What Is a Minecraft Server and What Do You Need to Make One?
A Minecraft server is a shared online world that you and your friends can join at the same time, from anywhere. Unlike LAN play, nobody has to be on the same network, and the world doesn't depend on your computer being switched on.
The traditional way to make a Minecraft server is a lot of work: install Java and the server.jar, set up port forwarding on your router, and keep your computer running the whole time — or rent a VPS, which costs money every month and requires Linux knowledge.
In this guide we'll walk through making a Minecraft server with Mobland step by step: a Minecraft host with a free plan that builds the server for you from your browser. We'll also cover server settings, inviting friends, and fixing common problems.
Ways to Make a Minecraft Server
There are three main ways to make a Minecraft server. Here are the pros and limits of each before you start.
On Your Own Computer
Download the official Minecraft server file and run it on your own machine.
Pros
- Free, with full control
- Good for LAN play with people on the same router
Limits
- Requires installing Java and using the command line
- Friends outside your network need port forwarding and a public IP
- Your computer must stay on for as long as anyone plays
Renting a VPS
Rent a Linux server and install and maintain everything yourself.
Pros
- Always on and upgradable
- Complete freedom to install mods and plugins
Limits
- Monthly cost, even when nobody is playing
- Requires Linux and server-security knowledge
- You're responsible for updates and backups
Online Minecraft Host (Mobland)
Create the server from a web dashboard; installation, maintenance, and backups are handled for you.
Pros
- Free plan, no credit card needed
- Low-latency hosting
- Create and manage in minutes, even from your phone
Limits
- Free plan: 1 server and up to 4 players at once
- Free servers stop automatically when nobody is online
Steps to Make a Minecraft Server on Mobland
Follow these six steps in order — the whole process usually takes just a few minutes.
Sign Up for Free
To make a Minecraft server, first create an account. Signing up is free and no credit card is required.
Details:
- Click 'Start Your Free Server' on the Mobland home page
- Choose Google, GitHub, or GitLab on the login page — there's no password to create
- Your dashboard opens, ready for your first server
Choose Your Edition and Server Type
Create a new server from the dashboard. The most important decision here is Java vs. Bedrock: Java for PC players, Bedrock for mobile players.
Details:
- In the dashboard, click 'Create New Server' and give it a name
- Choose the edition: Java for PC, Bedrock for mobile and Bedrock on Windows
- For Java, pick a server type: Vanilla (unmodified Minecraft), Paper / Purpur / Spigot (for plugins), Fabric (for mods and modpacks), or Forge (for Forge mods)
- Select your Minecraft version — everything from 1.20.1 up to recent releases is available
- Optionally set a custom seed or world type (flat, large biomes, amplified, and more)
- Click 'Create' — on Bedrock, first choose game mode and difficulty, and optionally turn on online mode and the allow-list so only players you add can join
Configure Server Settings
Once the server is created, you can tune the game rules to suit your group from the server's manage page.
Details:
- Set the max player count (up to 4 on the free plan)
- Difficulty: Easy, Normal, or Hard
- Game mode: Survival, Creative, Adventure, or Spectator
- Turn PvP on or off
- Enable the whitelist (or the allow-list on Bedrock) so only your friends can join
- Turn command blocks on or off (Java)
- Rename your server and, on Java, upload a custom icon — both show in the multiplayer list
- On paid plans, adjust view and simulation distance
Add Datapacks, Plugins, or Mods (Optional)
Install extra content for a different experience. Every VanillaTweaks datapack and our curated plugins are ready to pick on any plan, and paid plans can upload their own plugins and mods too.
Details:
- Datapacks (all Java servers): pick from the VanillaTweaks catalog — like Graves, Fast Leaf Decay, and Multiplayer Sleep — or upload your own (3 uploads on the free plan)
- Plugins (Paper, Spigot, and Purpur): turn on curated plugins like EssentialsX, LuckPerms, WorldEdit, WorldGuard, and voice chat on any plan, free included; uploading your own plugins needs Starter or above
- Mods (Fabric, Forge): uploads on Starter plan and above; on the free plan you can start the server from one of our curated modpacks
- Save your changes
Start the Server
Now start the server. The first start takes a little longer because that's when your world is generated.
Details:
- Click 'Start' on the server page
- Wait a few minutes until the status shows 'Online'
- Copy the server address and port from the Info tab
Connect and Invite Friends
Send the server address to your friends so they can join. Connecting works slightly differently on Java and Bedrock.
Details:
- Java: open Minecraft, go to Multiplayer, click Add Server, and enter the address and port
- Mobland Java servers don't require a premium account, so launchers like TLauncher and SKLauncher work too
- Bedrock: in the Servers tab, tap Add Server and enter the address and port — your game version must exactly match the server's
- The server shows up in your list — click it and play!
Tips After You Make Your Server
These tips keep your Minecraft server stable and hassle-free.
Automatic Backups
Your world is archived automatically every time the server stops — download the backup anytime from the Backups page.
Auto-Stop
Free servers stop automatically a few minutes after the last player leaves to save resources — just restart from the dashboard whenever you want to play.
Keep Your Free Server Active
On the free plan, a server that goes unused for 30 days is deleted. If you're taking a break, download your world archive first.
Match Versions
Every player's Minecraft version must match the server's — this is the most common cause of connection problems.
Manage From Your Phone
The Mobland dashboard is fully mobile-friendly — create, start, stop, and configure your server from your phone.
Share Server Management
From the Sharing tab, you can let a friend's account start and stop your server, so they can play even when you're offline.
Make It Recognizable
Give your server a clear name and, on Java, a custom icon — your friends will spot it instantly in their multiplayer list. Both are free on every plan.
A Permanent Address
On paid plans, connect your own domain with a static port — the address your friends saved keeps working for as long as your plan is active. You can renew early anytime so it never lapses.
FAQ: Making a Minecraft Server
Quick answers to the most common questions before and after making your server.
Is making a Minecraft server on Mobland really free?
Yes. On the free plan you can make one Java or Bedrock Minecraft server for up to 4 players at once, with no payment and no credit card. Upgrade to a paid plan for more players, more RAM, and features like plugin and mod uploads.
Should I make a Java or Bedrock server?
It depends on your players' devices. If everyone plays on PC, Java is the better choice and supports mods, plugins, and datapacks. If your friends play on mobile or Bedrock for Windows, make a Bedrock server. Java and Bedrock players can't join each other's servers.
Can I make a Minecraft server on my phone?
Yes. The whole creation and management flow runs in your browser, and the Mobland dashboard is mobile-friendly. To play on your phone, make a Bedrock server; a game installer matching your server version is available on the dashboard's connection help page.
Do I need a VPS or port forwarding?
No. The server runs on our infrastructure, so you don't need to rent a VPS or touch your router settings.
Can I join with TLauncher or other unofficial launchers?
Yes. Mobland Java servers don't require a premium Minecraft account, so launchers like TLauncher and SKLauncher work. Turn on the server whitelist to keep strangers out.
How long does it take to make a server?
Signing up and creating the server takes just a few clicks, and the first start usually takes a few minutes. Once the server is online, send the address to your friends and start playing.
How many players can play at the same time?
Up to 4 players at once on the free plan. Paid plans support more.
Will my server be online 24/7?
Free servers stop automatically after a few minutes with no players online, and you can restart them anytime from the dashboard. Your world is kept — a free server is only deleted if it goes unused for 30 days.
Can I install mods or plugins?
Yes. Fabric and Forge servers support mod uploads and Paper, Spigot, and Purpur servers support plugin uploads — both on the Starter plan and above (up to 10 on Starter, up to 20 on Standard). On the free plan, you can still start a Fabric server from one of our curated modpacks, with mods, configs, and world settings included.
Where can I get help if something goes wrong?
Open a support ticket from the dashboard or join the Mobland Discord — we're happy to help.
Common Issues and Solutions
If you run into trouble creating or joining your server, check these first.
Server won't start
Solution: Make sure your server hasn't auto-stopped due to inactivity — just click Start again from the dashboard. If it still won't start, check the server logs or open a support ticket.
Can't connect to the server
Solution: Double-check the address and port and make sure you copied them correctly. Also check that the server status is 'Online' and that your game version matches the server's.
'Outdated client' or 'Outdated server' error
Solution: Your game version doesn't match the server's. On Java, launch the same version the server was created with; on Bedrock, install the game version that exactly matches the server's.
'You are not white-listed on this server'
Solution: The server's whitelist is on. The server owner needs to add your username to the whitelist from the server's Info tab.
Server is slow or lagging
Solution: Reduce the number of concurrent players or disable unnecessary datapacks. Restarting the server usually helps too.
Datapacks don't work
Solution: Make sure you've enabled the datapacks correctly and restarted the server. Some datapacks only work with specific Minecraft versions.
Can't find my backup
Solution: Backups are automatic and only happen when the server stops — there's no manual trigger. Check the Backups page after the server has fully stopped.
Related Guides
Once your server is up, these guides help you get more out of it.
Best Minecraft Launchers
Which launcher is best for joining a Java server? TLauncher, SKLauncher, and Phoenix compared.
Make a SkyBlock Server
Turn your free server into a SkyBlock world and start on a tiny floating island.
How to Install a Modpack
Create a ready-made modpack server and install the same modpack in your launcher.
Make Your Minecraft Server Now
Sign-up is free and creating a server takes just a few minutes — no VPS, no port forwarding, no technical skills.
Create a Free Server