Hamachi vs Playit.gg vs Paid Hosting for Minecraft (2026)
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
