Where should a Minecraft server go when you leave its current host? That comes down to two things: whether your group plays only Minecraft or several games, and whether you'd rather rent a server or run the panel yourself. Below are Minecraft-first hosts, multi-game hosts, hosts that state a free trial and one self-hosted panel, unranked, so you can match one to your world.
Players remember their bases, their farms and the spawn someone spent a week decorating, and none of that cares which company's machine it sits on. The world is the thing worth protecting, not the host. If you're leaving Apex Hosting, the job is to find somewhere that runs your game the way you run it, then move the world across without losing anyone. Nine of the options below are hosts you rent from; one is a panel you run yourself.
Ten Minecraft and multi-game hosts in one table
Start here if you just want to see what each one is. The middle column says which kind of host each one is; the last says who it's shaped around.
| Tool | Kind of host | Who it's shaped around |
|---|---|---|
| BisectHosting | Minecraft and multi-game host | Modded Minecraft servers that need modpacks installed |
| Fragnet | Game host | Owners who'd rather flip switches than edit files |
| GPORTAL | PC and console host | Groups hopping between PC and PS5 titles |
| Host Havoc | Game host plus VPS | Communities that lean on workshop mods |
| Nodecraft | Multi-game host | Trying a host first, including console versions |
| PebbleHost | Minecraft and dedicated host | Minecraft servers and Discord bots under one account |
| PingPerfect | Multi-game host | Communities playing a less common title |
| Pterodactyl | Self-hosted panel | Running game servers on hardware you control |
| ScalaCube | Multi-game host | Survival crews across Minecraft, Rust, ARK and Valheim |
| Sparked Host | Game host plus VPS | A game server plus a VPS or bot |
Renting isn't the only route: running the panel yourself
Here's the part most comparison lists skip. Leaving one host doesn't have to mean signing up with another. Pterodactyl's own page describes a free, open-source game server panel that you host yourself, with every game server running in its own Docker container, and its game list includes Minecraft. So the real choice is between renting a ready-made server and running the software on a machine you look after.
That second route suits a particular kind of owner. If you're comfortable with a Linux server, updates and backups, it puts the whole setup in your hands. If the phrase Docker container made you wince, it's probably not for you, and that's fine. A rented host takes that work off your plate, which is the whole reason most server owners rent in the first place.
Before you decide, be honest about who'll fix things when the server falls over at eleven at night with your players waiting. If the answer is you, and you'd enjoy it, the self-run route is worth a weekend of testing. If the answer is someone else's support team, stay with the rented hosts below.
Every option, A to Z
Listed alphabetically and in no particular order. Each line describes what the host says it does.
BisectHosting
Best for: Modded servers, since it hosts Minecraft and many other games with a custom control panel and automatic modpack installs.
Fragnet
Best for: Changing game settings without touching config files; the vendor's phrase is switches instead of syntax, next to live stats and a browser file manager.
GPORTAL
Best for: Groups that hop between games, with PC and PS5 servers, short rental terms and a Gamecloud for switching titles.
Host Havoc
Best for: Modding communities: the vendor highlights its workshop and mod installers, and it sells Ryzen VPS and dedicated servers as well.
Nodecraft
Best for: Testing before you commit, as it states a free trial, and some of its titles come in both PC and console versions.
PebbleHost
Best for: Running a Minecraft server and a Discord bot side by side, both on the vendor's own custom control panel.
PingPerfect
Best for: Communities after a very large game list, all run from its own Game Panel, with free trials stated on the homepage.
Pterodactyl
Best for: Technical owners who'd rather run everything themselves, using a free, open-source panel that puts each game server in its own Docker container.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
ScalaCube
Best for: Survival game crews moving between titles, as it rents virtual and dedicated servers for Minecraft, Rust, ARK, Valheim and others.
Sparked Host
Best for: Owners who also want VPS, dedicated server or Discord bot hosting next to their game servers, from one provider.
One piece of advice before you switch off the old server
Don't cancel anything until a copy of your world is running somewhere else and at least one regular player has logged in and walked around. Hosting problems tend to show up as missing chunks, broken plugins or mods that won't load, and you only see them once real people are moving through the world.
For the wider field, my guide to Minecraft server hosting covers more Minecraft-specific choices, and the roundup of game server hosting for every kind of title is the place to look if your group plays several games. If the self-run route appeals, you'll need a machine to run it on, and my list of VPS hosting options is a sensible starting point.
Your world on a new host by bedtime
- Make a full download of your current world folder, plugins and config files, and keep it somewhere that isn't a server.
- Pick two options from the table that suit your server, and start a trial or the smallest plan each offers.
- Upload the same world to both, using the same game version, mods and plugins.
- Ask two regular players to join each one, walk to the busiest part of the world and report anything odd.
- Keep the one where the world loaded cleanly and the panel made sense to you, then tell everyone the new address.
Do you make game server hosting or a game server panel? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my Minecraft world when I change hosts?
Usually, yes. Download the world folder, plugins and config files from your current panel, then upload them to the new server running the same game version. Test it with a couple of players before you tell everyone to move.
Is running my own game server panel realistic for a beginner?
It's realistic if you're happy learning how a Linux server works and you'll keep up with updates and backups. If you'd rather never see a command line, a rented host is the easier road.
Do any of these hosts offer a free trial?
Two of them state a free trial on their own sites. Check the current terms on each host's website before you rely on it, because trial offers change.
Can one host run Minecraft and other games?
Most of the hosts here say they run many games, not only Minecraft, so a group that switches titles can often stay with one account. Check that your specific game is on their list.
Should I rent a VPS instead of a game server?
A VPS gives you more control and more work. A game server comes ready to run your game with a panel built for it. If you only want to play, the game server is simpler.
What should I check if my server runs modpacks?
Check whether the host installs modpacks for you or expects you to upload them, and test your exact pack on a trial or a short plan before you move your main world.
