Minecraft server hosting for a group of friends
A friends server is empty most of the day. Pay for the hours you play, not the ones you do not: a free server that sleeps, a $2 Lite server that waits 15 minutes, or an always-on server when you want it up for good.
Which one
| Your group | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 5 friends, vanilla or a few plugins, evenings | Free | 2 GB is enough and nobody minds a 20-second wake. |
| Up to 20 friends, backups matter, a stream now and then | Lite, $2 | Same world, 15 minutes before sleeping, automatic backups. |
| A modpack, or a server that should be up when anyone looks | Always-on | 4 GB $5.50, 6 GB $7.50, 8 GB $9.50; sleep when empty is optional. |
What every option includes
- The Friends survival preset at creation: normal difficulty, the right slots, sleep when empty.
- A join page to share: address, online status, a wake button for a sleeping server.
- Login protection for friends without a Microsoft account, with online mode kept on.
- Plugins and mods from the panel, backups, a live console, the crash doctor.
Inviting people
Send the join page link or the address. On Java: Multiplayer, Add Server, paste. Phones and consoles join a Java server once crossplay is on; see Bedrock crossplay. Only your names inside: the whitelist.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Minecraft server for friends cost?
Free for up to five friends on a 2 GB sleeping server; $2 a month for Lite with 20 slots and backups; from $5.50 a month for a 4 GB always-on server. Every gigabyte of RAM is a dollar a month.
Does a sleeping server lose anything?
No. The world is saved before it sleeps and everything is exactly as it was on the next join. The first join after sleep waits 20 to 60 seconds while it boots.
Can we play a modpack?
Yes, on an always-on server with enough RAM: 6 GB for most packs, 8 or more for the big ones. The 7-day trial gives 8 GB with any pack, no card.
Can a friend without a Microsoft account join?
Yes, with login protection: online mode stays on and they register a password at the door. Nobody can impersonate anyone.