Aternos vs Sparked Host
A side-by-side comparison of Aternos and Sparked Host 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. Sparked Host is a good fit for small servers on a tight budget.
Key differences
- Aternos has no per-GB price to compare (it’s mainly a free host); Sparked Host costs $1.00 per GB.
- Only Aternos has a free plan.
- Sparked Host offers 24/7 support (not stated for Aternos).
Side by side
| Feature | Aternos | Sparked Host |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | Free host | 7.8 / 10 |
| Price per GB | Free | $1.00 |
| Starting price | $0 | $1.00/mo |
| 4 GB server | — | $4.00 |
| 8 GB server | — | $8.00 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Locations | Not stated | 9 |
| Regions | Not stated | North America, Europe, Australia & NZ, Asia |
| Bedrock | Yes + crossplay | Yes |
| Modpacks | Yes | Yes |
| Free backups | Not stated | No |
| DDoS protection | Not stated | Yes |
| Root access | No | No |
| 24/7 support | Not stated | Yes |
| Refund window | Not stated | 24 hours |
| Control panel | Aternos panel | Apollo Panel |
| Hardware | Not stated | Budget: Xeon E5-2698 v4, DDR4 |
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.
Sparked Host
Good:
- Plans from $1 a month (1 GB)
- Bedrock options include Vanilla, Nukkit and PocketMine
- Modpack and plugin installers
Watch out for:
- Backups cost extra
- Very short refund window
- Older Xeon CPUs on Budget plans
Checked on Sparked Host’s site on 11 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aternos or Sparked Host better for Minecraft?
Aternos is a good fit for playing with a few friends for free. Sparked Host is a good fit for small servers on a tight budget.
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