Cheapest Minecraft Server Hosting Options on Hetzner

Hosting your own Minecraft server allows you to customize your gaming experience, control who joins, and manage server settings to suit your community's needs. However, finding the cheapest Minecraft server hosting that doesn't compromise on performance can be challenging.

In this guide, we'll delve into why Hetzner is ideal for budget-conscious Minecraft enthusiasts and provide step-by-step instructions to get your server up and running.

Why Choose Hetzner?

• Competitive Pricing: Hetzner provides some of the most cost-effective hosting solutions in the market, making it accessible for gamers on a tight budget.
• High-Performance Hardware: Their servers are equipped with modern CPUs, ample RAM, and fast NVMe storage, ensuring smooth gameplay and quick world generation.
• Scalability: Whether you're running a small server for friends or a large community, Hetzner's range of plans allows you to scale resources as needed without breaking the bank.
• Global Data Centers: With data centers in Europe and the US, you can choose a location closest to your player base, reducing latency and enhancing the gaming experience.
• Excellent Uptime: Hetzner boasts impressive uptime guarantees, ensuring your Minecraft server remains accessible to players around the clock.

Hetzner Hosting Plans for Minecraft Servers

To find the cheapest Minecraft server hosting on Hetzner, it's essential to understand their various hosting options. Hetzner primarily offers two types of hosting services suitable for Minecraft servers:

1. Hetzner Cloud

Hetzner Cloud provides scalable virtual private servers (VPS) with flexible configurations. It's an excellent choice for those who prefer managing their server environments with ease.

Recommended Plans:

• CPX11:
• • CPU: 2 vCPUs (AMD EPYC)
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • Storage: 20 GB SSD
  • Price: Starting at €4.15/month
  • Pros: Affordable, suitable for small to medium-sized servers.
  • Cons: Limited RAM may require optimization for larger communities.
• CPX21:
• • CPU: 4 vCPUs (AMD EPYC)
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • Storage: 40 GB SSD
  • Price: Starting at €8.30/month
  • Pros: Better performance for larger servers, more memory for plugins and mods.
  • Cons: Slightly higher cost but offers better scalability.

2. Hetzner Dedicated Servers

For those seeking maximum performance and control, Hetzner's dedicated servers provide powerful hardware exclusively for your Minecraft server.

Recommended Plans:

• AX41-NVMe:
• • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (6 cores, 12 threads)
  • RAM: 64 GB DDR4
  • Storage: 2 x 512 GB NVMe SSD
  • Price: €39.90/month
  • Pros: High performance, ample RAM, ideal for large communities and modded servers.
  • Cons: Higher cost, which may exceed the definition of "cheapest" but offers superior performance.
• AX31:
• • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X (8 cores, 16 threads)
  • RAM: 32 GB DDR4
  • Storage: 2 x 512 GB NVMe SSD
  • Price: €29.90/month
  • Pros: Balanced performance, suitable for medium to large servers.
  • Cons: Slightly more expensive than entry-level cloud plans.

Setting Up a Minecraft Server on Hetzner Cloud

For those prioritizing the cheapest Minecraft server hosting, Hetzner Cloud's CPX11 plan is an excellent starting point. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up your Minecraft server on Hetzner Cloud:

Step 1: Create a Hetzner Cloud Account

1. Sign Up: Visit Hetzner Cloud and create an account.
2. Verify Email: Complete the email verification process.
3. Add Payment Method: Add a valid payment method to start provisioning servers.

Step 2: Deploy a New Server

1. Navigate to Projects: Once logged in, go to your dashboard and select "Projects."
2. Create Server: Click on "Create Server."
3. Select Server Type: Choose "Cloud" and select the desired location closest to your player base.
4. Choose Plan: Select the CPX11 plan for cost-effective hosting.
5. Select Image: Choose an operating system. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is recommended for its stability.
6. Add SSH Key: For secure access, add your SSH public key. If you don't have one, generate it using ssh-keygen on your local machine.
7. Finalize: Name your server (e.g., MinecraftServer) and click "Create & Buy Now."

Step 3: Configure Your Server

1. Access Server: Use SSH to connect to your server.

   ssh root@your_server_ip

2. Update System:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3. Create a Dedicated User:

   adduser mcserver
   usermod -aG sudo mcserver
   su - mcserver

Step 4: Install Java

Minecraft requires Java to run. Install the latest OpenJDK version.

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk -y

Verify the installation:

java -version

Step 5: Download Minecraft Server

1. Create Server Directory:

   mkdir ~/MinecraftServer
   cd ~/MinecraftServer

2. Download Server JAR:
3. • Vanilla Minecraft:

     wget https://launcher.mojang.com/v1/objects/<latest-version>/server.jar -O server.jar

   • PaperMC (Recommended for better performance):

     wget -O paper.jar https://api.papermc.io/v2/projects/paper/versions/1.20.4/builds/436/downloads/paper-1.20.4-436.jar

3. Accept EULA:

   echo "eula=true" > eula.txt

Step 6: Configure Firewall

Ensure that your server's firewall allows traffic on Minecraft's default port (25565).

1. Install UFW:

   sudo apt install ufw -y

2. Allow SSH and Minecraft Ports:

   sudo ufw allow ssh
   sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
   sudo ufw enable

Step 7: Start the Minecraft Server

1. Install Screen:

   sudo apt install screen -y

2. Start Server in Screen Session:

   screen -S Minecraft

3. Run Server:

   java -Xms1G -Xmx2G -jar paper.jar nogui

4. • -Xms1G sets the initial memory allocation to 1GB.
   • -Xmx2G sets the maximum memory allocation to 2GB.
4. Detach from Screen: Press Ctrl + A then D to leave the screen session running.

Step 8: Automate Server Startup

Create a script to ensure your Minecraft server starts automatically if the server restarts.

1. Create Startup Script:

   nano ~/MinecraftServer/start.sh

2. Add the Following Lines:

   #!/bin/bash
   while true; do
     java -Xms1G -Xmx2G -jar paper.jar nogui
     echo "Server crashed with exit code $?. Restarting in 5 seconds..."
     sleep 5
   done

3. Make the Script Executable:

   chmod +x ~/MinecraftServer/start.sh

4. Run the Script:

   ./start.sh

   Alternatively, you can set up a systemd service for better management.

Step 9: Connect to Your Minecraft Server

1. Open Minecraft: Launch the Minecraft client on your local machine.
2. Add Server: Navigate to "Multiplayer" > "Add Server."
3. Enter Server Details:
4. • Server Name: Your choice (e.g., My Hetzner Server)
   • Server Address: your_server_ip:25565
4. Join: Click "Join Server" to start playing.

Scaling Your Minecraft Server on Hetzner

As your Minecraft community grows, you might need to upgrade your hosting plan to accommodate more players and additional features. Hetzner makes scaling straightforward:

1. Upgrade Cloud Plan: If you're using Hetzner Cloud, you can easily resize your VPS to a higher plan with more CPU cores and RAM without significant downtime.
2. Switch to Dedicated Server: For larger communities or modded servers requiring extensive resources, migrating to a dedicated server like the AX41-NVMe provides ample performance and stability.
3. Load Balancing: For very large servers, consider implementing load balancing across multiple servers to distribute the workload efficiently.

Conclusion

Finding the cheapest Minecraft server hosting that doesn't sacrifice performance is essential for an enjoyable gaming experience. Hetzner stands out as a top choice, offering a range of affordable hosting plans tailored to different needs. Whether you're running a small server for friends or managing a large community, Hetzner provides the flexibility, performance, and reliability required for seamless Minecraft gameplay.

By following this guide, you can set up and optimize your Minecraft server on Hetzner, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all players. Embrace the power of Hetzner's cost-effective hosting solutions and build your Minecraft world without breaking the bank. What are you waiting for?