’t play on the same server. If you want to serve both Java and Bedrock players, you may need to set up two servers.

RAM Requirement

When hosting a Minecraft server, the lowest recommended RAM is 1.5 GB of RAM. This refers to Minecraft 1.14 Vanilla and can cater to about one to five players. If you want to add more players, your server needs more RAM.

As a good rule of thumb, you need at least 300 MB of RAM per participant. You may need more memory for newer versions of Minecraft. Minecraft versions at 1.14 and above are more memory intensive.

Types of Server Hosting

When running a Minecraft server, you can select from two methods. As a server owner, you will need to evaluate its pros and cons. Depending on your chosen server, you will need to factor in variety, technical performance, and price.

Self-Hosting

Self-hosting a Minecraft server is the cheapest method. It’s a free option that allows you run a server on your personal computer and WiFi network. However, there are some cons to self-hosting a Minecraft server.

If you want to keep your server online, you will also need to keep the device on. If you have players from different timezones on your server, you will need to keep your PC on at all times. This will allow you to keep the server online even if you aren’t active.
You may also have security issues when running a public online server. Trolls and hackers are rampant on the internet, and they can find their way into your server. Self-hosting a Minecraft server will require your person IP.

This means anyone can access your WiFi address. Hackers and cyber-thieves may use this to get your personal information. This includes your personal address and other sensitive information.

If you want to run a server from your personal device, you need a high-performance PC. Your PC will need to provide a lot of RAM depending on how many players you want in your server. A lag-free experience for only four players will need a minimum of 2 GB.

If your computer can’t handle that many resources, user experience may suffer. You will also need the technical experience to operate, create, maintain, and update your server. If you want to add mods and plugins, you need to know all the technical know-how.

Self-hosting a Minecraft server will require technical knowledge and prowess. If this isn’t a problem for you, this is the best free option you have.

Server Hosting

With server hosting, you can choose to pay a quarterly, monthly, or annual fee. The price will depend on the quality, specifications, and options for service. Choosing a server hosting service will benefit your security.

Most services offer an information network to help you run your server the way you desire. Even if you’re only playing with friends, the extra security can give you some peace of mind. If you don’t have the technical prowess to run the server, a hosting service is your best option.

Many hosting services also offer customer support. If you run into any technical issues, you can contact customer support. Small servers for about twenty players may cost you up to $20 a month.

Looking to build the best user experience? Follow this link to find out how!

Run a Minecraft Server Today

With most of the world in self-isolation, running a Minecraft server is a great way to connect with others. If you’re wondering how much does it cost to run a Minecraft server, now you know! From RAM requirement to software version, here are some factors to consider when choosing a hosting method.

Thank you for reading our article! Looking for more gaming tips? Check out our other website posts for more great content.