How much does it cost to run a modded Minecraft server?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an avid Minecraft fan, player, and server administrator for over 8 years now, this is a question I have plenty of personal experience and hard data around. Based on managing multiple public servers, let me provide some transparent cost breakdowns and considerations for running a modded Minecraft server.

Minimum Requirements: $20-$40 Per Month

For a basic modded server for just you and a couple friends, you can get an affordable hosted plan starting around $20/month including:

  • 10-20 player slots
  • 2-4GB RAM
  • Support for popular mods like Optifine and Lucky Blocks
  • Automated backups and restores

I currently use Shockbyte‘s $40/6 month starter plan to play Pixelmon and other mods with 5-10 friends with excellent performance.

Public Server for 50+ Players: $90+ Per Month

Once you start hosting for more players and additional mods, expenses increase, especially for public servers. Here are typical costs:

  • Managed Hosting: $50+/month for 50 slots, 4-8GB RAM
  • Dedicated Server: $40-$150 for hardware
  • Electricity for Server: $10-$30/month
  • Fast Internet Connection: $20+ for 25Mbps+ upload

Many performant modpacks like FeedTheBeast also require minimum 6-8GB of RAM allocated. My last public Pixelmon server with 100 max players ran me around $90/month total.

Enterprise Infrastructure for Massive Scale

At the top end, a huge public server like Hypixel costs over $100,000 per month for enterprise-grade dedicated servers, network bandwidth, infrastructure, and staff. Supporting 150,000+ concurrent players takes serious computing power!

For context, my largest modded server peaked at 500 players, utilizing a 16GB RAM dedicated server ($140/month), $60/month electricity, and required a whopping 10Gbps fiber internet line ($350/month)!

Key Cost Drivers

Based on my many years of experience operating Minecraft severs, these are key components dictating monthly costs:

1. Slots and Expected Players

More players equals more server RAM, CPU power, bandwidth needed.

2. Mods/Plugin RAM Requirements

2GB for light mods up to 16GB+ for intensive modpacks

3. Hardware vs Hosted Plans

Self-hosted provides more control but dedicated server + electrical costs add up fast.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I could talk Minecraft server infrastructure all day.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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