You can run a Minecraft server without paying in four ways: a free host that runs the server for you with ads or limits, a free trial that ends, a free tunnel that makes a server on your own PC reachable, or a cloud free tier where you build the server yourself. Ten options follow, in no particular order.
Free is the word everyone searches, and it's also the word that hides the most. Some of these services run your server for you, some stop after a trial, and some hand you an empty machine and wish you luck.
The ten options below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order. I've only called something free where the provider's own page says so, read as of Oct 2026. None of them is an official Minecraft product, and Mojang's own server option is a subscription.
Free Minecraft server options compared
| Tool | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Aternos | Free Minecraft host | A free server with no end date |
| exaroton | On-demand game servers | A trial, then a server charged by use |
| Falix | Game and app host | Starting free and upgrading later |
| FreeMcServer | Free Minecraft host | Free 24/7 hosting with mod support |
| Google Cloud Free Program | Cloud free tier | Building a server on Compute Engine yourself |
| Minefort | Free Minecraft host and server list | Free hosting players join from any client |
| Minehut | Free Minecraft host | Instant free servers for Java and Bedrock |
| Oracle Cloud Free Tier | Cloud free tier | Always Free cloud services you set up |
| playit.gg | Tunnel for home servers | Sharing a server running on your own PC |
| Server.pro | Minecraft and game host | A hosted trial with no credit card |
Ten ways to host Minecraft without paying
Aternos
Best for: Friends who want their own personal server from a host that says it's free and always will be, for everyone.
exaroton
Best for: Players who'd like a trial with no payment method required, then a server charged only for the time it runs.
Falix
Best for: Anyone who'd like to start for free from one panel and upgrade whenever they like, with other games and app hosting there too.
FreeMcServer
Best for: Modded players wanting a free server its title says runs 24/7, with Java and Bedrock crossplay and a mod and plugin installer.
Google Cloud Free Program
Best for: Technical users happy to build their own server on Compute Engine within the monthly free tier limits Google lists.
Minefort
Best for: Groups wanting free server hosting that anyone can join from a normal Minecraft client, with DDoS protection listed on every plan.
Minehut
Best for: Beginners who want a free Java or Bedrock server in seconds with no downloads, and don't mind it sleeping when nobody's online.
Oracle Cloud Free Tier
Best for: Confident tinkerers willing to install and run a server themselves on the Always Free Services in an Oracle Cloud account.
playit.gg
Best for: Players already running a server on their own PC who want friends to join with no port forwarding, using its free tier.
Server.pro
Best for: Newcomers who want to try a hosted server on a free trial with no credit card required, with mods and plugins supported.
Free host, free trial, free tunnel or free tier?
Here's what the providers say on their own pages. Aternos says 'Minecraft servers. Free. Forever.', and its sister service exaroton says 'No payment method required for trial'. Minehut's title is 'Free Minecraft Server Hosting', and its cookie notice says ads 'keep free servers free'. FreeMcServer's title is 'Free Minecraft Server Hosting 24/7', Minefort says 'Free Server Hosting' and Falix says you can 'start for free'.
Server.pro shows 'Free Trial Available'. playit.gg says 'No port forwarding required' for a server you run on your own machine. The big clouds are different again: Oracle's page is titled 'Oracle Cloud Free Tier', and Google's lists '20+ products with free tier'.
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So here's what nobody spells out up front. A free host is a shared service kept free by ads or limits, a trial ends, and a cloud free tier means you install, secure and run the server yourself. They're all free in a sense, but they ask very different things of you.
What each free option asks of you
- Free hosts. The easiest route: sign up, pick a version and share the address. Expect ads, queues or servers that sleep when empty and wake when someone joins, plus an upgrade offer if you want it online all day.
- Free trials. A hosted server with the full panel for a limited period. Good for testing a modpack or a host before you decide, but plan for the trial to end.
- A tunnel for your own PC. You run the server on your own computer and the tunnel makes it reachable without opening router ports. It's only online while your PC is on.
- Cloud free tiers. You create a virtual machine, install Java and the server software, open the right ports and keep it updated. Most of the hard work is yours, and you'll need to watch the free usage limits.
Which free route suits your group
For a few friends who want to play tonight, a free host is the obvious start. If you've got a decent PC that's on anyway, a tunnel keeps your world on your own machine. If you're comfortable with Linux and like a project, a cloud free tier can work, but it's a weekend of setup, not five minutes. And if you're testing a big modpack, a trial gives you a hosted server to see whether your group sticks with it.
Haven't got the game yet? My guide on how to download Minecraft for PC covers the legitimate routes, and my roundup of free PC games you can claim has more to play while you wait.
Free server mistakes to avoid
- Picking the wrong edition. Java and Bedrock players don't connect by default, so check what your group plays first.
- Forgetting backups. Download a copy of your world regularly, because a free service can change its terms.
- Sharing your home address. If you host on your own PC, use a tunnel rather than handing your IP address to strangers.
- Leaving a cloud server unpatched. A machine you built yourself is yours to secure.
- Expecting 24/7 uptime. Many free servers sleep when empty, which is fine for friends but not for a public server.
Do you make a free Minecraft server hosting service? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free Minecraft hosting
Start with a free host if you just want to play with friends, and accept the ads or the sleeping server as the deal. If that gets annoying, the next step is a trial on a hosted server, or a tunnel if your own PC is up to it. Only go the cloud free tier route if you enjoy setting up servers, because nobody will fix it for you. Whatever you choose, keep a backup of your world on your own computer.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there really free Minecraft server hosting?
Yes. Several hosts say on their own pages that their servers are free, usually kept free by ads, limits or servers that sleep when nobody's online.
Do free Minecraft servers stay online 24/7?
Not always. Some free servers sleep when empty and wake when a player joins, and staying online all day is often what the upgrade is for. Check the host's own page.
Can I host a Minecraft server on my own PC for free?
Yes. You can run the server software on your own computer, and a tunnel service lets friends join without port forwarding. The server is only online while your PC is on.
Can I use a cloud free tier for a Minecraft server?
You can, but you'll create the virtual machine, install the server and keep it secure yourself, within the provider's free usage limits.
Do free Minecraft hosts support Bedrock?
Some do. Several list both Java and Bedrock, so check the host's page for the edition your group plays.
Is a free trial the same as free hosting?
No. A trial gives you a hosted server for a limited period, while a free host aims to stay free with ads or limits.
