How to Choose Minecraft Server Hosting: What to Check Before You Pay
Almost every Minecraft host promises the same thing on its homepage. The differences are in the small print and in how the server runs on a Friday night with everyone online. This is the checklist we'd use to choose, and it works for comparing any of them.
1. RAM: how much, and whether it's yours alone
It's what you notice most. Check how many GB the plan gives you, and above all whether they're reserved for you or whether the provider sells more RAM than the machine has (overselling): it works until all the servers are in use at once, which is exactly when you're playing.
Be wary of “unlimited” RAM: a machine has what it has. To find out how much you need, see our RAM guide; as a guide, 4 GB is enough for a group of friends without mods and a big modpack needs 8 GB or more.
Rather not set it up yourself? Minecraft servers from €6 a month, no contract and a full refund within 72 hours. Or create a free Minecraft server, no card needed.
2. CPU and disk
Minecraft mostly uses one core for the world, so it matters more that the core is fast than having lots of them. Ask what processor they use: if they don't say, there's usually a reason.
For the disk, NVMe is better: the world is saved and loaded constantly. And make sure there's redundancy (two mirrored disks), so a broken disk doesn't take your world with it.
3. Where the server is
If you play from Spain, a server in Europe gives you low ping; one in the United States is noticeable. Check where the data centre is, not where the company is.
4. Backups, and your data being yours
There should be backups you can restore yourself, without waiting for support, and you should be able to download your whole world whenever you want. If a host makes it hard to take your world with you, that's a way of keeping you hooked.
5. The panel: mods, versions and files
The minimum is a console, files and being able to change version. The comfortable option is installing mods, plugins and modpacks from the panel itself, and switching between Paper, Fabric, Forge or NeoForge without opening a ticket.
6. Price, minimum terms and refunds
Compare the price per GB of RAM, not the price of the cheapest plan. Check whether there's a minimum term, whether the price goes up on renewal and what happens if you're not happy: a money-back policy says a lot about whoever offers it. And read what they do with your server if a payment fails: how many days you have before it's deleted.
7. What about free ones?
They're fine for trying things out (the free options, one by one): they usually have a queue to start, shut down when nobody's on and are tight on RAM. For a game lasting weeks with people joining at different times, an always-on server makes a difference.
How NapNodes measures up on this list
So you can compare: reserved RAM, no overselling, with the price of every plan on show; each plan's CPU too, on fast-core processors (Intel Xeon E-2274G or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X); mirrored NVMe disks; servers in the European Union (OVHcloud, France); 2 backups you create and restore yourself, plus an automatic daily one; download your world whenever you want; mods, plugins and modpacks in one click, and changing type and version from the panel; no minimum term, a 72-hour refund the first time and 14 days to withdraw; and, when there's room, a free Minecraft server, no card needed.
If another host does better on what matters to you, choose it: that's what this list is for.
Frequently asked questions
What is overselling in Minecraft hosting?
Selling more RAM than the machine has, counting on not every server using it at the same time. When they do (at night, at the weekend), they all run slowly. With reserved RAM that doesn't happen.
Which is better, more RAM or a better CPU?
Both matter, but Minecraft relies heavily on a single fast core. With just the RAM your game needs, a fast CPU makes more difference than spare RAM.
Is free hosting worth it?
For trying things out, yes. For playing seriously with a group, they usually fall short: queues to start, shutting down with no players and little RAM.
What should good Minecraft hosting include?
Reserved RAM, a fast CPU, NVMe disks with redundancy, servers close to your players, backups you restore yourself, being able to download your world, a panel with mods and versions, no minimum term and a clear refund policy.
Shall we set it up for you?
Minecraft servers from €6 a month, never oversold: your RAM is yours alone. And if you'd rather start without paying, there's a free Minecraft server, no card needed.
Your server doesn't show up in the game? Check it in a second with “Is my Minecraft server online?”: players, version and MOTD, free. Need a player's UUID for the whitelist or permissions? Look it up here. Handing out enchanted items? Build the command with the /give generator.
How many GB do you need? Work it out with the RAM calculator: server type, players and view distance.
Free tool: Ping test. Measure from your connection the ping to the machines our servers run on, and whether you'll lag before setting one up.
Keep reading
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