There are two ways to make a Minecraft server. You can run the free server software on your own computer, or you can rent a server that runs all day without your PC. This guide shows both, so you can pick the one that fits your group.
Option 1: run it on your own PC
This works well for a few friends who play at the same time, and it costs nothing apart from your electricity.
- Install Java. The Java Edition server is a Java program. Current game versions need Java 21, and older versions need an older Java, so check the version you want to play.
- Download the server. On Minecraft's official website, download the Java Edition server file for your version and put it in its own empty folder.
- Start it once. Open a terminal in that folder and run
java -Xmx2G -jar server.jar nogui. It stops after creating a few files, includingeula.txt. - Accept the EULA. Open
eula.txtand changeeula=falsetoeula=true, then start the server again. The first world takes a minute to generate. - Let your friends in. Friends on your home network join with your computer's address. Friends elsewhere need your router to forward port 25565 to your PC, and they join with your public IP address.
What to expect: the server only runs while your PC is on and the window is open. Your home internet upload speed limits how many players it can carry, and port forwarding does not work on some connections at all. If you play Bedrock Edition, the steps are different, because Bedrock has its own server program.
Option 2: use a hosted server
A hosted server runs on a machine in a data centre, so it stays online when you log off and nobody has to touch a router.
- Order a plan. Pick the amount of memory for your group. See How much RAM does a Minecraft server need? if you are not sure.
- Wait for it to be ready. Setup takes a few minutes. Open your server in the panel and check that the status badge says Online.
- Join. Copy the Server Address from the Overview page and add it in Minecraft. See How to join your Minecraft server.
- Choose what you want to play. Vanilla, Paper, Fabric and more are available from the server type window, and modpacks install from the Modpacks tab. See Minecraft server types explained and How to install a modpack.
Every plan has a 72-hour money-back guarantee, so you can try it with your friends before you decide.
Which one should you pick?
| On your own PC | Hosted server | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | A monthly price |
| Online when your PC is off | No | Yes |
| Setup | Java, EULA, router settings | Order and wait a few minutes |
| Friends from other places | Needs port forwarding | Works with the address |
| Modpacks | You install and update them yourself | Installer in the panel |
If you only play together on one evening and your router allows it, your own PC is fine. If you want the world to be there whenever anyone logs in, or you want to run modpacks, a hosted server saves you the setup.
Next steps: once you have a server, read How to set up a whitelist and ban players so only your friends can join.
