Minecraft server hosting for 5 players
How much RAM a server for 5 players online at the same time needs, and what that costs at each host. Updated November 2026.
| Server type | RAM needed | Cheapest | Per player |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla or Paper | 3 GB | $3.00 /mo, PebbleHost | $0.60 |
| Paper with 20 plugins | 5 GB | $5.00 /mo, PebbleHost | $1.00 |
| Light modpack | 4 GB | $4.00 /mo, PebbleHost | $0.80 |
| Large modpack | 6 GB | $6.00 /mo, PebbleHost | $1.20 |
| Bedrock server | 1 GB | $1.00 /mo, PebbleHost | $0.20 |
Rule of thumb at view distance 10. Work out your exact server in the RAM calculator.
3 GB plans for a vanilla or Paper server, cheapest first
| # | Host | Score | 3 GB / month | Per GB | From | Locations | Bedrock | Modpacks | Free backups | Refund | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PebbleHostBest for: The lowest price per GB | 7.9 | $3.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 /mo | 7 | Yes | Yes | No | 3 days | Visit |
| 2 | Sparked HostBest for: Small servers on a tight budget | 7.8 | $3.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 /mo | 9 | Yes | Yes | No | 24 hours | Visit |
| 3 | Server.proBest for: Technical users who want root access | 6.1 | $7.00 | $1.75 | $7.00 /mo | 9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Visit |
| 4 | ScalaCubeBest for: Running a free test server before paying | 5.8 | $8.01 | $2.67 | $2.00 /mo | 14 | Yes | Yes | – | No refunds | Visit |
| 5 | NodecraftBest for: Players who host several different games | 7.0 | $8.94 | $2.98 | $5.96 /mo | 27 | Yes | Yes | – | 7 days | Visit |
| 6 | BisectHostingBest for: Modpacks and players who switch between games | 8.3 | $8.97 | $2.99 | $5.98 /mo | 21 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 days | Visit |
| 7 | ShockbyteBest for: First-time server owners | 8.0 | $8.97 | $2.99 | $2.99 /mo | 16 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 days | Visit |
| 8 | Apex HostingBest for: Beginners who want hands-on support | 7.5 | $11.97 | $3.99 | $7.99 /mo | 14 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7 days | Visit |
| 9 | Godlike.HostBest for: Performance on fast CPUs | 6.2 | $12.00 | $4.00 | $7.99 /mo | 10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Visit |
| 10 | Bloom.hostBest for: Larger servers that need steady CPU | 4.2 | $12.00 | $3.00 | $12.00 /mo | 6 | Yes | Yes | – | Not stated | Visit |
| 11 | HostingerBest for: Long-term servers paid upfront | 6.5 | $19.49 | $4.87 | $19.49 /mo | 10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 days | Visit |
Tips for a 5-player server
- A small server for friends doesn’t need a premium host. A budget plan or even a free host works if you can live with its limits.
- Splitting the cost makes even a better plan cheap: see the per-player prices above.
- Choose a location near most of your players to keep ping low.
- Make sure backups are included, or set them up yourself before players start building.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM for a 5-player Minecraft server?
About 3 GB for vanilla or Paper, 5 GB with around 20 plugins, 4 GB for a light modpack and 6 GB for a large modpack. A Bedrock server needs about 1 GB.
What’s the cheapest way to host a server for 5 players?
A 3 GB plan at PebbleHost costs about $3.00 a month, or $0.60 per player if you split it. For a few friends, a free host such as Aternos also works, with queues and limits.