It’s always fun for friends to play together to socialise or compete. It is possible today for a small group of friends to easily play Minecraft on a multiplayer server. This type of server allows a number of players to log in to the same Minecraft world at the same time to build, explore, and survive together.

However, some servers will require the group to individually subscribe at a fee for server hosting. While these paid servers have quality services and performance, you can also find several options that work for small groups without charging a fee.

Join us in this guide to find out which are the best free Minecraft server hosting options you can use to play with friends.

What Free Server Hosting Offers

While you may be happy to know there are free Minecraft server hostings, it’s better to understand what you are getting before joining. These free hosting services have their own benefits and limitations. Let’s focus on the restrictions.

First, your server may be allocated a smaller memory capacity. This is adequate for a small group of just a few individuals, but at some point, it may not accommodate one more group.

Secondly, because of limited resources that are not paid for, your server is usually put on hold if no one is online to make some savings on resources. Alternatively, in order to support their operations, the developers allow ads to pop up to make money. Others will need you to often reboot the server manually.

However, despite these few limitations that can be accepted, the free server hosting services are good for casual gameplay with family and close friends.

Here are the top free server hosting options that you may choose for small groups.

Minehut: Easy Setup

One of the best platforms that hosts Minecraft servers for both small and large groups for free is Minehut. This platform allows you to easily create your own server. You also don’t need to buy or install additional software, which can be expensive. You only follow a simple process of creating an account with a server name and you are set to go.

Minehut Minecraft servers are loved by beginner players for their user-friendliness, ease of management, and learning opportunities. Additionally, the built-in community is a home for millions of players hosted by thousands of servers.

If your group wants to see how the servers are built, server ranking platforms such as Minerank provide players with a guide to the best Minehut Minecraft servers available to help them explore different servers that work well for small groups of friends. The free hosting may support fewer players, but it’s enough for casual gameplay and you can run both Java and Bedrock servers.

Aternos: Completely Free Hosting

The second option for free Minecraft server hosting is the well-known Aternos, which offers completely free hosting. While some so-called free hosting services have hidden charges, you pay absolutely nothing on this platform. Just like in Minehut, you can run both Java and Bedrock servers as well as install mods and plugins directly from the control panel.

The only challenge experienced by those who have tried it is the downtime and being offline. And must restart the server in every play, which may take a long time before it launches due to waiting in the queue. However, Aternos remains a reliable free hosting option for small friend groups, despite these challenges.

Server.pro Free Plan

Server.pro has both paid plans for larger groups and a free hosting plan for smaller Minecraft worlds. What most users find good about it is the easy-to-use control panel. Even those with simple tech knowledge can start, stop, and configure the server without help. The platform also allows you to add features like land protection or mini-games with basic plugins.

But as with other free hosting options, your server is likely to go offline when not in use. Additionally, if many players are actively playing survival mode at the same time, the performance becomes poor.

FalixNodes: Good for Modded Servers

Our final option on the list is the FalixNodes, a free hosting platform that the majority of players have tested and used for Minecraft servers. It features mods, plugins, and a well-designed dashboard for managing your server settings and monitoring performance.

However, the interface may take a little time to grasp, especially for starters. Over time, you will learn and take charge of your server. This free server hosting is recommended for players who want to try modded Minecraft.

Conclusion

Playing Minecraft and having free server hosting options for friends is one of the most enjoyable part-time activities, especially if you are new to Minecraft multiplayer. It allows you to try operating a server, learn and perfect without spending. If your group gets more players then you may opt to upgrade to paid options.