How different Minecraft servers can optimize gameplay

Illustrative Editorial of Minecraft website homepage.
(Image credit: Shutterstock/II.studio)

Minecraft feels like the game with ultimate customization. There are countless Minecraft mods, many Minecraft seeds to explore, and even the look can improve via the best Minecraft texture packs

One of the best ways to have such control is through hosting your own Minecraft server. One of the best Minecraft server hosting services can make that a breeze but you still need to know what you’re doing. It also helps to know exactly why we recommend certain servers over others. 

Below, you’ll find some advice on what to look for when picking your server host so you can enjoy your Minecraft server.

User experience and customer service

One of the most important things you need from your server host is a good experience and customer service. 

After all, no one wants to sign up to a game server host which offers laggy connections, constant disconnections, error messages, and mod errors, right? 

Related to that, you want the hosting company to be welcoming if you do need to get in touch with customer service to assist you with any issues you run into. That’s where an experienced game server hosting provider makes a pivotal difference. 

Look through our overview of the best dedicated server hosting and best VPS hosting and you’ll see many names that also offer Minecraft hosting. You want to make sure the one you pick appreciates that you may not have prior experience of hosting a game server and therefore might need a little more help than average. It’s meant to be a fun experience after all.

A handful of Minecraft characters walking in a forest

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The tech

Alongside the experience, you want the technology supporting your server to be good. Read up on the technical resources of the server provider you’re considering. Make sure it has conveniently located servers that can cope with the capacity of players you’re anticipating, the support for plugins and mods you wish to use, and any other growth plans you may have. That often means plenty of storage and RAM with Minecraft with there being no one size fits all for everyone.

Also, look for easy to install mods and other ways of simplifying the process so you don’t have to get too involved with the technical side of things. A straightforward control panel helps here with the option to install mod packs with a few clicks. User-friendliness goes a long way here so check out reviews and screenshots of the control panel before you commit. 

For the more advanced user, a good Minecraft server host should also feature console access, a powerful online file editor, and the ability to use an FTP client as well as user configurable backups. That way, as you learn more, you can work your way up with how advanced you get with adjusting and tweaking things.

An image of Minecraft gameplay and a player mining

(Image credit: Minecraft)

How to get things right with your Minecraft server

Minecraft continues to evolve and entertain as well as educate. Research is key to making sure you find and sign up for the right server for your needs. Simply put, check the hardware involved matches your expectations (the best ones will advise you based on your needs), and don’t be afraid to plan ahead. If you want a successful Minecraft server, it’s going to evolve over time and you want server hosting that will grow with you. 

Don’t forget to check how easy it is to use the server hosting as it’ll make your life a lot simpler and it’ll make it all the more tempting to try out more mods and major changes to the game. Experimentation can often be a great way to find what works best for you and your community.

In an ideal world, you may want to be placed among the best Minecraft servers one day and picking the right Minecraft server hosting will help with that.

  • Here's a list of the best web hosting services, to which some on the list offer Minecraft server hosting too
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Jennifer Allen
Contributor

Jennifer is a roving tech freelancer with over 10 years experience. Having graduated from Swansea University with a degree in Media and Communication Studies, and later with a diploma from Staffordshire University with a post graduate diploma in Computer Games Design, she's written for a huge number of publications, including T3, FitandWell, Top Ten Reviews, Eurogamer, NME and many more. 

Her main areas of interest are all things B2B, smart technology, wearables, speakers, headphones, and anything gaming related, and you'll find her writing everything from product reviews to buying guides and hunting down the latest coupon codes to save you money. In her spare time, she enjoys the cinema, walking, and attempting to train her pet guinea pigs. She is yet to succeed.