Is it free to host your own Minecraft server?

Yes. Downloading and running the official server.jar or Bedrock Dedicated Server software from Mojang costs nothing. You only pay for your existing electricity and internet connection.

How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?

A small vanilla Minecraft server for one to five players runs comfortably with 2 GB of allocated RAM. Larger player counts, modded servers, or plugin-heavy setups typically require 4 to 8 GB or more.

Do I need a powerful PC to host a Minecraft server?

No. For a small group, a modest dual-core processor with at least 2 GB of free RAM is sufficient. Minecraft servers benefit more from strong single-thread CPU performance than a high number of CPU cores.

What port does Minecraft use by default?

Minecraft: Java Edition uses TCP port 25565 by default, configured with the server-port setting in server.properties. Bedrock Edition uses UDP port 19132 by default.

Can I run a Minecraft server and play the game on the same computer?

Yes. You'll need enough CPU and RAM for both the Minecraft server and the game client. In most cases, allocate an additional 2 to 4 GB of RAM beyond the server's requirements.

Do I need to keep my computer on for others to play?

Yes. With a self-hosted Minecraft server, your computer and internet connection must remain online for other players to connect. Managed hosting providers keep servers online 24/7.

Is self-hosting safe from a security standpoint?

Self-hosting can be safe if configured correctly. Keep online-mode enabled, use a whitelist for private servers, regularly update your software, and understand that port forwarding exposes your server to internet traffic.

What's the difference between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition servers?

Java Edition servers use server.jar and support plugins and mod loaders such as Paper, Spigot, Forge, and Fabric. Bedrock Dedicated Server supports Windows, mobile, and console players, uses a different server.properties configuration, and has a smaller add-on ecosystem. The two editions cannot connect directly without a compatible proxy.