Minecraft Server Hosting Tools, Compared
There's no single best tool for self-hosting a Minecraft server, the right one depends on what you're trying to do. This page is an honest look at the popular options, both the apps that run your server and the services that get players connected to it. We've tried to be fair, including where our own tools fall short.
Server management tools
These are the apps and panels that actually run your Minecraft server, starting and stopping it, managing mods and plugins, watching for crashes, and so on. Each is graded on the same ten criteria so the comparison is even.
| Tool | Platforms | Cost | Open source | Multi-game | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC Server Manager our app | Windows | Free Lite, £1.99 Standard | No | No | All-in-one Windows hosting |
| Pterodactyl Panel | Linux | Free | Yes (MIT) | Yes | Hosting providers |
| AMP (CubeCoders) | Win, Linux | $10 to $40+ one-time | No | Yes | Multi-game admins |
| Crafty Controller | Win, Mac, Linux | Free | Yes (GPL v3) | No | Free cross-platform panel |
| MCServerSoft | Windows | Free | No | No | Lightweight Win wrapper |
| MineOS | Linux, BSD | Free | Yes (GPL v3) | No | Linux purists |
| PufferPanel | Linux | Free | Yes | Yes | Lighter Pterodactyl alternative |
MC Server Manager
Our appThe app this site is about. A native Windows app (not a browser wrapper), so it stays light enough to host and play on the same PC, and it minimises to the tray while your server runs. Covers Java, Paper, Spigot, Forge, Fabric, NeoForge, Bedrock and Velocity/BungeeCord proxy networks in a single install, with a remote web dashboard for on-the-go control and optional cloud hosting on the same account. Local hosting works fully offline, the online features (dashboard, relay, cloud) are optional extras, not dependencies.
- Free tier (Lite edition)
- Open source
- Cross-platform (Windows only)
- No command line setup
- Built-in mod/plugin browser (CurseForge and Modrinth)
- Auto port forwarding (UPnP) and built-in tunnel
- Multi-user web dashboard with role-based access
- Built-in Discord notifications
- Crash auto-fixer with mod analysis
- Multi-game support (Minecraft only)
- Modpack builder with a one-click installer for your players
- Managed cloud hosting from the same maker
Best for: Anyone hosting from a Windows PC, from a first server through to modded proxy networks, no Linux, no Docker, no terminal.
Trade-offs: Closed source, Windows only for now, much smaller community than Pterodactyl or Crafty.
Pterodactyl Panel
The industry standard among hosting providers. Uses Docker to isolate each game server with its own resource limits. Capable and extensible but takes real Linux experience to set up.
- Free tier (free overall)
- Open source (MIT)
- Cross-platform (Linux only)
- No command line setup (Docker, MySQL, PHP install)
- Built-in mod/plugin browser (manual via Eggs)
- Auto port forwarding or built-in tunnel
- Multi-user with role-based access
- Built-in Discord notifications (plugins required)
- Crash auto-recovery (configurable)
- Multi-game (community Eggs cover hundreds)
- Modpack builder with a client installer for players
- Managed cloud hosting from the same maker
Best for: Hosting providers and experienced Linux administrators who run multiple servers and want serious control.
Trade-offs: Steep setup curve, no native networking help, mod and plugin management is roll-your-own.
AMP (CubeCoders)
A polished commercial panel from CubeCoders. Web UI installer, hundreds of supported games, Modrinth and Hangar integration. Costs money, but pricing is one-time, not subscription.
- Free tier (paid only)
- Open source
- Cross-platform (Windows and Linux)
- No command line setup (web installer)
- Built-in mod/plugin browser (Modrinth and Hangar)
- Auto port forwarding or built-in tunnel
- Multi-user (with limits on lower tiers)
- Built-in Discord notifications (Professional+)
- Crash auto-recovery
- Multi-game (hundreds)
- Modpack builder with a client installer for players (server-side modpack installs yes, player installer no)
- Managed cloud hosting from the same maker
Best for: People running multiple game servers at once who want a polished, well-supported commercial product.
Trade-offs: Paid, lower tiers cap users and instances, networking is still on you.
Crafty Controller
A free open-source Minecraft panel with a clean web UI. Cross-platform, supports Java and Bedrock, has a companion mobile app. Setup is a step up from a desktop installer though.
- Free tier (free overall)
- Open source (GPL v3)
- Cross-platform (Win, Mac, Linux)
- No command line setup (Docker compose or Python)
- Built-in mod/plugin browser
- Auto port forwarding or built-in tunnel
- Multi-user with role-based access
- Built-in Discord, Slack and Teams webhooks
- Crash auto-restart
- Multi-game support (Minecraft focused)
- Modpack builder with a client installer for players
- Managed cloud hosting from the same maker
Best for: Users who want a free, cross-platform, open-source web panel and don't mind a little terminal work to set it up.
Trade-offs: Setup needs Docker or Python, no built-in mod browser, networking still manual.
MCServerSoft
A free Windows wrapper around the Minecraft server console. Lightweight, focused on the basics: import a server, install Forge or Fabric, schedule restarts.
- Free tier (free overall)
- Open source
- Cross-platform (Windows only)
- No command line setup
- Built-in mod/plugin browser
- Auto port forwarding or built-in tunnel
- Multi-user with role-based access
- Built-in Discord notifications
- Crash auto-recovery
- Multi-game support
- Modpack builder with a client installer for players
- Managed cloud hosting from the same maker
Best for: Windows users who want a small, free wrapper for one Minecraft server and not much beyond that.
Trade-offs: Stops at the basics, no mod browser, no networking help, no notifications.
MineOS
A long-running open source Minecraft front-end. Available as a Debian-based ISO or installed onto an existing Linux system. Mature project, more old-school in feel.
- Free tier (free overall)
- Open source (GPL v3)
- Cross-platform (Linux/BSD only)
- No command line setup (Linux install needed)
- Built-in mod/plugin browser (Modrinth modpacks only)
- Auto port forwarding or built-in tunnel
- Multi-user with role-based access (system users)
- Built-in Discord notifications
- Crash auto-recovery (basic)
- Multi-game support
- Modpack builder with a client installer for players (server-side Modrinth packs only)
- Managed cloud hosting from the same maker
Best for: Linux enthusiasts who want a dedicated, bare-metal Minecraft server box.
Trade-offs: Linux only, auth tied to system users, mod tooling is limited to Modrinth modpacks.
PufferPanel
A lighter open-source alternative to Pterodactyl. Supports Minecraft, Forge, NeoForge, Sponge, BungeeCord and other game servers. Smaller community, simpler setup than Pterodactyl.
- Free tier (free overall)
- Open source
- Cross-platform (Linux first)
- No command line setup
- Built-in mod/plugin browser
- Auto port forwarding or built-in tunnel
- Multi-user with role-based access
- Built-in Discord notifications (plugins required)
- Crash auto-recovery
- Multi-game
- Modpack builder with a client installer for players
- Managed cloud hosting from the same maker
Best for: Small teams who want a lighter, simpler take on Pterodactyl.
Trade-offs: Smaller community than Pterodactyl, technical Windows setup, no mod browser.
Sharing your server with players
Once your server is running, players still need a way to actually connect. These are the popular options for getting traffic from outside your home into your server, from manual router setup to hosted relays. Same fairness rule, every tool graded on the same ten criteria.
| Tool | Cost | Custom address | Works on CGNAT | Bedrock | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relay Pro our service | From £2.00/mo | Included at base | Yes | Native | Custom address, no router setup |
| playit.gg | Free / paid | Paid only | Yes | Yes | Free tunnel for casual servers |
| ngrok | Free / paid | Paid only | Yes | Extra setup | Developers who already use it |
| Hamachi / Radmin VPN | Free for personal | No, internal IP | Yes | Yes | Tiny friend groups |
| Manual port forwarding | Free | No, raw IP | No | Yes | Static IP, no CGNAT, willing to configure router |
Relay Pro
Our serviceThe relay we built for MC Server Manager. Gives your server a custom address like survival.play.mcservermanager.com with no port forwarding required, supports Java and Bedrock natively, and includes 1GB of cloud storage for world backups and hosted modpacks. Newer than playit so smaller geographic footprint, paid only.
- Free tier (paid only)
- Custom address at base price
- Stable address (doesn't change)
- Java and Bedrock both native
- No setup required for players
- Hides your real IP
- Works on CGNAT
- Direct connection (uses a relay)
- Wide regional coverage (EU and AU only, US planned)
- Easy setup (one-click pack with start scripts)
Best for: Anyone who wants a custom address and a connection that just works without touching their router, especially on CGNAT.
Trade-offs: No free tier, only two regions today, smaller and newer than playit.
playit.gg
The most widely used relay in the Minecraft community. Generous free tier, long track record, many regions worldwide. Custom subdomains and other niceties are paid features.
- Free tier
- Custom address at base price (paid only)
- Stable address
- Java and Bedrock both native
- No setup required for players
- Hides your real IP
- Works on CGNAT
- Direct connection (uses a relay)
- Wide regional coverage
- Easy setup (installer client)
Best for: Players who want a free option and don't mind a generic shared subdomain.
Trade-offs: Custom names paid only, free addresses include playit.gg branding, separate client app to install and sign into.
ngrok
A general-purpose tunneling service mainly built for web developers. Can carry Minecraft Java traffic, but Bedrock and custom domains take extra work and a paid tier.
- Free tier
- Custom address at base price (paid tier)
- Stable address (free tier rotates on restart)
- Java and Bedrock both native (Bedrock UDP needs config)
- No setup required for players
- Hides your real IP
- Works on CGNAT
- Direct connection (uses a relay)
- Wide regional coverage
- Easy setup (CLI and auth token)
Best for: Developers who already use ngrok for other things and want one tool for everything.
Trade-offs: Built for web, not gaming. Free tier address changes every restart, Bedrock takes extra config, setup is technical.
Hamachi / Radmin VPN
The old-school approach. Every player installs the same VPN client and joins your virtual network, then connects by your VPN IP. Works, but everyone has to set it up themselves.
- Free tier (personal use)
- Custom address at base price (just an internal IP)
- Stable address (within the VPN)
- Java and Bedrock both work over the VPN
- No setup required for players (every player installs the VPN)
- Hides your real IP
- Works on CGNAT
- Direct connection (VPN routing)
- Wide regional coverage
- Easy setup (every player has to install and join)
Best for: Tiny groups of friends who are all comfortable installing VPN software.
Trade-offs: Every player must install the VPN, no public address, free tiers cap network size, not realistic for public servers.
Manual port forwarding
The original way. Open a port on your router and share your public IP. Works perfectly when your ISP allows it, doesn't work at all on CGNAT (most modern home internet).
- Free tier (free, no third party)
- Custom address at base price (raw IP, DDNS adds cost)
- Stable address (public IP rotates)
- Java and Bedrock both native
- No setup required for players
- Hides your real IP (your IP is the address)
- Works on CGNAT
- Direct connection (no relay, lowest latency)
- Wide regional coverage (n/a, your machine is fixed)
- Easy setup (router config required)
Best for: Anyone with a static IP, a non-CGNAT connection, and the patience to configure their router. Our port forwarding guide walks through it.
Trade-offs: Doesn't work on most modern home internet, exposes your IP, public IP often changes, router config is intimidating.
Renting a server instead
Everything above assumes your own PC runs the server. The other route is paying someone to run it for you, so it's online 24/7 with your machine off. The market splits into three rough camps, plus our own hosting.
MC Server Manager Cloud Hosting
Our serviceEach plan is a whole cloud server dedicated to you, with guaranteed RAM and CPU, full file access and attack filtering built in. Every plan includes the Standard app licence and 4GB of cloud storage for world backups, and it's managed from the same web dashboard as your local servers. Players connect with the server's dedicated IP, a named address like myserver.play.mcservermanager.com is a £1 a month add-on.
Best for: Anyone who wants their server online 24/7 without leaving a PC on, and dedicated resources rather than a shared machine.
Trade-offs: Costs more than a shared slot because you get a whole server, Europe only at launch (Australia and the US are coming), newer than the established hosts.
Free hosts (Aternos and similar)
Genuinely free Minecraft hosting paid for by ads. The trade is that your server sleeps when nobody's on, you can queue at busy times, and performance is what's left over on a heavily shared machine.
Best for: Kids and casual groups with zero budget who don't mind waiting for the server to wake up.
Trade-offs: Queues, sleep-on-idle, limited control and performance. Fine for casual play, frustrating for anything regular.
Budget shared hosting (Apex, Shockbyte and similar)
The classic Minecraft host model: you rent a slot on a machine shared with many other servers, managed through a web panel (usually a Pterodactyl variant). Cheap to start and lots of providers to choose from, but your neighbours on the box affect your performance, and the advertised RAM is the only resource that's really yours.
Best for: Small servers on a tight budget where a few pounds a month matters more than consistent performance.
Trade-offs: Shared CPU means lag when the machine is busy, upsells are common, quality varies a lot between providers.
DIY on a rented VPS
Rent a plain Linux VPS from Hetzner, OVH or similar and set everything up yourself, usually with one of the Linux panels from the first section. The best price for the hardware you get, and total control, but you're the sysadmin now: setup, security, updates, backups, all of it.
Best for: People comfortable with Linux who enjoy running infrastructure and want the most server for their money.
Trade-offs: Everything is on you, including securing the box. A weekend project before the first player joins.
How to pick
A quick guide based on what matters to you most. None of these are wrong answers, just different fits.
You want a server running on your Windows PC, easily, no terminal.
MC Server Manager or MCServerSoft.
You're running many games for a community on a Linux box.
Pterodactyl Panel, or AMP if you'd rather pay for a polished commercial product.
You want a free panel that works on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Crafty Controller.
You need a free way to share your server, and don't mind a generic address.
playit.gg's free tier.
You want a custom address with no router setup, Java and Bedrock both, and you're okay paying for it.
You have a static IP, a non-CGNAT connection, and don't mind configuring your router.
Manual port forwarding works fine and costs nothing. Our guide here.
You run a modded server and you're tired of talking friends through installing the right mods.
The Modpack Builder in MC Server Manager builds your pack and generates a one-click installer you send to players.
You want the server online 24/7 without leaving your PC on.
Cloud Hosting for dedicated resources, a budget shared host if price beats performance, or Aternos if it has to be free and queues are fine.
MC Server Manager and Relay Pro are our own products, so we have an obvious bias. We've tried to flag that openly, grade against the same criteria as everyone else, and keep the trade-offs visible. If you spot anything that's out of date or unfair, tell us and we'll fix it.