You can run a Minecraft server in two ways: rent a game server where the panel, versions and backups are handled for you, or rent a VPS and set up everything yourself. The first option is cheaper and ready in five minutes. The second gives you full control and teaches you a lot, but you are also your own system administrator. Below is what each path involves, what it costs, and who it suits.
The comparison at a glance
| Game server (managed) | KVM VPS (self-managed) | |
|---|---|---|
| Ready in | A few minutes after payment | An afternoon, the first time |
| What you get | Server with panel: version selector, file manager, backups, console, SFTP | A blank Linux machine with root access |
| What you do | Pick a version, upload plugins, play | Install Java, keep the server running, updates, backups, security, optionally a panel like Pterodactyl |
| Knowledge needed | None | Linux basics: SSH, packages, file permissions, systemd |
| Multiple servers | One per plan | As many as memory allows |
| Other software | No | Yes: website, Discord bot, database, second game |
| When things break | Our support helps | You figure it out; support helps with the machine, not your software |
| Starting price | EUR 2.80/month (2 GB) | EUR 4.50/month (2 GB, 2 vCores, 25 GB NVMe) |
| 8 GB for Minecraft | EUR 11.20 | EUR 11.90 (KVM-08, 4 vCores, 100 GB) |
Notice the last two rows: for a single Minecraft server the VPS is not cheaper, just more work. The VPS starts winning when you run more than one thing on it.
Choose the game server if
- you want to play, not manage infrastructure;
- you need one server, or several that you want to keep separate;
- you want backups, version switching and Java selection in a menu;
- you want someone to help when the server does not come up.
Choose the VPS if
- you want to run multiple servers on one machine, for example a survival and a creative server with a Velocity proxy in front;
- you need to host a website, a Discord bot or a database alongside Minecraft;
- you want to learn Linux, or you already know it;
- you need something the game panel does not allow, like custom system software or an unusual port setup.
What "self-managed" on a VPS actually means
For a single Minecraft server on a fresh VPS with Debian or Ubuntu:
- Log in via SSH, change the password, run updates, enable the firewall (
ufw allow OpenSSH, then allow the Minecraft port). - Install Java. For Minecraft 26.x that is Java 25; for 1.21.x it is Java 21. On Debian and Ubuntu you get these from Adoptium (Temurin).
- Create a dedicated user for the server, download the Paper jar, accept the EULA.
- Write a
systemdservice so the server starts automatically on reboot and restarts on crash. - Set up backups: a cron job that archives the world folder daily and stores it elsewhere.
- Keep everything updated: Paper, Java, the operating system.
If you want a panel anyway, Pterodactyl is the standard choice. It requires Docker, a web server, PHP and MySQL, plus an hour or two of installation the first time. Budget at least 2 GB of RAM for the panel itself on top of what your servers use. It is exactly what HostValues runs for you on the game server plans, so ask yourself whether you want to do that work.
A common mistake
Taking a 4 GB VPS and launching Minecraft with -Xmx4G. The operating system and Java itself also need memory. The kernel will kill the process (you will see "Out of memory: Killed process" in the logs). On a VPS, never give Minecraft more than about 75 percent of the total memory. On a game server plan this is not an issue: the memory you buy is dedicated to the server.
Hardware is the same
At HostValues, both game servers and VPS instances run on the same AMD Ryzen 9 7950X nodes with NVMe storage and DDoS protection. The difference is who manages the software, not how fast the hardware is.
Is a VPS faster than a game server?
No. Both run on identical hardware at HostValues. The difference is in who handles the software. A VPS gives you root access and full control; a game server gives you a panel and support.
Can I move from a VPS to a game server, or the other way around?
Yes. The world folder is just a directory. Transfer it via SFTP and pick the same Minecraft version on the new side. See our knowledge base article on importing a world.
How many Minecraft servers fit on an 8 GB VPS?
Two servers of 3 GB with a lightweight proxy, or one server of 6 GB. Budget 1 to 1.5 GB for the system and optionally Pterodactyl.
For most people who want to play with friends, the game server is the right answer. If you want to run multiple services or learn server administration, check the KVM VPS plans.
