Minehut and Aternos are the two most popular free Minecraft server platforms. Both let you play with friends without paying, but they work differently and have different limitations. Here is how they compare in 2026.
How they work
Aternos gives you a server that shuts down when no players are online. You start it manually or someone joins to wake it. There is a queue during busy hours. Aternos is entirely free, funded by ads on their dashboard.
Minehut keeps your server accessible through the Minehut lobby. Players join Minehut's network and connect to your server from there. Minehut also sleeps after inactivity but has a faster wake time. Minehut offers a free tier and paid upgrades.
RAM and performance
Aternos gives up to 4 GB RAM on the free plan. Performance varies because resources are shared across thousands of servers. During peak hours, expect lag spikes.
Minehut's free tier gives 1 GB RAM, which is very limited. Paid plans go higher, but the free tier barely handles more than 3-4 players with plugins.
For raw free RAM, Aternos wins. For paid upgrades, Minehut offers more flexibility.
Mod and plugin support
Aternos supports Forge, Fabric, NeoForge, and Spigot/Paper with plugin installation. You can run modpacks directly.
Minehut supports Paper/Spigot plugins but has limited modpack support on the free tier. Forge and Fabric modded servers are harder to set up on Minehut.
Uptime
Neither is 24/7. Both shut down after inactivity. Neither is suitable for a community that expects the server to be always available.
When to pick Aternos
- You want the most free RAM.
- You need modpack support (Forge, Fabric, NeoForge).
- You do not mind the startup queue.
When to pick Minehut
- You want faster server starts.
- You prefer the lobby-style connection.
- You might upgrade to a paid plan later.
When to leave both
If you have more than 5 regular players, run modpacks that need 6+ GB RAM, or want your server always online, paid hosting is the right move. Budget plans start at EUR 0.90/GB and give you 24/7 uptime, NVMe storage, and no queue.
See our Minecraft hosting plans starting at EUR 2.70/month.