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What Is an SMP in Minecraft?

SMP stands for Survival Multiplayer. Here’s what that actually means, the different kinds of SMPs, and how to find one worth joining in 2026.

What Does SMP Mean?

SMP = Survival Multiplayer. It's a shared survival world where many players live, build, and play together on the same server. Unlike a solo world, an SMP has a living community — neighbors, rivalries, trades, and shared events.

Types of SMP Servers

Vanilla SMP

No mods — just base survival with friends.

Hermitcraft-like

Creator-style SMPs with collaborations.

Towny SMP

Build towns and nations together.

Seasonal SMP

Periodic resets for a fresh start.
How Is an SMP Different From Other Modes?
  • vs. Mini Games: SMPs are open-ended survival, not timed rounds.
  • vs. Anarchy: most SMPs have rules and land protection; anarchy has none.
  • vs. Realms: Realms are small private worlds; SMPs are usually larger public communities.
How to Join an SMP

Find one with an active community, copy its IP, and paste it into Minecraft's Multiplayer menu. Check our SMP tag page for servers sorted by live player count. For the full steps, see our how to join a Minecraft server guide.

Browse SMP Servers How to Join

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.