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You want to create your own Minecraft server, but don't know where to start? No problem. Whether you just want to build in peace with friends or plan a large mod world - you'll find everything you need to know here. Without technical jargon. Without marketing blah-blah. Just what really counts.
Why have your own server at all?
Sure, there are public servers. But there you have no influence on rules, mods or who plays. Having your own server means: full control. You decide whether PvP is allowed, how many players take part, which plugins are running and whether cheating is allowed or not.
Whether for a small creative project or a survival server with a community - a dedicated server is often the better choice.
Create a Minecraft server: The three ways
There are three ways in which you can set up your server:
- Free of charge via third-party providers (e.g. Aternos)
- Host it yourself at home
- Renting from a provider
Each option has advantages and disadvantages. It depends on what you need and what you can do without.
Free is not always good
Yes, you can create a minecraft server for free. Providers like Aternos or Minehut make it easy - no setup, no costs.
But: The servers fall asleep when nobody is playing. You have limited performance. Mods or plugins? Only to a limited extent. And you have to live with advertising. That's okay for spontaneous rounds with friends. Not so much for longer games.
The happy medium: rent a server
If you don't want any technical hassle, but want more than a free server, then renting is the best solution.
At minecraft server hosting you get exactly that: a stable server with good performance that you can set up quickly. RAM, slots, mod support - everything is selectable. No port forwarding, no configuration hell.
So you can get started straight away - alone or with friends. And if something doesn't work, the support team will help you.
Or do it yourself: host a server at home
You can also use your own PC to run the server. That means:
- You download the server files from Mojang or Spigot
- Set everything via config files
- Open ports on the router
- Keep your computer online
This is the tinker variant. No running costs, but also no security if something crashes. You have to take care of backups, updates and security yourself.
It's only worth it if you're really into technology and know what you're doing.
minecraft server rental comparison - what you should look out for
If you decide to rent, take a close look at the providers. Not everyone delivers what they promise. Here is a brief overview of what is important:
Important points in the comparison:
- RAM: The more mods and players, the more RAM you need. 2 GB is the minimum, 4-8 GB is better.
- Slots10 slots are sufficient for small groups. For larger communities, 20+ is better.
- Mod/plugin supportNot every provider allows Forge, Fabric or Bukkit.
- BackupsAutomatic backups are worth their weight in gold.
- Location of the serverFor German players → Select server in Europe.
- Support: If something goes wrong, you don't want to wait 3 days for help.
A good provider will show you all this transparently. Prices from around €4-10/month are realistic for solid performance.
Step-by-step: How to set up your server
Whether rented or self-hosted - the basic principle is similar. Here is a quick schedule:
- Choose the Minecraft version (Vanilla, Paper, Spigot, Forge...)
- Download the appropriate server file
- Create a folder and put the file there
- Start the server once so that the configs are generated
- Yoke server.properties on - World name, gamemode, PvP etc.
- Activate whitelist? Decide who can join
- Install mods or pluginsif desired
- Share IP address or set up domain
- Done - you're ready to go
Renting eliminates many of these steps - it's quicker.
Host your own Minecraft server: advantages and disadvantages
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
| No monthly costs | High power consumption |
| Full control | Complicated setup |
| Learning by trial and error | Internet connection must be stable |
| No third-party providers | Your IP is publicly visible |
If you have a lot of time and like crafting, this is something for you. Not for everyday use.
Why plugins and mods are important
Vanilla is nice. But it only gets really exciting with mods and plugins. New biomes, economic systems, teleport, admin tools - things often don't last long without them.
So make sure that your provider supports this - or you'll have to do it yourself.
Conclusion: What's best for you?
It depends. Really.
If you're just building with friends, try a free provider first.
If you're not interested in technology and just want everything to work: Rent a server. For example via Godlike.host. You can get started right away without any headaches.
Do you want to do everything yourself, have an old PC and are tech-savvy? Then host it yourself - but be honest with yourself about whether it's worth the effort.
Still unsure? Ask the community
If you still don't know which way is best for you, check out Reddit. In this thread, people honestly discuss which providers are good and where there are problems: Buy German Minecraft servers You'll find opinions, not advertising copy.In short: Creating a Minecraft server is not rocket science. The choice is yours - free, homemade or rented. The only important thing is that it suits you.
