How to Make a Minecraft Server
You can make a Minecraft server three ways: run it free on your own PC, use a free hosted service like Aternos, or pay a hosting provider for guaranteed uptime. Here's how each works and who it's for.
Option 1: Host it yourself (free, but offline when you are)
Download the official Minecraft server .jar, run it on your PC, and forward port 25565 on your router (see our port forwarding guide). Cost: $0. Catch: the server only runs while your computer is on, and your home IP may change — a Dynamic DNS setup solves that.
Option 2: Free hosted services (Aternos, etc.)
Free hosts let you create a server in a browser with no port forwarding. The trade-off is performance and queues: free servers are often slow, shared, and capped on playtime. Great for casual play with friends, not for building a community.
Option 3: Paid hosting (best performance)
A paid provider gives you dedicated resources, 24/7 uptime, easy mod installers, and a stable IP. You pay monthly, but you skip every technical headache. Compare options in our Aternos vs paid hosting breakdown.
Don't want the hassle? Just join one
Thousands of well-run servers already exist. Our live server list lets you jump in instantly with a one-click IP copy — no setup required.
Reviewed by the MC Monitor Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches server listings, verifies live status data, and keeps these guides current. Last review: June 2026.