The cost of a Minecraft server depends on three things: the number of players, the type of server (vanilla, plugins, modded) and where you host. This article breaks it down honestly, without marketing fluff.
Managed hosting (game server plans)
The easiest option. You pay monthly for a plan with a set amount of RAM:
| RAM | Suited for | Price (HostValues) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 GB | 2 to 4 players, vanilla | From EUR 1.40/month |
| 2 GB | 4 to 8 players, light plugins | From EUR 2.80/month |
| 4 GB | 10 to 20 players, plugins or light modpack | From EUR 5.60/month |
| 8 GB | 20 to 40 players, or heavier modpack | From EUR 11.20/month |
| 16 GB | 40+ players, heavy modpack (ATM10/11) | From EUR 22.40/month |
All plans include DDoS protection, automatic backups, a game panel, a database and support.
VPS (self-managed)
A VPS gives you more control but requires Linux knowledge. You pay for the entire machine, not just Minecraft:
- 4 GB VPS: from EUR 7 to 10 per month (including CPU, storage, bandwidth).
- 8 GB VPS: from EUR 14 to 20 per month.
You can run multiple servers on the same VPS, which makes it cheaper per server if you are building a network.
Self-hosting (at home)
Technically free, but with hidden costs:
- Electricity: a PC running 24/7 costs EUR 5 to 15 per month in power.
- Internet speed: your upload speed determines the quality. Below 10 Mbps upload, things get rough for more than 5 players.
- No DDoS protection: your home connection is vulnerable.
- No uptime guarantee: a power outage, internet drop or a system update takes your server offline.
For a group of 3 to 4 friends who play occasionally, it works. For anything more serious, hosting is more reliable and often cheaper than the electricity bill alone.
Free hosting
Services like Aternos and Minehut are free but come with significant limitations: queue times, limited RAM, no uptime guarantee, limited plugin support and no SFTP access. Read more in our article on the drawbacks of free Minecraft servers.
Extra costs to consider
- Domain: optional, EUR 5 to 15 per year for a .com or country TLD.
- Premium plugins: some plugins cost a one-time EUR 5 to 20.
- Website or store: free via Discord, or EUR 5 to 15 per month for a store platform (Tebex).
Is monthly billing more expensive?
Most hosts charge less per month when you pay quarterly or annually. At HostValues, monthly billing is always available at no extra cost.
Can I upgrade without losing data?
Yes. At HostValues we upgrade your plan without wiping the server. Your world, plugins and settings stay intact.
What if I only play a few hours per week?
The server runs 24/7 regardless. Pricing is per month, not per hour. For occasional use, a low-cost plan (EUR 1.40/month) is the best option.
Check the current pricing on the Minecraft hosting page.
