Hostinger (opens a new tab) is a top choice because it offers a dedicated Minecraft server hosting service. Hostinger is rare to offer this feature. It is also very easy to set up. You can use the Game Panel feature to set up a server in just a few minutes, or else manually create an environment with Ubuntu 18, Centos 7, or Debian 9 (all Linux distributions compatible with Minecraft).
Hostinger's Minecraft hosting services are VPS hosting (opens new tab). This means that you have a dedicated amount of storage, bandwidth and RAM that is yours and only yours (compared to shared hosting which can be more expensive but less reliable and less performant). It is also cloud-based with versioning support. You can restore files or Minecraft environments from snapshots in order to recover them in the event of a server failure.
Finally, Hostinger supports a huge number of Minecraft server types, including Official, Spigot, Purpur, Forge, Cauldron, Tekkit, and Feed the Beast, with a wide range of plans starting from $8.95 a month for 2GB RAM and two CPUs and up to $77.99 a month for 16GB and eight CPUs.
You can read our complete Hostinger review (opens a new tab)
2. Shockbyte
Shockbyte (opens a new tab) is another popular Minecraft or gaming server that offers a lot, including an impressive 100% uptime record. It comes with instant setup but also offers a $15 server administration option where a Shockbyte employee can set up your server with all of the mods and jars you need. A subdomain is also included, which allows you to create a custom IP.
Plans are flexible and affordable, starting at $2.50 per mo for 1GB RAM. Servers have a maximum number of slots, but there is no limit. All plans include unlimited slots. You can upgrade and downgrade freely between plans as needed, and you're only billed for the days you use each plan, not the whole month-so it's easy to scale up for special events.
You can also set up your own plan, with 64GB RAM, a dedicated Internet IP and a preferred location.
Our full Shockbyte review is available (opens in a new tab).
3. ScalaCube
ScalaCube (opens in new tab) is a hosting service that focuses on game hosting, including Minecraft, Minecraft: PE, Rust, Hytale, ARK, and Valheim. It is a great choice to host multiple games.
ScalaCube offers unlimited traffic without throttling so that you don't have to worry about your Minecraft server slowing because of the amount of users who have connected to it. All plans include full file and mod access, plugin/mod support, modpack supports, custom JAR, launcher, website and forum hosting, instant setups, a MySQL database, and free file access.
ScalaCube is one of few Minecraft server providers that offers a free plan. It includes 3GB of RAM, two 3.4GHz CPUs and 30GB SSD storage. There is also space for one server. This makes it a great choice for beginners who want to learn the ropes of building a Minecraft server without committing to a subscription or spending any money.
Apart from that, there are nine paid levels, which include 770MB RAM and a 3.4GHz CPU, 10GB of storage at $5 per month up to 32GB RAM with eight 3.4GHz CPUs and 320GB at $192. All with unlimited server access.
ScalaCube's full review is available (opens in a new tab).
4. MCProHosting
MCProHosting, which opens in a new tab, has been hosting games since 2011. It is one of the most trusted and respected brands in the world. MCProHosting's servers are available in 22 locations across six continents, with a majority in the United States and Europe. That means fast loading times and gameplay no matter where people are connecting from.
MCProHosting also supports Minecraft, Starbound, Garry's Mod and CS GO. If you're a fan of more than one of these games, you'll love MC's ONE plan: you can switch between games at any time and back up and restore games on the fly. You can spend a month hosting Minecraft and then switch to Rust gaming with your friends. Then, you can pick up your Minecraft world from where it was.
MC also provides 24/7 support, plugin/mod help, full file acces, unlimited storage, daily backups, and plugin/mod support. Minecraft servers start from $7.99 a month, and there's a free trial available to get you started.
Read our full MCProHosting review (opens in new tab).
5. Apex Hosting
Last but certainly not least, Apex Hosting (opens in new tab) is a well-known name in Minecraft server hosting. It is known for its ease-of-use and configuration. There are 200+ preconfigured modpacks and preconfigured minigames. Also, helpful guides for setting-up plugins, mods and mini-games. It's a great hosting choice for beginners in this regard.
Apex also offers chat support and 24/7 ticket support. It also has a seven day money-back guarantee so you can test the service before you commit. Each plan comes with full FTP and MySQL database access, plus free server transfers (if you have an existing game to move over).
Pricing starts at $9.99/month for 2GB RAM, a simple server and some modpacks. Prices go up to $59.99/month for 15GB RAM and advanced servers and all modpacks. All plans come with unlimited slots, automated backups, and unlimited storage.
Check out our review of Apex Hosting (opens in a new tab).
How to choose the best Minecraft server hosting for you
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your provider. Mcnames Hosting an online multiplayer game requires hardware.
The server's size will determine how many players and slots it can support. This will also affect the quality of the hardware. You'll need enough RAM and processing power to support all the connections. With 64GB RAM available, Shockbyte is the clear leader in this area. ScalaCube, MCProHosting, and MCProHosting offer 32GB RAM plans, which is enough for most servers.
Cost is another factor. ScalaCube's free plan is a great option for those who are just starting out and want some help in running a Minecraft server. Shockbyte offers a lower-cost plan. This will need to be weighed against your hardware requirements.
Another important aspect is server configuration. Apex Hosting makes it simple to configure mods and mini-games in one click. This allows you to quickly go from a blank slate to a fully functional Minecraft server in no time. Hostinger's manual Linux environments offer more control and experience.
It doesn't really matter what configuration your server has, it's vital to have excellent support options. Reliable, responsive support is essential if your server goes down or you need assistance installing a new mod. It's important to have it available quickly in order to keep your game running. Shockbyte (Apex), MCProHosting (ScalaCube) all offer 24/7 user support.