Your world, always online

Pick the edition your group plays. A player can only join a server of their own edition, unless the server bridges the two (see the next question).

• Java Edition runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. It is the edition for plugins, mods and modpacks, and the one most public servers and SMPs use.
• Bedrock Edition runs on Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. It uses add-ons instead of mods and is the only edition consoles can play.

If everyone plays on a PC, pick Java. If anyone plays on a console or a phone, pick Bedrock, or a Java server with Geyser when the PC players want plugins. Our Java and Bedrock crossplay guide covers that setup.

Yes, on a Java server running Paper or Purpur with the Geyser and Floodgate plugins. Geyser translates between the two editions, so Bedrock players on phones, tablets and Windows join the Java world, and Floodgate lets them in with their Microsoft account instead of a Java account.

Install Geyser from the Mods tab in your panel, add Floodgate from geysermc.org, then set Geyser's Bedrock port to the one shown in your panel. Every Java server comes with that extra port. Two limits: Bedrock players cannot see blocks or mobs added by Forge or Fabric mods, so crossplay suits plugin servers, and consoles cannot add a Java server directly. For a group with console players, a Bedrock server is the simpler choice.

It depends on the edition, the number of players and how many mods you run.

• Java, 2 GB: vanilla or Paper for up to 5 friends.
• Java, 4 GB: Paper with plugins for 10 to 25 players.
• Java, 8 GB: a light modpack, or a big one like All the Mods for up to 15 players.
• Java, 12 GB: a public server or a heavy modpack with a big crowd.
• Bedrock, 2 to 6 GB: Bedrock's server is far lighter, so 2 GB holds a friend group and 6 GB holds up to 50 players.

Memory is what runs out first: every mod, loaded chunk and player adds to it. If the server starts to lag, move up a plan from the dashboard and your world comes with you.

Yes, on a Bedrock server. Consoles have no Add Server button, so console players make one change: in the console's network settings, set Primary DNS to ours. Then they open The Hive in the Servers tab, which opens our menu instead, and type your server's join code. The server is saved in that menu, so next time it is one click.

Setting DNS back to Automatic brings the real featured servers back. Phones, tablets and Windows players skip all of this and add the server with its address and port.

On a Java server, open the Mods tab, search Modrinth or CurseForge and press Install. We pick the version that fits your server and install everything it depends on. Choosing a modpack switches the server to Fabric, Forge or NeoForge for you.

• Plugins (EssentialsX, LuckPerms, GriefPrevention) run on Paper and Purpur, and keep vanilla gameplay.
• Mods add blocks, mobs and dimensions, and need every player to install the same mods. Modpack launchers like CurseForge and Modrinth do that for players.

Bedrock servers use add-ons: behavior packs and resource packs. Upload a world that already has them, or add packs to the world in the Files tab.

A Realm is the simplest way to share a world, but only you and 10 friends can be online at once, you cannot open its files, and a Java Realm does not run plugins or the modpack of your choice.

A dedicated server lets you choose the player limit, install any plugin, mod or modpack, run console commands, open every file and download backups whenever you like. You can move a Realm world over by downloading it and uploading it to the server.

Yes to both. You can split the bill with up to 10 people. Each person pays an even part of the plan price plus $1 for their share, on their own card, on any billing length.

Cancel at any time from the bottom of the server's control panel. The server runs until the end of the time already paid for. If you are new to GamezServers and it is not for you, email support within the first 10% of the period you paid for, which is 72 hours on a monthly plan, for a full refund of that first payment. The plans page lists every length and price.