Last Updated on December 30, 2022

Minecraft is one of the most popular games in the world. This is, in part, down to the fact that it is ridiculously fun to play multiplayer. It is also very customizable.

While you can host a Minecraft server on your computer, we are sure that you want something a bit more ‘long term’, and this is where the best Minecraft server hosting companies will come into play. We are going to talk about our three favorites here.

As a final note here: Each of these companies will offer both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition Minecraft servers. There is no overlap between the two. Therefore, it is important that you choose the hosting that is going to fit the game that you are playing!

What is the best Minecraft hosting?

The best Minecraft hosting services provide reliable server speed, support for high number of players, security features, uptime and ease of use.

My tops picks are Shockbyte, Apex Minecraft server hosting and Zap Hosting.

1. Shockbyte

Shockbyte is one of the most popular of Minecraft server hosting options, and it isn’t hard to see why.

They have a wealth of packages to ensure that you can end up with a Minecraft server fit for your needs.

The basic 1GB plan for 20+ players is available for $2.50 a month all the way up to the Obsidian plan which boasts 9GB of RAM and is capable of playing host to over 180 people.

All of their plans come with unlimited storage and bandwidth. This means that you can build massive worlds and have as many mods running as your 1GB plan allows.

Shockbyte makes use of the Multicraft control panel. Anybody familiar with Minecraft modding will know that with Multicraft by your side, you are going to be installing mods like a pro in next-to-no time at all.

Shockbyte servers are located all over the world. This means that you shouldn’t find it too difficult to get a server that is located close to you. It does cost a little bit extra to choose your own server, though.

If that wasn’t enough, all of the plans come with their own custom subdomain. This will make it dead simple for you to be able to share your server with all of your friends, family, and even beyond.

2. Apex Minecraft Hosting

Apex Minecraft Hosting is all about Minecraft. It is right there in the name, after all.

Everything they offer is designed to ensure the best Minecraft experience imaginable. This means access to tons of one-click install mod packs. It means access to prebuilt Minecraft worlds. It includes access to countless Minecraft mini-games that you can get up and running on your server.

The Minecraft packages here are highly customizable. The basic plan for 1GB of RAM starts at $5.99 per month. The 10GB plan with access to all of the mod packs caps out at $49.99 per month, so you have something to suit all budgets here.

All of their Minecraft packages come complete with unlimited slots, full DDOS protection, instant set-up, and one-click installers. The included control panel even makes it dead simple for you to manage your entire hosting package. This means that Apex Minecraft Hosting is going to be absolutely brilliant for those new to the world of Minecraft servers.

With the ability to change your package whenever you want, this is one of the few companies that allows your server to grow with you.

For a small amount of extra money per month, you can even host Bedrock Edition servers with Apex.

3. Zap Hosting

Zap Hosting has gone ‘all in’ on the Minecraft hosting experience. You can purchase a variety of different servers including (but certainly not limited to)

  • Vanilla Minecraft
  • Bedrock Minecraft
  • Bukkit
  • Forge
  • Spigot
  • Paper Spigot

If you don’t know what any of this means (and you are not playing on console), then Paper Spigot is where you should be looking. This allows you to quickly install plugins and mods that you find online via the handy control panel.

Their base package offers 4 slots and 2GB of RAM. This will set you back around $10 a month, which isn’t bad for a highly moddable experience like this. They go all the way up to 16GB of RAM which can handle over 500-players for a shade over $260 a month. Again, this is a fantastic price for the experience that you are getting.

Servers are located all over the world. So, once again, it shouldn’t be too tricky to find a package that is going to fit your needs perfectly. Server location will have a major impact on latency.

If that wasn’t enough, this company allows you to switch your server between games (their main game is GTA on FiveM), just in case you want to play something a little bit different to Minecraft on occasion.

How much does it cost to host a Minecraft server?

The cost of a Minecraft server can start as low as $5 a month for 2-4 people, and go all the way up to well over $200 for a fully moddable experience that can host hundreds of players simultaneously.

What is the best Minecraft server hosting for mods?

Any Minecraft server that offers over 2GB of RAM is going to be great for hosting mods. Although, of course, the more RAM you have available, the more mods and plugins you are going to be able to run at once. Always look for a server that offers a control panel for easy mod installation.

Is 1GB of RAM enough for a Minecraft server?

1GB of RAM is only going to be enough for a small Minecraft server without any mods. if you are planning on adding any mods to your server or having more than 3-4 people playing at once, then 1GB is going to be nowhere near enough. You will need a minimum of 2GB for even the most basic of mod functionality.

What is the best Minecraft server hosting in the UK?

While all Minecraft server options listed on this page will have Minecraft hosting in the UK, many people claim that Shockbyte is up there with the best. This is because they offer the most affordable UK servers.

Further reading on SMBillion: Looking to host servers for other games? Check out our Rust and FiveM hosting reviews.