Hosting a Minecraft server at home vs a hosted server
Running a server on your own computer looks like the obvious free option. It can be, and for some people it is the right choice. Here is what it takes, so you can decide with the full picture.
What hosting at home needs
- A computer that stays on while anyone wants to play. If you turn it off, the world is offline for everyone.
- Enough hardware. The server shares your PC with whatever else you run. Playing a game on the same machine as a server makes both slower.
- Port forwarding. Your router has to send traffic on port 25565 to your computer. Routers differ, some internet providers block it, and some put many customers behind one address so forwarding is impossible.
- A stable address. Most home internet addresses change from time to time. Dynamic DNS can help, but your friends may have to learn a new address.
- Upload bandwidth. Players download chunks from you. Home connections have low upload speed compared with their download speed.
- Security. An open port is an entry point into your home network. A vulnerable plugin or server bug on that port is a risk to your own files.
What it costs
The server software is free, but the electricity is not. A PC that runs around the clock can cost a noticeable amount a month, and an old PC left on for a server wears out. If your computer sleeps, your friends cannot join.
What a hosted server gives you
- It is online when you are not.
- No router changes, no changing address, and your home network stays closed.
- Better connections to players, since data centers have fast, steady upload.
- Backups, a web console and a file manager.
- Someone else deals with the hardware.
You give up some freedom: you cannot run anything you like on the machine, and you pay if you need more than the free tier.
A fair comparison
| At home | Hosted | |
|---|---|---|
| Online when your PC is off | No | Yes |
| Port forwarding | Required | Not needed |
| Your home network exposed | Yes | No |
| Cost | Electricity and wear | Free tier, or pay by the GB |
| Upload speed | Often low | Fast |
| Control of the machine | Total | Limited to the server |
When home hosting is the right choice
- You are testing or learning, and only you play.
- You have a spare machine, a good connection and know how to secure it.
- You want to run something a host does not allow.
When hosted is better
- You want friends to play when you are away.
- You do not want to touch your router.
- You care about your home network's safety.
- You want backups and a web dashboard without setting them up.
If you want to try hosted for nothing, Saryno gives you 1 GB free, with no ads and no queue.