Ready to play Minecraft with friends but not quite sure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Whether you want to rent and customize a Minecraft server from a game server host, use Mojang's own Minecraft Realms, or host your Minecraft server on your personal machine, there are many ways to create a multiplayer Minecraft server, and we’ll discuss them below.
Step 1: Choose an Edition
The first step is determining if you want to set up a Minecraft server for the Java edition or the Bedrock edition of Minecraft, as it is easiest if you and your friends are running the same edition.
The Java Edition is the original version of Minecraft. It supports cross-platform play between Windows, Linux, and macOS and offers many customization options via mods, plugins, and user-created skins. Bedrock users can connect to Java Edition Minecraft servers using certain mods and plugins, but each has its own caveats.
The Bedrock Edition of Minecraft is available cross-platform on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, and Windows Mobile. While it can still be customized, the options are more limited and exclude mods and plugins. Cross-platform play is only supported with other Bedrock Players.
Step 2: Choose a Method
Rent a Minecraft Server
Hosting a Minecraft server is incredibly easy when renting one from a Minecraft Server Host. This option will have you online playing multiplayer Minecraft in minutes. Each Minecraft Server Host offers different features, so we will focus on the features Nodecraft offers.
Pros
Unlimited customization options!
able to install mods, plugins, and datapacks
configuration is easy with our in-app UI for popular Minecraft Server settings and one-click installer for popular modpacks and plugins
for advanced users, our in-app file editor can give even deeper control over their Minecraft server
choose a version of Java
upload a custom jar file
unlimited player slots
anyone can join with a Minecraft server IP address or DNS hostname
give friends access to start, stop, and manage your Minecraft server
cloud backups - manual and automated tasks
play on any version of Minecraft
easily swap between plugins, modpacks, and games, archiving your current Minecraft World and configuration setup to come back to later via Nodecraft’s Save & Swap feature
Cons
You have to find a Minecraft server host you can trust on your own.
Host your own Minecraft Server
For the more technically savvy and willing to put in more effort, setting up your dedicated server on your personal hardware is an option. To host a multiplayer Minecraft server, follow Mojang’s guide: How to Setup a Minecraft Java Edition Server, which also discusses the risks.
Pros
complete control
Cons
requires technical expertise
requires more time and manual work to set up
requires manual setup for each update/patch
can call for risky third-party programs or punching a hole in your own firewall for others to connect
requires providing your public IP Address to anyone you want to join your Minecraft server. Note: Only give out your IP address to people you trust.
requires port forwarding
you may be breaking your internet provider’s terms & conditions
Subscribe to Minecraft Realms
Minecraft Realms is the official subscription-based service from Mojang Studios that enables players to invite other people into their world aka “realm”. You can learn more about how to set up Minecraft Realms from the Minecraft website.
Pros
easy to create directly in the game
no technical knowledge is required
able to use paid marketplace content
play across multiple devices and consoles
automated backups
Cons
customization limited
no mods or quality-of-life plugins
miss out on thousands of popular mods and plugins
players are limited to 2-10 plus yourself online at a time
requires an invite to join/does not offer an IP address or DNS hostname to join
can only play on the latest version of the game
no afk farming/looting is possible as Minecraft Realms kicks AFK players and turns the server off
Step 3: Setup your Minecraft Server
Each method for setting up a Minecraft Server has unique steps. We’ve included links above to Mojang's official Minecraft Realms and self-hosting documentation. Each Minecraft server host will have its own steps for setting up a game server, so for the sake of this article, we will walk you through how easy it is to set up a Minecraft Server with Nodecraft.
Rent a Minecraft server: Size matters, so we’ve prepared recommendations for each type of Minecraft server type.
Vanilla Minecraft server with 1-4 players and a smaller Minecraft world size: 3GB of RAM is best.
Vanilla to lightly modded Minecraft server with 5-10 players and a small to medium world size: 6GB of RAM will most likely serve you well, depending on the mods or plugins you install.
Want to go all out with a kitchen-sink type of Minecraft server modpack, huge worlds, and 10+ players? 10GB of RAM will take care of most of these, but every modpack is different, so some might need more RAM. You can always start small and upgrade as needed.
Setup a Minecraft server instance on your rented server
Go to your Nodecraft dashboard.
Click “Create Server”
Choose Minecraft from the list
Choose either Java Edition or Bedrock Edition
Click “New Save” and fill out the requested information
Server Name
DNS hostname: this is a fancy URL that can be used instead of the IP address when people join your server.
Server Location
Auto Deploy - turn this on so the server will set itself up.
Click “Install Mods” on the right side of the screen to choose from our integrated modpacks. Don’t worry if you have a custom modpack you’d prefer to add yourself. You can do that via the file manager once your Minecraft server is set up.
Click “Create Server”
Configure your Minecraft server:
From your Nodecraft Dashboard, click the Gear Icon with “panel” on the server’s card under “Currently Playing.
Using Nodecraft’s dynamic control panel, easily toggle on and adjust all the essential settings to your desires! Settings available in the control panel include everything from server name and game mode to Java version and jar files. You can even set up your Allowlist/Whitelist and manage OP players directly in our control panel.
For advanced control over your server configuration, utilize the in-app, dual-pane file manager by navigating to “Server Files” in the left menu.
Start your Minecraft server in the top left of the screen to turn it on.
Grab your Minecraft server address (IP Address or DNS Hostname) and share it with the players you want to join you.
That’s it! Your multiplayer Minecraft server is created, customized, turned on, and ready to be joined. You can read more about How to Join Your Minecraft Server, How to Install Minecraft Mods on Your Server, How to OP and Manage Admin Players on your Minecraft Server, and much more in our Knowledgebase. You can also contact our support team for help!
