--- title: "Minecraft Server Guide: How to Set Up, Host & Customize It" description: Want to play Minecraft on your own server? Set up a Minecraft server on a VPS — covering Java and Bedrock editions, plugins, and performance optimization tips. image: https://blog.ishosting.com/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-guide/minecraft.png --- [VPS](https://ishosting.com/en/vps) [Dedicated hosting](https://ishosting.com/en/dedicated) [VPN](https://ishosting.com/en/vpn) [Storage](https://ishosting.com/en/storage) [About us](https://ishosting.com/en/about) [Client area](https://my.ishosting.com/en/account) [is\*hosting Blog](https://blog.ishosting.com/en) - [News](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/news) - [VPS](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/vps) - [Hosting](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/hosting) - [Technology](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/technology) - [is\*ai](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/isai) - Other - [Marketing](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/marketing) - [Security](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/security) [News](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/news) Categories [Search](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-search-results) Hosting Services [About Us](https://ishosting.com/en/about) [Client Area](https://my.ishosting.com/en/account) [News](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/news) [VPS](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/vps) [Hosting](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/hosting) [Technology](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/technology) [is\*ai](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/isai) [Marketing](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/marketing) [Security](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/security) [VPS](https://ishosting.com/en/vps) [Dedicated hosting](https://ishosting.com/en/dedicated) [VPN](https://ishosting.com/en/vpn) [Storage](https://ishosting.com/en/storage) 1. [Blog](https://blog.ishosting.com/en) 2. [VPS](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/tag/vps) 3. How to set up a private Minecraft server: detailed guide VPS # How to set up a private Minecraft server: detailed guide Want to play Minecraft on your own server? Set up a Minecraft server on a VPS — covering Java and Bedrock editions, plugins, and performance optimization tips. [is\*hosting team](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/author/team-ishosting) 16 Feb 2023 6 min reading ![How to set up a private Minecraft server: detailed guide](https://blog.ishosting.com/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-guide/minecraft.png) Table of Contents - [Choosing a hosting service for Minecraft](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/minecraft-server-guide#choosing-a-hosting-service-for-minecraft) - [Choosing a platform for Minecraft](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/minecraft-server-guide#choosing-a-platform-for-minecraft) - [Setting up an MC server](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/minecraft-server-guide#setting-up-an-mc-server) - [Minecraft server optimization](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/minecraft-server-guide#minecraft-server-optimization) Today, Minecraft is probably the most popular and well-known online game. Its popularity is due not only to the original gameplay, but also the ability to create your own game servers. There are a number of features that must be considered when choosing a VPS or dedicated server for Minecraft. The architecture of Minecraft is based on four elements. A server is a special software for interaction between players via the Internet. The client software is used for connection: it is installed on gamers' computers and, after launching, opens access to the game world. The functionality of the game is expanded with mods and plugins. Mods bring new objects to Minecraft, while plugins complement the servers. For example, they help keep track of cheaters, improve the authorization mechanism, allow you to create custom menus or quickly find unpopulated areas. ## Choosing a hosting service for Minecraft For a comfortable game, you need to choose the right hosting, taking into account the technical MC server requirements, as well as other conditions. ### Technical requirements ![minecraft server requirements](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-guide/minecraft-servers.png?width=1536&height=600&name=minecraft-servers.png) Minecraft is quite demanding to the server configuration, so you cannot choose the first powerful server and enjoy the game. We recommend following these points: - **Cores** Choosing a multi-core processor for Minecraft will not be the right decision, because a Minecraft server core can only use one thread of computation. So, we recommend opting for a more powerful dual-core processor. Two cores are needed to reduce the load from the Java machine and to efficiently use some plugins running in separate threads. In general, a single dual-core CPU with a high clock speed is much better than a multi-core solution with a lower one. It is necessary to take the CPU from 3 GHz. - **RAM** The game needs a lot of RAM and takes into account both the number of players and plugins. Each player requires at least 5-10 MB of allocated memory. Also, keep in mind the RAM consumption for plugins with modifications: the more additional plugins, the greater the load on the server. Thus, for a server with 50 players, you will need at least 4 GB of RAM. It is always reasonable to focus not on the minimum point, but on the maximum as this will help to avoid game slowdowns. - **File system** The performance of the file system is essential. Forget about ordinary hard drives. Low speed typical of such devices causes a lot of problems. Instead of morally and technically obsolete HDDs, you should use SSDs, ideally if the hosting provides NVMe, their latest type. - **Channel bandwidth** The speed of your Internet connection can slow down your game if you choose the wrong configuration. For example, 10 Mb/s is enough for 50 people. If you want to create a larger Minecraft project with a website, a forum for players, and a dynamic map, you should choose a higher bandwidth. ### Minecraft server cost The cost of hosting for a comfortable game of 50 players is on average $40-50 per month. This amount includes a server with a 3-3.5 GHz CPU, 6-8 GB of RAM, and the right SSD. If you increase the monthly cost by another $20-40, you can rent an Intel Xeon-based solution with 8-12 GB of RAM. ### Advantages of VPS from is\*hosting Why do gamers choose servers from is\*hosting? With us, you can rent a server almost anywhere in the world - we've taken care of international infrastructure and work with the best data centers.![ishosting](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-guide/medal2.png?width=121&height=120&name=medal2.png)![ishosting](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-guide/medal1.png?width=119&height=120&name=medal1.png) is\*hosting server equipment belongs to the HI-END class and is highly reliable, which guarantees peace of mind and security to our customers. The loyalty of our clients is confirmed by positive feedback. You can learn more about our [dedicated servers](https://ishosting.com/en/dedicated) and [VPS](https://ishosting.com/en/vps) with the option to add additional services before renting on the is\*hosting site. If you still have any doubts about the configuration or you haven't found the right server for you, you can always contact our technical support. The is\*hosting specialists will be glad to consult you and create an individual offer according to your needs. ## Choosing a platform for Minecraft As for platforms, the choice is quite extensive, but most servers today run one of three options: Vanilla, Paper, or a mod loader such as Fabric or NeoForge. ![vanilla](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-guide/vanilla.png?width=768&height=300&name=vanilla.png) Software for **Vanilla** is produced and supported by the game developers. As soon as the next version of [Minecraft](https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download) is released, the official server is updated. Many server owners criticize Vanilla for being "voracious" as it requires a lot of RAM. For a comfortable game, one user needs up to 50 MB. It's not much by today's standards, but imagine how much space is needed to ensure the stability of the interaction of thousands of players. In addition, the platform does not support plugins. So, the significant advantages of Vanilla are official support and earlier access to game updates. Extended functionality of the updated server becomes available immediately and contains a minimum of bugs, as it is pre-tested. If you need plugins, the standard choice is **Paper**. It's a performance-focused fork of Spigot, which in turn grew out of Bukkit, so Paper runs plugins written for the Bukkit and Spigot APIs. Experimental Paper builds for a new Minecraft version appear soon after the official release; stable builds can take a few weeks. You can download it from [papermc.io](https://papermc.io/downloads/paper). If you want mods that add new blocks, items, or mechanics, use a mod loader. **[Fabric](https://fabricmc.net/use/server/)** is lightweight and quickly supports new Minecraft versions. **[NeoForge](https://neoforged.net/)**, a fork of Forge, is home to many large content mods. Mods must match both the loader and the Minecraft version, and players usually need the same mods installed on their clients. Older guides often recommend Bukkit and Spout, but both projects are no longer developed: Bukkit's code was last updated in 2014 and Spout's in 2013, and neither runs current versions of Minecraft. ## Setting up an MC server ### Sign up and buy a VPS on is\*hosting The easiest way to rent a VPS is to sign up on the is\*hosting website and choose the server configuration. We recommend deciding in advance on a pricing plan and location because your work efficiency will depend on them. Here are simple steps to buy a virtual private server: 1. Choosing a location 2. Choosing a plan 3. Setting up a plan 4. Order confirmation 5. Payment for order We have described the details of each step in [this article.](https://help.ishosting.com/en/vps-order) ### How to host an MC server ![how to host a minecraft server](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-guide/minecraft-server.png?width=1536&height=600&name=minecraft-server.png) There are two ways to install a Minecraft server on a hosting: using the FileZilla SFTP client or using the Putty SSH client. #### Installation using the FileZilla SFTP client SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) works over SSH on port 22, so you don't need to set up a separate FTP server. You can use any SFTP client, such as [FileZilla](https://filezilla-project.org/), to connect to your server. First, you need to run the SFTP client and fill out the connection data for your server. We described this process and the file uploading in detail in [this article](https://help.ishosting.com/en/working-with-files-via-sftp). Create a separate folder for the game server (for example, minecraft in your home directory) and upload server.jar into it. Don't delete other files on the server: the operating system and your other data live there. SFTP only transfers files, so to install Java and start the server, connect via SSH and follow the steps below. If you uploaded server.jar over SFTP, run cd minecraft instead of creating the folder and skip the wget step. #### Installation using the Putty SSH client When connecting the server via SSH on Windows operating systems, you need to install additional software. We recommend using the PuTTY. You can download it for free from the [official site](https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html). In the case of Linux/MacOS, the built-in utility called Terminal is used. We have described a guide on how to connect to the server via SSH in [this article](https://help.ishosting.com/en/ssh-key-authorization). First, install Java 25, which current versions of Minecraft (26.1 and later) require (command: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install openjdk-25-jre-headless). Versions 1.20.5–1.21.11 run on Java 21. Then install the Screen utility (command: sudo apt-get install screen). Then you need to set the directory for installation (two consecutive commands: mkdir minecraft and cd minecraft). To download the game server files, you must install the wget console program (command: sudo apt-get install wget). Now download the server file (command: wget https://piston-data.mojang.com/v1/objects/33680f5f2ac32864d6d7cf5e56a705fdb3e05f4c/server.jar). This link is for Minecraft 26.3. When a newer version comes out, copy the server.jar link from the [official Minecraft website](https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/server). So, the server is loaded. Now you have to accept the license agreement (command: echo "eula=true" \> eula.txt). You can configure your server in the settings file (command: nano server.properties). If you get an error after this command, use the sudo apt-get install nano command and repeat the previous one. If the file doesn't exist yet, nano creates it, and the server adds the remaining default settings on the first start. Keep online-mode=true: the server then checks every player against Minecraft's account servers. With online-mode=false, anyone can join under any nickname, including yours or an operator's. You can close the file by pressing Ctrl + X → Y → Enter. Using the Screen program, start the server (command: screen -S minecraft java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar server.jar nogui). -Xmx4G lets the server use up to 4 GB of RAM, as recommended above for 50 players. Keep this value 1–2 GB below the VPS's total RAM to leave memory for the operating system (for example, use a VPS with 6 GB or more for -Xmx4G). The server will continue to run after closing, as it is open in Screen mode - use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A → D. Starting with Minecraft 26.3, the whitelist is on by default (white-list=true), so only players you add can join. Return to the server console with screen -r minecraft and add each player, including yourself, withwhitelist add NICKNAME, then detach again with Ctrl + A → D. This completes the configuration and you can enjoy the game with friends. ## Minecraft server optimization ![minecraft server optimization](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-guide/minecraft-settings.png?width=1536&height=600&name=minecraft-settings.png) Setting up the server on which the game platform will be installed should come first. This will require skills in system administration, or you can get this service from a hosting company. Many hosts will gladly help with the configuration, and often for free. When the Minecraft server platform is installed and running, you will have to constantly monitor your RAM usage by analyzing how much the server and plugins consume. Plugins are responsible for a large share of RAM problems. New versions fix critical development bugs. This reduces the load on memory, so do not forget about updates. Try to use extensions with broad functionality that combine the capabilities of other software modules. Drops can be automatically removed, and anti-cheat software connected to a given Minecraft server can be discarded if they are not important to you. The load on the server will be significantly reduced. ###### VPS Choose the suitable configuration and enjoy all the benefits of a virtual private server. [From $5.94/mo](https://ishosting.com/en/vps) ###### Dedicated Server ​​Smooth operation, high performance, and user-friendly setup. [Choose server](https://ishosting.com/en/dedicated) Table of Contents - [Choosing a hosting service for Minecraft](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/minecraft-server-guide#choosing-a-hosting-service-for-minecraft) - [Choosing a platform for Minecraft](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/minecraft-server-guide#choosing-a-platform-for-minecraft) - [Setting up an MC server](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/minecraft-server-guide#setting-up-an-mc-server) - [Minecraft server optimization](https://blog.ishosting.com/en/minecraft-server-guide#minecraft-server-optimization) ## Related articles ![Minecraft Server Optimization: Essential Techniques for a Smoother Experience](https://blog.ishosting.com/hubfs/blog/minecraft-server-optimization/minecraft-server-optimization.png) Hosting ### Minecraft Server Optimization: Essential Techniques for a Smoother Experience Learn how to optimize Minecraft settings, choose the right JVM flags, add performance plugins, and pick the right VPS... 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Alex I. 20 Mar 2026 9 min reading ## Subscribe to Newsletter The latest news, profitable discounts, and informative articles - subscribe to the is\*hosting blog and be the first to receive a useful newsletter. - **Services** Services - [Virtual Private Servers](https://ishosting.com/en/vps) - [Dedicated Servers](https://ishosting.com/en/dedicated) - [Storage](https://ishosting.com/en/storage) - [VPN](https://ishosting.com/en/vpn) - [Special Offers](https://ishosting.com/en/special-offers) - --- - **Company** Company - [About Us](https://ishosting.com/en/about) - [Data Centers](https://ishosting.com/en/datacenters) - [Blog](https://blog.ishosting.com/en) - [Contacts](https://ishosting.com/en/about#offices) - --- - **Information** Information - [Knowledge Base](https://help.ishosting.com/en) - [Support](https://ishosting.com/en/support) - [Payments Methods](https://ishosting.com/en/payment-methods) - --- - **Account** Account - [Create Account](https://my.ishosting.com/en/register) --- © 2026 WEBRAIN OÜ, Harju maakond, Tallinn, Kesklinna linnaosa, Endla tn 4, 10142 - [![](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/ishosting-theme/images/rating-sm.png?width=328&height=70&name=rating-sm.png) ![](https://blog.ishosting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/ishosting-theme/images/rating.png?width=421&height=70&name=rating.png)](https://hostadvice.com/hosting-company/ishosting-reviews/#main-info) --- - [Terms of Use](https://ishosting.com/en/terms-of-use) - [Privacy Policy](https://ishosting.com/en/privacy-policy) - [KYC Policy](https://ishosting.com/en/kyc-policy) - [SLA](https://ishosting.com/en/service-level-agreement) - [AUP](https://ishosting.com/en/acceptable-use-policy) - en - [en](https://blog.ishosting.com/en) - [ru](https://blog.ishosting.com/ru/minecraft-server-guide) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "abstract" : "Want to play Minecraft on your own server? 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