Aternos vs Shockbyte
A side-by-side comparison of Aternos and Shockbyte for Minecraft servers, from the prices and features each host publishes. Updated November 2026.
The short answer
Aternos is a good fit for playing with a few friends for free. Shockbyte is a good fit for first-time server owners.
Key differences
- Aternos has no per-GB price to compare (it’s mainly a free host); Shockbyte costs $2.99 per GB.
- Only Aternos has a free plan.
- Shockbyte offers free backups (not stated for Aternos).
- Shockbyte offers 24/7 support (not stated for Aternos).
Side by side
| Feature | Aternos | Shockbyte |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | Free host | 8.0 / 10 |
| Price per GB | Free | $2.99 |
| Starting price | $0 | $2.99/mo |
| 4 GB server | — | $11.96 |
| 8 GB server | — | $23.92 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Locations | Not stated | 16 |
| Regions | Not stated | North America, Europe, Asia, Australia & NZ |
| Bedrock | Yes + crossplay | Yes |
| Modpacks | Yes | Yes |
| Free backups | Not stated | Yes |
| DDoS protection | Not stated | Yes |
| Root access | No | No |
| 24/7 support | Not stated | Yes |
| Refund window | Not stated | 3 days |
| Control panel | Aternos panel | Shockbyte control panel (own) |
| Hardware | Not stated | AMD EPYC 4465 CPUs, DDR5 RAM, NVMe |
Highlighted cells are better on that line. Prices are estimated from each host’s price per GB; confirm exact plans on their sites.
Aternos
Good:
- Completely free
- Java and Bedrock, with Geyser crossplay
- Modpacks and plugins
Watch out for:
- Queue to start the server
- Not online 24/7
- Lag with many players
Checked on Aternos’s site on 11 November 2026.
Shockbyte
Good:
- Beginner-friendly control panel
- Automatic backups included
- No player slot limit
Watch out for:
- Plans top out at 16 GB
- Higher prices in Asia-Pacific
- Short 72-hour refund window
Checked on Shockbyte’s site on 11 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aternos or Shockbyte better for Minecraft?
Aternos is a good fit for playing with a few friends for free. Shockbyte is a good fit for first-time server owners.
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- Shockbyte vs BisectHosting
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- Shockbyte vs Nodecraft
- Shockbyte vs Hostinger
- Shockbyte vs Godlike.Host
- Shockbyte vs Server.pro
- Shockbyte vs ScalaCube
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