How to Set Up a Minecraft Server

There are two ways to run a Minecraft server: host it yourself on your PC, or rent a dedicated server that stays online 24/7. This guide covers both, then shows the fastest path to a server your friends can join in under a minute.

Self-hosting vs a dedicated host

Running the server on your own PC is free, but your world is only online while your machine is on, your home IP is exposed, and your upload bandwidth limits how many players can join smoothly. A dedicated Minecraft server stays online around the clock, has a proper network with DDoS protection, and is built for low latency — which is why most communities rent one.

How much RAM do you need?

• Vanilla, 2–5 players: 2 GB RAM
• A few plugins or 5–10 players: 3–4 GB
• Modpacks (Forge/Fabric) or 10–20 players: 6–8 GB+
• Large modded networks: 8–12 GB+

CPU clock speed matters as much as RAM — Minecraft is largely single-threaded, so a high-clock AMD Ryzen core keeps tick rate (TPS) at a smooth 20.

Java, Bedrock or both?

Java Edition has the deepest modding scene (Paper, Spigot, Forge, Fabric). Bedrock is for console and mobile crossplay. Want both on one world? A Paper server with Geyser lets Bedrock players join your Java server.

Set it up on GGameHost in 4 steps

1. Choose a plan. Pick a Minecraft plan sized to your player count and mods. Start small — you can upgrade RAM in one click.
2. Deploy. Check out and your server is online in under 60 seconds, with console access right away.
3. Configure. Pick your server type (Paper/Forge/Fabric) and install plugins or a modpack from the one-click installer, or upload your own via FTP.
4. Invite friends. Share your free subdomain or IP and you are playing — the server stays online even when you log off.

Useful first settings

• Set difficulty, gamemode and max-players in server.properties (editable in the panel).
• Turn on white-list for a private SMP.
• Schedule automatic restarts and backups so you never lose progress.

Deploy a Minecraft server →