How to create a Minecraft server yourself? The complete guide

Creating a Minecraft server can be done in two ways: self-hosting on your own machine (free but technical and limited) or via a turnkey Minecraft host (paid, but ready in seconds). Here are both, step by step.

Method 1: self-host on your PC

1. Install Java

The Minecraft Java Edition server runs on Java. Install the latest version of Java (JRE 21+ for recent versions of the game).

2. Download the server.jar

Get the official server.jar from the Minecraft website, place it in a dedicated folder, then launch it once: it generates the files, including eula.txt (set it to true) and server.properties.

3. Set the RAM and launch

Launch the server with a suitable memory parameter, for example java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar nogui. The server.properties configuration is detailed in our guide How to configure a Vanilla Minecraft server.

4. Open the port (the most annoying part)

For your friends to connect from outside, you need to open port 25565 on your router (port forwarding / NAT) and share your public IP. This is where most beginners get stuck: dynamic IP, firewall, CGNAT with certain ISPs…

The limits of self-hosting

• Your PC has to stay on at all times for the server to be reachable.
• It shares power with your other uses → lag when you play on the same machine.
• No Anti-DDoS protection: exposing your personal IP is risky.
• Backups, updates, security: it's all on you.

Method 2: use a host (the simplest)

A host removes the entire technical side: no port to open, no IP to expose, a server online 24/7. At Fly-Serv, creation is instant: you choose your plan, the server is delivered in seconds with an address ready to share, and the FlyPanel panel lets you start, install mods and manage files with one click.

Simple rule: to test with friends over a weekend, self-hosting is enough. For a permanent, smooth server, a host is more economical in time… and often in money.

Conclusion

If you're starting out or aiming for a stable community, create your Minecraft server with Fly-Serv from €1.99/month. Wondering what it really costs by RAM? See How much does a Minecraft server cost?