Aternos and Minehut are the two most popular free Minecraft server hosts. Both have significant limitations compared to paid hosting.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Aternos | Minehut |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free (with paid upgrades) |
| RAM | Shared, varies | 1 GB free, up to 12 GB paid |
| Player limit | No hard limit | 10 free, more with paid |
| Server sleeping | Yes, sleeps when empty | Yes, sleeps when empty |
| Queue to start | Yes, can be long | Usually faster |
| Modpack support | Yes (CurseForge packs) | Limited |
| Plugin support | Yes | Yes |
| Custom JAR | Yes | Limited |
| Bedrock support | Via Geyser | Yes |
| Uptime guarantee | None | None |
| Ads | Yes, on dashboard | Yes, on dashboard |
When Aternos Is Better
- You want modpack support (Forge, Fabric, NeoForge)
- You need custom server JARs
- You play modded Minecraft
- You do not mind queue waits
When Minehut Is Better
- You play vanilla or lightly modded
- You want faster server startup
- You prefer a simpler dashboard
- You want to upgrade to paid tiers later
Shared Limitations
Both free hosts:
- Sleep servers when no players are online
- Provide no uptime guarantee
- Use shared hardware with unpredictable performance
- Have limited storage
- Do not support heavy modpacks like ATM10 well
- Show ads on the dashboard
When to Move to Paid Hosting
Upgrade to paid hosting when:
- Your server sleeps and players cannot join spontaneously
- You have more than 5-10 regular players
- You want modpacks with 8+ GB RAM requirements
- You need 24/7 uptime without sleeping
- Performance is inconsistent during peak hours
A Space-Node server starts at 2.70 EUR/month with dedicated resources, NVMe storage, and no sleeping.
FAQ
Is Aternos or Minehut better? Aternos is better for modded Minecraft. Minehut is simpler for vanilla or plugin servers.
Are Aternos and Minehut really free? Yes, but with limitations: sleeping servers, shared resources, queue times, and ads.
Can I run ATM10 on Aternos or Minehut? ATM10 needs 10-16 GB RAM. Neither free host provides enough resources for a stable ATM10 experience.
Related: Best free Minecraft server hosting 2026, FalixNodes review, Exaroton review