You want friends to join your Minecraft server. The three main options: Hamachi (VPN), Playit.gg (tunnel), or paid hosting. Each has different trade-offs in cost, performance, and ease of use.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Hamachi | Playit.gg | Paid Hosting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free tier | $3 to $20/month |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy | Easiest |
| Performance | Depends on your PC | Depends on your PC | Consistent |
| Player limit | 5 (free) | Unlimited | Plan-based |
| Uptime | Only when your PC is on | Only when your PC is on | 24/7 |
| Port forwarding needed | No | No | No |
Hamachi
Hamachi creates a virtual network (VPN) between your friends.
How it works:
- Install Hamachi on your PC and every friend's PC
- Create a network
- Friends join the network
- Connect to your Hamachi IP in Minecraft
Pros:
- Free for up to 5 users
- Works through any firewall
- No port forwarding
Cons:
- Every player must install Hamachi
- Free limit of 5 users per network
- Adds latency through the VPN layer
- Can interfere with other network apps
- Old technology that most people have moved away from
Playit.gg
Playit.gg creates a tunnel from your PC to a public address.
How it works:
- Install the Playit.gg agent on your server PC
- Get a public address (e.g., something.joinmc.link)
- Share the address with friends
- Friends connect directly without installing anything
Pros:
- Free, no player limits on the free tier
- Players do not need to install anything
- Lower latency than Hamachi
- Works through any firewall
Cons:
- Still depends on your PC staying on
- Your internet upload speed limits player count
- Adds some latency through the tunnel
- Free addresses can change
Paid Hosting
A hosting provider runs your server on dedicated hardware.
How it works:
- Pick a hosting plan
- Upload your world or start fresh
- Get a server address
- Share with friends
Pros:
- 24/7 uptime
- No impact on your PC
- Better performance than home connections
- DDoS protection
- Automatic backups
- Easy mod/plugin installation
Cons:
- Monthly cost
- Less direct control than running locally
Which Should You Choose
Choose Hamachi if: You have 2 to 4 friends and just want to play casually for a few sessions.
Choose Playit.gg if: You want free hosting, have a decent PC and internet, and do not need 24/7 uptime.
Choose paid hosting if: You want a server that is always online, supports more than 5 players, or you do not want to leave your PC running.
The Upgrade Path
Most server owners follow this path:
- Start with Playit.gg to test if the group sticks around
- If the server becomes popular, move to paid hosting
- The world transfers easily between setups
Ready for reliable hosting? View Minecraft Hosting Plans
ZeroTier for Minecraft
ZeroTier is another good home hosting test tool, but it still depends on your own PC and internet. It can help friends connect without normal port forwarding. It does not give you 24/7 uptime unless your computer stays on.
| Option | Best use | Main limit |
|---|---|---|
| Hamachi | Tiny private friend group | Free network size and extra client setup |
| Playit.gg | Easy tunnel for Minecraft | Still depends on your PC |
| ZeroTier | Private virtual LAN | Friends need setup and your PC must stay online |
| Paid hosting | World that should always be online | Monthly cost |
If you want a deeper LAN style setup, read ZeroTier and Tailscale Minecraft LAN guide. If your server should stay online without your home PC, compare Minecraft hosting.
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