Free Minecraft Servers: Aternos, Minehut, Realms & More

You can run your own Minecraft server without spending any money. The best-known way is Aternos – but there’s also Minehut, a free trial month of Realms, a server on your own PC, or simply playing on your home network (LAN). Here’s what each option can do, where the limits are, and what parents should keep in mind. If you’re not sure what a server actually is, start with What is a Minecraft server?.

In short: For most groups of friends, Aternos is the best free option. If everyone is on the same Wi-Fi, LAN play costs nothing at all. A server that runs around the clock is only available long-term if you pay. Current as of October 2026; the latest version is Minecraft Java 26.3.

Free options at a glance

Option	Edition	Players	Runs 24/7?	Good for
Aternos	Java and Bedrock	no fixed cap, limited performance	no, stops without players	groups of friends, small modpacks
Minehut (Starter plan)	Java, Bedrock via crossplay	up to 10	no, “sleeps” without players	plugin servers, small communities
Realms (30-day trial)	Java or Bedrock	you + 2 or you + 10	yes	families, consoles, kids
Your own PC	Java and Bedrock	depends on the PC	only while the PC is on	tech-curious players
LAN / home network	Java and Bedrock	a few	only while the host is playing	siblings, friends visiting

Aternos: the best-known free server

Aternos is one of the most popular platforms for creating your own Minecraft server for free – no technical know-how required. It’s run by Aternos GmbH, a company based in Bonn, Germany. It started in 2013 as a hobby project by a few students and, according to the company, now has more than 125 million registered users. Aternos says it has been funded entirely by ads on its website and server panel since the very beginning; there are no ads inside the game itself.

Easy to use through the web interface

Everything runs conveniently through the Aternos web interface. That’s where you start, stop and customize your server. So you don’t need any extra software or complex settings – everything happens right in your browser.

When you create a server, you choose whether it’s for Java Edition or Bedrock Edition (phone, tablet, Windows). Your world is saved when the server stops, so you can pick up where you left off at any time. That’s especially handy if you regularly play with the same friends in the same world.

Mods, plugins and versions

One big advantage of Aternos is its flexibility: you can choose between different kinds of server software – for example Vanilla, Paper or Spigot for plugins, and Fabric, NeoForge, Forge or Quilt for mods. You install mods and plugins from the built-in library, which offers content from CurseForge and Modrinth. Ready-made modpacks can also be set up in a few clicks, but only one at a time.

Good to know: you can’t upload your own mod files to Aternos – only what’s in the library. That also protects you from infected downloads. If you want to upload any files you like, Aternos points you to its paid sister service, exaroton.

Because Aternos is free, only a limited amount of memory (RAM) is available; Aternos doesn’t publish a fixed number. Large modpacks with hundreds of mods therefore often run sluggishly or not at all. A survival server with a few plugins or a small modpack, on the other hand, usually works well.

Queues and automatic shutdown

Because Aternos is so popular, there can be a queue when you start your server, especially at busy times. Shortly before it’s your turn, you have to click to confirm you’re still there – otherwise you lose your place.

There are two rules you should know:

The server stops automatically when nobody is playing. According to the terms of service, keeping it awake with bots, automatic restarts or fake players is not allowed.
Unused servers get deleted. According to the terms of service (as of July 2026), this usually happens after about three months without a server start – world included. Just visiting the website doesn’t count as activity. So download a backup if you’re taking a break.

Step by step: how to create your Aternos server

Sign up for free at aternos.org.
Click “Create server” and choose Java or Bedrock, depending on what you play.
Give the server a name. Aternos automatically turns it into a server address (for example yourname.aternos.me).
Under “Software”, choose the Minecraft version and server software, such as Vanilla, Paper or a modpack.
Click “Start” and, the first time, accept the Minecraft EULA (Mojang’s license terms).
Once the server is online, add the address in Minecraft under Multiplayer → Add Server (Java) or Play → Servers → Add Server (Bedrock).

After that you can adjust settings such as game mode, difficulty and whitelist – and add plugins, mods or resource packs in just a few clicks.

More Aternos features

Backups: You can create and restore backups of your world.
Player management: Whitelist, operator rights and bans right in the panel.
Plugin and mod library: Search and install directly in your browser.
Log viewer: Helps you find errors when the server won’t start.
Server console: Run commands live, such as /time set day or /gamemode creative.
File manager and world upload: Edit config files and upload an existing world – for example a downloaded map.

Minehut: free with a player limit

Minehut has belonged to the company GamerSafer since 2024. According to Minehut, its free Starter plan gives you 1 GB of RAM, up to 10 players at once and no time limit. Like Aternos, the server “sleeps” when nobody is online and wakes up the next time someone joins. Plugins are supported, and Java and Bedrock players can play together.

The difference from Aternos: Minehut is also a large public server network. Players first enter a shared lobby and pick servers from a list there. That’s great if you’re looking for people to play with – but for a private server with kids, you should definitely turn on the whitelist. More RAM and player slots cost “credits”, Minehut’s paid currency.

Realms: try it free for 30 days

Minecraft Realms is the official server service from Mojang and Microsoft. It isn’t free, but according to minecraft.net you can try it free for 30 days – for both Bedrock and Java Edition. After that, the subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it.

Realms (Bedrock): you and two other players at once, listed on minecraft.net at $3.99 a month.
Realms Plus (Bedrock): you and ten other players, plus access to a catalog of Marketplace content, $7.99 a month.
Realms for Java: you and ten other players, $7.99 a month.

Invited friends play for free, the Realm runs around the clock – even when you’re offline – and backups are included. Realms only work within the same edition. On consoles, you also need the platform’s own online subscription to play online. For families, Realms is often the safest option, because only invited players can join.

Your own server on your PC

Mojang provides the server software itself for free: the Java server (server.jar) and the Bedrock Dedicated Server for Windows and Linux, both on minecraft.net. For Minecraft Java 26.3 you need Java 25 on the computer.

That costs nothing but electricity, but there are catches:

The server only runs while your PC is on, and it uses your PC’s power.
For friends outside your home to join, you need to set up port forwarding on your router (Java: port 25565, Bedrock: 19132). Other players can then see your home IP address.
Alternatively, there are tunneling services like playit.gg that work without port forwarding and don’t reveal your IP. The basic service is free for Java and Bedrock.

For kids, this is more of a project to do together with an adult – but you learn a lot about networks and servers along the way.

No server at all: playing over LAN

If you’re all on the same Wi-Fi, you don’t need a server:

Java: Start your world, press Esc → “Open to LAN”. The others will find the world in their Multiplayer menu.
Bedrock: Turn on “Visible to LAN Players” in the world settings. The world shows up for the others under the Friends tab.

The world only runs while the host is playing. For siblings or friends who come over, this is the easiest and safest option.

Playing on console: what you should know

On Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, you can’t add your own server addresses in Minecraft (Bedrock) – only the featured partner servers appear there. For kids who play on console, Realms is therefore the easiest way. A well-known workaround: a friend on a phone or PC joins the server, and the console player follows them via the Friends tab. We explain how Java and Bedrock differ in Minecraft Bedrock vs. Java Edition.

Safety: tips for parents

Your own server is often safer for kids than big public servers – but only if it stays private:

Turn on the whitelist: With /whitelist on and /whitelist add PlayerName (or with a click in the panel), only listed players can join. Without a whitelist, anyone who knows the address can join.
Don’t share the address publicly: don’t post it on YouTube, TikTok or in big Discord servers.
Be careful with operator rights: Ops can do anything – including wrecking worlds. That’s known as griefing.
Back up before big changes: especially before updates or new mods.
Only use official sites: offers like “free Realms” or “server generators” on random websites are almost always scams.
Check account settings: Parents decide in the Microsoft/Xbox family settings whether a child account is allowed to play online with others at all.

To find out what age Minecraft is right for, read our parenting guide on the right age for Minecraft.

Tips for a stable server

Don’t use too many mods or plugins at once. Less is often more.
Keep your version up to date, but after a big Minecraft update, wait a few days until plugins and mods have caught up.
Make backups before you make bigger changes.
If the free performance isn’t enough anymore, you can rent a server – for example from exaroton, which is also run by Aternos and only charges for the time the server is actually running. You’ll find a comparison in our article on Minecraft server hosting.

Frequently asked questions

Is Aternos really free?

Yes. According to Aternos, the service has been funded entirely by ads on its website since it launched in 2013. There’s no subscription and no hidden cost. In return, performance is limited, there can be a queue at busy times, and the server only runs while someone is playing on it.

Why does my Aternos server shut down on its own?

Aternos automatically stops servers as soon as nobody is playing, which frees up resources for everyone else. Its terms of service forbid keeping a server awake with bots or automatic restarts. If you need a server that runs around the clock, you’ll have to switch to a paid option like Realms or a rented server.

Can I play on a free server from a phone or console?

From a phone, tablet or Windows PC, yes: Aternos and Minehut also offer Bedrock servers, and you add the address under Servers. On Xbox, PlayStation and Switch you can’t add your own server addresses – only the featured servers or Realms work there. One workaround is to join through a friend who’s already on the server.

Is a free Minecraft server safe for kids?

It can be, as long as it stays private: turn on the whitelist, only share the server address with friends you know, give operator rights only to people you trust, and make regular backups. Without a whitelist, anyone who knows the address can join. On Minehut, servers also appear in a public list.

What’s the best free Minecraft server?

For most groups of friends, Aternos is the best free choice: no fixed player cap, mods and plugins in a few clicks, Java and Bedrock. For two or three people on the same Wi-Fi, opening your world to LAN is enough. If you want to play 24/7, try the Realms free month – but you’ll have to pay after that.

Conclusion

Aternos is still the best option for anyone who wants their own Minecraft server without spending money: easy to use, with mods and plugins, for Java and Bedrock. You’ll have to live with queues, limited performance and the automatic shutdown. Minehut is an alternative with a player cap, LAN is the simplest solution at home – and if you play on console or need a server that runs around the clock, you’ll end up with Realms sooner or later. Whatever you choose: whitelist on, keep the address private, make backups.

Transparency & sources

Aternos: Aternos GmbH – About us (user numbers, funding), terms of service (shutdown without players, deletion of inactive servers), Aternos help: creating a server and installing modpacks.
Minehut: server plans, sale to GamerSafer according to Super League.
Realms: minecraft.net – Realms (prices, player counts, trial). Server software and Java version: minecraft.net – server download, Mojang version data for 26.3. Tunneling: playit.gg.
All information retrieved on October 15, 2026.