Choosing a Minecraft server host: the right criteria
RAM, CPU, location, DDoS protection, backups, support: what to check before renting a Minecraft server, depending on your project.
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The host makes up a large part of your players' experience: a server that lags or goes down drives them away. Here are the criteria to check before choosing.
Memory (RAM)
It is the first figure shown, but more is not always better. Rough guide:
- 2 to 4 GB: a small Survival server or one for friends (up to about twenty players);
- 4 to 8 GB: a public server with plugins and a few dozen players;
- 8 GB and more: heavy modpacks, large worlds, or several servers behind a proxy.
The CPU
Minecraft mostly uses a single core to run the world. A recent CPU with a high clock speed matters more than a large number of cores. Be wary of offers that say nothing about the CPU used.
Location
For players in France, choose a server located in France or Western Europe: latency (“ping”) will be low. A server on the other side of the world is noticeable in combat.
DDoS protection
Public servers are regularly targeted by attacks that make them unreachable. DDoS protection designed for games is essential as soon as your server gets known.
The panel and file access
A good panel lets you install Paper, Fabric or Forge in one click, see the console, manage files over SFTP, schedule restarts and open extra ports (needed for NuVotifier).
Backups
Check that automatic backups are included, how often, and that they are easy to restore. Make your own too: a lost world is a lost community.
Support
Support that answers quickly, even in the evening or at weekends (the hours your players are online), is often worth more than saving a few euros.
Price and commitment
Start small, with a no-commitment plan you can upgrade. Be wary of “unlimited” offers: real resources are always limited somewhere. Read reviews from other owners before committing for a year.
What about hosting at home?
It works for testing or playing with friends, but quickly hits limits for a public server: PC always on, often weak upload speed, a port to open on your router and your personal IP address exposed to attacks.
Is your server ready? List it for free on CraftRank, then read our tips to attract players.