The 5 Best Hostinger Minecraft Server 2021 (Ranked!)
The 5 Best Minecraft Server Hosting 2021 (Ranked!)
With a game as loved and agile as Minecraft, it's not really a surprise that many people are looking to set up their own Minecraft server.
There are several ways you can play Minecraft with friends, but by far the most versatile is on a Minecraft server hosted online.
SEE ALSO: WHAT IS CLOUD BEST WEB HOSTING AND WILL IT WORK FOR ME
What is Minecraft?
Think of Minecraft as the modern version of a classic that has not gone out of style. I've even called it virtual Lego before. This may not be correct, given that Minecraft has become so popular that it even has an entire Lego theme!
The simplistic graphics combined with the basic gameplay that still allows for a lot of innovation has made this game extremely popular.
Thanks to its supportive fan base, Minecraft has been able to push on virtually all digital platforms, from desktop computers to mobile devices and consoles. Today, Minecraft is available in plain vanilla or as one of the many custom builds that fans and developers have created.
Multiplayer mode in Minecraft
While Minecraft can be played solo, one of the main attractions is the multiplayer mode that allows users to interact with each other. Depending on the environment, this can lead to many things.
For example, players can decide to go to war, engage in co-op missions, or just live together in peace on their own little parcels of virtual land. For multiplayer mode there are four main options;
Playing on a Local Area Network (LAN)
A LAN connects a group of computers in a smaller (more localized) space. For example, linking some computers in a room is considered a LAN.Minecraft Realms
The Realms concept was created by Minecraft designers to allow players to quickly host Minecraft games through the service. It is subscription based, in addition to the cost of Minecraft.Split Screen
This is for consoles only and allows up to four users to play Minecraft side by side on one screen.Online server
This is the most interesting of all and involves a user actually setting up a full online environment to host Minecraft games. Typically, the host rents server space from a web hosting company for this purpose.
Minimum Requirements for Minecraft Server Hosting
As you may know, hosting games is often difficult as they typically require more resources than most web applications. Luckily, Minecraft isn't exactly a huge resource pig and you can host it on web servers with some pretty basic specs.
Still, that takes into account the basic settings of Minecraft - pure Vanilla as they call it. For these installations and an average player base of 10, you can get by with the bare minimum in VPS hosting.
Let's take a look at the likely requirements for regular Vanilla Minecraft hosting in numbers;
Minimum requirement.
1GB RAM
1 CPU Core
recommended req.
2 GB RAM
2 CPU core
Storage space is pretty negligible in the context of what's on offer, so we'll skip that here as long as it's SSD-based.
As you raise the bar and get more serious about Minecraft hosting, you're looking at tougher grades for player groups of 50 and above. You may also want to consider other options, such as using mods, which further increase the requirements.
In these cases, I would recommend a VPS plan like the Minecraft Villager Plan on Hostinger takes a month, which offers 3GB of RAM but only $ 12.95 /. As you can see, the more players you want to host, the higher your potential costs become.
Benefits of Running Your Own Minecraft Server
So now that you've reached this point in the article, you're now wondering why on earth you'd have the headache of finding your own server to host Minecraft on?
While I don't blame you for flinching at this point, there are some very positive aspects of Minecraft hosting to consider.
Freedom of Choice in Mods
If you've ever played a game and got frustrated because the version you're working on doesn't have certain mods enabled, this can be frustrating. These plugins may even be readily available just out of your reach. Hosting your own Minecraft server allows you to freely choose what to install.Building a community
Humans are social creatures and while it can be a lot of fun to be with friends, time doesn't always allow it. Fortunately, the digital world is moving away and Minecraft can be a great way to build a small community of your best friends. Your own world within the world, so to speak.My Home, My Rules
With hosts supporting a large community, rules are often created with tremendous overall effect for the benefit of the majority. If you're hosting your own Minecraft server, all you have to do is keep in mind rules that affect your small group. Even better - it will be your pleasure and no one else's.As a learning resource
If you are an educator, you may be surprised to know that Minecraft can be an excellent learning resource. Consider social experimentation and teach young minds the importance of behavioral aspects and decision-making, all in a fun environment that encourages them to build and explore.
The list goes on, so get creative and think of Minecraft hosting as less 'dealing with a game' and more potential when used creatively.Monetization
Hosting Minecraft can get quite expensive in the long run, especially if you're hosting a larger number of players. The cost of hosting servers is going to be significant, but Minecraft is still licensed from Microsoft - it understands there are costs to cover.
That's why Microsoft has made some compensation, opening up avenues for you to offset costs. Some of the ways you can monetize your Minecraft servers include creating in-game ads, setting up online stores, and more.
What should you pay attention to with Minecraft Server Hosting?
Like many other applications, Minecraft makes demands on both hardware and infrastructure. In order to enjoy a smooth gaming experience on self-hosted Minecraft environments, you need to be aware of some financial and technical details.
While most of these details broadly apply to almost all web hosting options, some web hosts have gone the extra mile to offer specialized Minecraft hosting plans that may include additional Minecraft-specific features.
If you are running your own Minecraft server online you will need the hardware and bandwidth to support it. Unless you own a data center, that means renting space on a server hosted by a web hosting company like Hostinger.
In order for your Minecraft hosting to run smoothly, there are some things to consider when choosing a Minecraft hosting plan, such as;
1. Processor
Almost all web applications need processing time to run, but this is especially true for game environments. In actual usage scenarios the processing time is calculated in clock cycles (hence the presentation as MHz or GHz).
With web hosting, servers are often equipped with several powerful processors. Exactly how much processor time you get is determined by the plans your web host offers. Shared hosting processor time is shared between accounts, while VPS or cloud hosting plans provide users with exclusive use of certain amounts of resources.
2. Memory
RAM is a fast, volatile storage used to run processes. When a request is made to your server, data is loaded into memory for faster processing. If you have less memory than necessary, servers have to swap data in and out of RAM more often, resulting in lower performance.
Again, as with processor time, shared hosting works from a large pool of memory shared between multiple accounts. VPS or cloud plans provide their usage of allocated memory for use. How much depends on the host and the plan you choose.
3. Storage type and space
Minecraft isn't a game that requires an exceptionally large amount of storage space, but if you're using a Minecraft server, SSD will help speed up performance. However, know the differences that are possible in this area.
Some web hosts provide SSD-based server software (such as the operating system and web server software) while storing your data on the regular storage. This is different from offering a full SSD solution where everything is stored on SSD.
4. Server location
This can be one of the most critical things for your Minecraft hosting server. The location where the server is hosted makes a difference. A server that is far away from where the players are will often result in high latency (lag).
If you're hosting players from all over the world, there's not much you can do about this. However, if you are hosting in a more localized context (perhaps for players in a specific country / region), then choose a web host with servers in or near that area. This can significantly reduce game delay.
5. Minecraft-specific support
As I mentioned earlier, some web hosts offer special hosting plans aimed at Minecraft hosts. This is important because those who do often have additional support for your Minecraft hosting plans that may not be easy to find elsewhere.
Examples of this type of support are often in the field of installation and configuration assistance. To see if a host you are considering can help with this, it's best to try contacting them before selecting a plan.
Avoid overly cheap Minecraft hosting plans
There are many hosting companies offering lower rates than recommended here. However, I urge you to exercise caution when considering including these plans. Many of these plans often offer substandard services and can cut back on areas that will ultimately affect your gaming experience
Ranked as: The 5 Best Minecraft Server Hosting 2021
1. Hostinger
https://www.hostinger.com/
RAM
2GB
Number of players
70
Price (USD)
$ 8.95 / month
Key features
99.9% uptime
DDoS protection
Direct installation
Multicraft panel
Dual CPU
"Hostinger has successfully completed harnessed the power of web servers for gaming. "
VISIT HOSTINGER
Hostinger is our top choice as a Minecraft hosting provider for a number of reasons. The first and foremost is that it is extremely rare to find a host that offers plans built specifically for Minecraft hosting.
Their Minecraft hosting plans are built on VPS servers, which means you get the special resources necessary to host Minecraft. Their plan structure is also built around the concept, offering a minimum of 2 GB of memory, near-instant Minecraft server setup, and tech support that can help if you get stuck.
Set up your Minecraft server with Hostinger
Watch the video below and see how we set up the servers.
2. Shockbyte
https://shockbyte.com/
RAM
1GB
Number of players
20
Price (USD)
$ 2.50 / month
Key features
100% uptime
DDoS protection
Instant installation
Multicraft panel
Unlimited SSD
"Shockbyte has made gaming big business, enabling power and scalability. "
VISIT SHOCKBYTE
Shockbyte is an Australian registered company specializing in game server rental. Their main areas of focus are Minecraft, ARK: Survival Evolved, and Rust - with plans to support more titles.
Their plans are very focused and you can choose one that suits your needs very directly. Their experience with Minecraft allows them to make some great suggestions, and this is a good place for specialized Minecraft hosting.
3. BisectHosting
https://www.bisecthosting.com/
RAM
1GB
Number of players
12
Price (USD)
$ 2.99 / month
Main features
Daily backup
DDoS protection
Direct installation
Multicraft Panel
SSD servers
"To keep it simple , BisectHosting supports Minecraft Java and Bedrock. "
VISIT BISECTHOSTING
BisectHosting is another popular name in Minecraft hosting, although it offers almost all other web related services. Due to the scope of their hosting plans, Bisect is more streamlined when it comes to Minecraft and supports the Java version or Bedrock.
A strong distinguishing feature is that all of Bisect's Minecraft hosting plans have unlimited SSD storage, even on their cheapest plan. Of course, this is subject to their fair use policy, which means you can use it but not take advantage of it.
4. GGServers
https://ggservers.com/
RAM
1GB
Number of Players
12
Price (USD)
$ 3.00 / month
Key Features
Direct Install
DDoS Protection
Multicraft Panel
1 Click Installer
Unmetered SSD
"Bring Minecraft Hosting to Next level on GGServers with 1-click modpack install. "
VISIT GGSERVERS
GGServers is a Canadian web hosting company that offers web hosting, but also specializes in game servers. They have servers for a variety of games, including Minecraft, and have deployed over half a million of these to date.
They offer high-end specifications on their game servers and have a good spread of nine data center locations around the world to choose from. Plans vary depending on the resources provided and start at a standard 1GB RAM that supports slots for 12 players.
5. Apex Hosting
https://apexminecrafthosting.com/
RAM
1GB
Number of Players
12
Price (USD)
$ 3.99 / month
Key Features
99.9% Uptime
Instant Install
DDoS Protection
Multicraft Panel
1 Click Installer
"Don't Get only the hardware for Minecraft, but also the support you need to set up your server. "
VISIT APEX
Apex Hosting is only focused on Minecraft and they offer 15 locations for servers worldwide with more to come. Their plans start small with a standard 1 GB RAM, but all plans come with a custom subdomain.
Their fame lies in its extensive support for Minecraft, with an easy-to-use control panel, video tutorials and the ability to get Minecraft servers up and running in just five minutes. Assistance is also available through live chat and a ticket system.
Conclusion: For diehard Minecraft fans
RAM
NO. FROM
THE PLAYERS
PRICE (USD / MO)
2GB
70
$ 8.95
VISIT HOST
1GB
20
$ 2.50
VISIT HOST
1GB
12
$ 2.99
VISIT HOST
As you can probably tell by now, hosting a Minecraft server doesn't have to be very complex. In fact, the great thing about it is that since you are in control, you can decide exactly how complex you want your Minecraft world to be.
Whether that means a massive server supporting thousands of players or a simple server that friends can communicate with, the final decision is yours. Cost is also not necessarily a factor, as you can see, as there are many ways you can potentially recoup your costs.
Ultimately, hosting your own Minecraft server is a labor of love - and for diehard fans of the game, definitely something to consider. If you're still on the brink of deciding if this is right for you, talk to the folks at Hostinger (who offer real Minecraft hosting plans and support) to see if they can advise you anyway.
Minecraft Server Hosting: Frequently Asked Question
1. Is Minecraft Free?
No, Minecraft is a licensed game that is now owned by Microsoft. There are several versions of it intended for different platforms, but the costs vary. For example, standard Minecraft for the Windows platform costs $ 29.99, while the PS4 version costs $ 19.99.
2. Is hosting a Minecraft server free?
No, hosting costs money because it involves expensive infrastructure and equipment. If you host online with a web hosting company, these costs can be shared and you will pay a more reasonable monthly fee depending on your requirements.
3. How much RAM do I need for the Minecraft server?
As with all applications, the higher the number of players on the server, the more RAM it will need to support them. For a basic configuration with up to 10 players, a minimum of 1GB on a web server is recommended. More likely gives you a much smoother gameplay experience.
4. What is the best Minecraft server hosting service?
Without a doubt, Hostinger is currently leading this list. It offers specially developed Minecraft plans for those who want to host their own plans and has the support staff needed to advise you on everything from selection to installation.
5. What's the Best Free Minecraft Server Host?
Free hosting is usually not recommended and will likely be even less feasible for more demanding tasks such as Minecraft hosting. Ideally, you would consider a VPS hosting plan to take advantage of the dedicated resources available for those plans.
No comments: