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Set up your first server step by step

To get started together, you need a hosting account and the matching Minecraft edition on your device. Choose server software for your playstyle. An existing Java modpack installation must match the version your friends use on their devices.

  1. Open the free Minecraft configurator and choose Java, Java-Modded or Bedrock. A mixed Java and Bedrock group needs supported Paper with Geyser/Floodgate rather than a Java modpack requiring client mods.

  2. Select the server version, software and desired address. Before finishing, check that the free tier is selected. Starting on the free tier requires no payment details.

  3. Wait until the server is ready and open the connection details in the panel. Setup can take longer depending on software and load; completing an order does not itself mean the server is ready.

  4. Enter the address in Minecraft; for Bedrock, include the displayed port. Test your own connection first and then a friend’s. Add further plugins or mods after this basic test.

Starting free: resources, breaks and backups

The free tier includes 2 GB RAM and requires no payment details. Suitable player counts and mods depend on the world, view distance, plugins and load. Test your actual gameplay; a RAM figure alone is not a performance guarantee.

Free servers sleep after 15 minutes without players. Load and queueing can delay waking. First setup and waking are different operations: the product facts report separate measurements, sample sizes and limitations. Allow another connection attempt after startup if your first attempt arrived while the server was still waking.

Before a longer break, read the current inactivity and retention rules. A sleeping server is not an indefinitely retained backup. Manual backups and daily schedules are included within the free tier limits. Enable the schedule you want and check the latest successful backup before relying on it.

More RAM or continuous runtime are reasons to consider a paid option. Check the actual selected configuration and final price in the configurator. Also compare runtime, renewal and included features; a price for a different RAM amount is not the price of your selection.

Current mcfreehost plan limits, retention rules and measured start times

Start with the configuration your group needs

First choose your Minecraft edition and required server software. Then test joining and your world before adding more plugins or mods. This makes it easier to identify which change caused a problem.

Choose a Minecraft edition and configure it for free

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