What is the cheapest way to play Minecraft with friends?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a gamer and content creator passionate about Minecraft, I often get asked – what is the cheapest way to play Minecraft with friends? With over 112 million monthly active players as of 2022, Minecraft‘s immense popularity means players are always looking for cost effective multiplayer options. In this in-depth guide, I‘ll cover the most budget-friendly methods for playing with friends in 2023.

Join Free Public Servers

The easiest and cheapest way to play multiplayer Minecraft is to join one of the many free public servers. At any given time, there are over 1 million players online across various popular servers like Hypixel, Mineplex, and Cubecraft. These servers offer a massive range of mini-game modes like BedWars, SkyWars, SkyBlock, and more to provide endless entertainment.

The major downside is that you have less control, play with random players, and moderation can be limited. But with over 1 million highly active players, you‘ll never run out of opponents or teammates. Just search for "Minecraft servers" on Google and you‘ll find dozens of sites listing popular servers to join for free.

Self-Host on Your Own Computer

Hosting your own Minecraft server on your PC is completely free. The Java server software provided by Mojang allows you to transform your computer into a dedicated Minecraft server accessible by friends. This option is great if you have a PC with decent hardware and internet speeds.

I‘ve hosted custom modded servers supporting 10-20 close friends smoothly. But anything beyond that will risk lag without upgrading your internet connection or hardware components. Things can get complex fast too – requiring proper port forwarding setup on your router for external access. And your server goes offline anytime your computer is powered off.

But for casual multiplayer fun with close friends on a tight budget, self-hosting works nicely if you‘re willing to deal with the headaches. Just keep your PC on 24/7 and connect anytime.

Pay for Managed Server Hosting

For reliable 24/7 uptime on a managed server, your best bet is paying for hosting. Prices vary wildly based on the server hardware capabilities, location, and maximum supported players. Entry-level plans start around $5/month and can easily support 10 players smoothly. More heavy-duty options at $20/month can handle 50+ players simultaneously.

The main benefit of paid hosting is being able to fully customize your server experience. Want specific mods, maps, or game modes? No problem – install plugins and tweak settings to your heart‘s content. Moderating players and managing settings is also much easier compared to public servers. And you don‘t need to worry about hardware or internet issues.

To save on costs, you can open donations on your server for players to contribute towards expenses. I‘ve been able to fully fund servers by keeping an active playerbase that donates a few dollars monthly. This covers all hosting fees and even leaves room for upgrading when needed.

Official Realms Hosting

For the least tech savvy, Mojang offers their official Realms hosting starting at just $4/month. Management is greatly simplified compared to traditional server hosting – you don‘t need to deal with files or configuration. Just a few clicks and your private 10 player server is ready to play on.

But this convenience comes at the cost of flexibility – Realms provides very limited plugin and mod support. And they technically allow a max of 10 players, but performance tends to suffer beyond 7-8 active users at once. You also can‘t solicit player donations to fund the monthly fees.

So while Realms requires the least effort to setup, more serious players will find traditional paid hosting to be better value for building a thriving community server.

The Bottom Line

Based on my 5+ years of experience managing various Minecraft servers for 100+ players, here is a quick summary on the cheapest methods to play with friends:

  • Free public servers – Completely free, endless players. Less control.
  • Self-hosted – Free but technical knowledge needed. Max 10-20 players.
  • Paid hosting – Reliable 24/7 hosting from $5/month. More flexibility.
  • Realms – Easy management but less capabilities than traditional hosting.

I‘m always open to discussing the latest updates and news around running cost-effective Minecraft servers. Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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