Playing Minecraft 1.18 or newer? Count on at least 4 GB, even with three of you. That is our advice and it differs from what you read elsewhere.

The reason: since 1.18 worlds have become much deeper and the server holds more in memory at once. On 1.17 and older, 1 or 2 GB still gets you a long way; on newer versions you hit the ceiling the moment somebody walks into fresh terrain.

Rule of thumb per player count

Guidelines based on what we see on our own nodes. Here the version weighs as heavily as the player count.

Rule of thumb per player count 1.17 and older 1.18 and newer Modpack
1 to 3 players 1 GB 4 GB 6 GB
4 to 8 players 2 GB 4 GB 8 GB
8 to 15 players 3 GB 6 GB 8 GB
15 to 25 players 4 GB 8 GB 8 GB or more
More than 25 6 GB 8 GB or more Let us talk

Three things that often go wrong

01

The version weighs more than the player count

Since 1.18 worlds run from height 320 down to -64. That is more than twice as much world per chunk the server loads. That is why we advise at least 4 GB from that version onward, even for a small group.

02

More RAM does not make your server faster

RAM determines how much your server can hold at once, not how fast it calculates. If it stutters while memory is not full, the problem is the processor or a plugin.

03

The processor sets your tick rate

Minecraft runs its heaviest work on a single core. A fast single-thread processor does more for your TPS than a couple of extra gigabytes. That is why our nodes run on Ryzen processors.

04

Modpacks weigh more than players

A hundred and fifty mods with three players needs more memory than vanilla with twenty. Look at what you run first, and at how many people join second.

Server slow while memory looks fine?

Then there is usually plenty to gain from settings: view distance, entity limits, the right server software, and clearing out plugins that do more than you think. We wrote an extensive guide about it, based on what we run into on our own nodes.

Read the optimisation guide

When you do not need to buy anything here

Paid hosting is not always the answer. Two situations where it is a waste of money:

You play occasionally with two or three friends

A free host or a LAN-style solution that opens your world without port forwarding will do fine. Expect queues in the evening and a server that shuts down when nobody is playing.

You have fibre at home and a PC that is on anyway

Self-hosting works surprisingly well. Bear in mind that your PC has to stay on, that you expose your home network to the internet, and that an attack on your server takes your own connection down with it.

What to look at if you do pay

When comparing hosts, look beyond the price per gigabyte. This is where the difference sits:

Where the server physically sits

Playing from the Netherlands, a Dutch location noticeably improves your ping. A cheap server on another continent feels slower no matter how much RAM it has.

Whether DDoS protection is included

Minecraft servers get attacked, especially public SMPs. Ask whether protection comes as standard or as a separate line on your invoice.

Whether you can upgrade later

You start small and your server grows. Can you move to more memory without rebuilding your world?

What happens when things break

Backups, and a support channel where somebody answers. You only find out when you need it, so ask beforehand.

What we offer

For completeness, since you are reading this on our site. Our Minecraft plans run from 1 GB to 8 GB, from € 2.50 per month.

View Minecraft hosting
  • Servers in the Netherlands, connected to our own network AS211588
  • DDoS protection as standard, not a separate line item
  • AMD Ryzen processors, DDR4 ECC memory and NVMe storage
  • Modpack installer, and you pick your own Minecraft and Java version
  • Free subdomain on pnjoin.nl among others
  • Delivered instantly, cancellable monthly

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

About memory, player counts and what your server actually needs.

On Minecraft 1.18 or newer we advise 6 GB for ten players. On 1.17 and older, 3 GB will do. Running a modpack, assume 8 GB.

From Minecraft 1.18 worlds run from height 320 down to -64, more than twice as much world per loaded chunk as before. Below 4 GB you see that as stuttering the moment somebody walks into fresh terrain. On older versions that advice does not apply.

On 1.17 and older with a handful of players, yes. On newer versions no: there we advise at least 4 GB. Our smallest plans are therefore mainly meant for older versions and small test servers.

No. RAM determines how much your server can hold at once, not how fast it calculates. If it stutters while memory is not full, the cause is the processor or a heavy plugin. Our optimisation guide goes into that in depth.

Count on 6 GB for a small modpack on a modern version, and 8 GB or more for packs with a hundred and fifty mods or more. The modpack usually states a minimum; treat that as a floor, not a target.

If you have fibre at home and a PC that is on anyway, that works fine. You do expose your own network to the internet, your PC has to stay on, and an attack on your server takes your connection down too.

Yes. You can move to a larger plan as your server grows; your world and settings come along.