VPS for Minecraft

A VPS lets you run a Minecraft server that stays online around the clock, sized to your player count, mods, and world complexity.

Minecraft servers are memory-hungry, and RAM is usually the first resource you run out of as you add players, plugins, or a modpack. The server software is also sensitive to single-thread CPU speed, since world generation and tick processing lean heavily on one core. Fast NVMe storage helps with chunk loading and world saves, especially on larger maps.

For a small group, a couple of gigabytes of RAM and a fast processor go a long way, while modded servers and larger communities need considerably more memory. Allocate enough RAM to the Java process but leave headroom for the operating system. A common pitfall is assigning all available memory to Java, which can cause instability, or choosing a plan with slow cores that struggle to keep the tick rate steady.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?

A small vanilla server runs on about 2-4 GB, while modpacks and larger player counts often need 6-8 GB or more; add memory as you add mods and players.

Does Minecraft use multiple CPU cores?

The core server loop is largely single-threaded, so a high per-core clock speed usually matters more than having many cores, though some tasks and plugins can use extra threads.

Java or Bedrock edition on a VPS?

Both can be self-hosted; Java edition uses the JVM and is the most common for modding, while Bedrock has its own dedicated server software with different requirements.

See also