How to Host a Minecraft Server on a VPS

Running your own Minecraft server gives you full control over plugins, performance, and player count — without paying per-slot fees.

#1. Pick the right plan

For up to 20 players on vanilla or Paper, 4 GB RAM is comfortable. Modded servers (Forge, Fabric) need significantly more — start at 8 GB.

#2. Install Java

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y openjdk-21-jre-headless

#3. Download and run Paper

mkdir ~/mc && cd ~/mc
wget -O server.jar https://api.papermc.io/v2/projects/paper/versions/1.21/builds/latest/downloads/paper.jar
echo "eula=true" > eula.txt
java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar server.jar nogui

#4. Open the firewall

sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp

#5. Keep it alive

Use tmux, screen, or a systemd unit so the server keeps running after you disconnect.

That's it — share your VPS IP with friends and play.