Oracle Cloud offers one of the most generous free tier plans available. The always-free A1 instance gives you up to 4 ARM cores and 24 GB RAM for free. That is enough for a solid Minecraft server. This guide covers how to set it up and what to watch out for.
Oracle Cloud Free Tier Specs
The always-free A1 instance comes with:
| Resource | Amount |
|---|---|
| CPU | 4 ARM Ampere A1 cores |
| RAM | 24 GB total |
| Storage | 200 GB block volume |
| Network | 10 TB egress/month free |
| Pricing | $0 forever (not a trial) |
This is not a trial. The free tier lasts as long as your account exists. That makes it one of the best free hosting options for Minecraft servers.
Getting Started
Step 1: Create an Oracle Cloud Account
Sign up at oracle.com/cloud. You will need a credit card for identity verification, but you will not be charged as long as you stay within free tier limits.
Step 2: Launch an A1 Instance
When creating the instance:
- Choose the A1.Compute.Standard shape
- Select ARM (AMD EPYC or Ampere) architecture
- Set the compartment to your preferred group
- Choose Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 as the image
Step 3: Configure Networking
Open ports in the security list:
- TCP 22 (SSH)
- TCP 25565 (Minecraft server)
- UDP 25565 (optional, for UDP servers)
Add the VCN's CIDR block to allow player connections.
Setting Up Minecraft
Install Java
ARM architecture means you need the ARM version of Java:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-21-jre-headless -y
java -version
Install the Server
For vanilla Minecraft:
mkdir ~/minecraft && cd ~/minecraft
wget https://piston-data.mojang.com/v1/objects/server.jar
java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar server.jar nogui
Accept the EULA:
echo "eula=true" > eula.txt
java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar server.jar nogui
Recommended JVM Arguments
For Oracle Cloud's ARM architecture:
java -Xmx6G -Xms2G \
-XX:+UseG1GC \
-XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled \
-XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 \
-XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions \
-XX:+DisableExplicitGC \
-XX:+AlwaysPreTouch \
-jar server.jar nogui
The -XX:+AlwaysPreTouch flag is important on ARM processors to avoid page fault spikes during gameplay.
Resource Management
RAM Allocation
With 24 GB total RAM, do not allocate more than 8 GB to Minecraft. The OS and other processes need memory too:
| Allocation | Max Players | Modded? |
|---|---|---|
| 2 GB | 5-10 | No |
| 4 GB | 10-20 | Light mods |
| 6 GB | 15-25 | Moderate mods |
| 8 GB | 20-30 | Heavy mods |
CPU Considerations
The ARM Ampere A1 cores are decent but not as fast as x86 single-core performance. For modded servers, expect lower player counts than on a comparable x86 machine.
Storage
The 200 GB block volume is plenty for most setups:
- Vanilla server: ~2 GB
- Modded server: 10-30 GB
- World data grows over time
Common Issues
Instance Suspension
Oracle can suspend free tier instances if you exceed resource limits. Monitor your usage in the Oracle Cloud console. If an instance is suspended, you can usually reactivate it.
No Static IP
Free tier instances do not come with a reserved static IP. The public IP can change on reboot. Use a dynamic DNS service or note the IP after each reboot.
ARM Architecture Compatibility
Some mods and plugins are x86-only. Make sure everything you use has ARM support. Most popular Minecraft mods do, but some niche ones may not.
Network Latency
Oracle Cloud free tier locations vary. Choose a region close to your player base. Available free tier regions include:
- United States (Ashburn, Phoenix)
- Europe (Frankfurt, London)
- Asia (Tokyo, Melbourne)
Alternatives to Oracle Cloud
If Oracle Cloud free tier does not work for you, consider:
| Host | Free? | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Space-Node | No | €0.90/GB |
| Aternos | Yes | Free |
| Minehut | Yes | Free |
| Shockbyte | No | $2.25/GB |
| Apex Hosting | No | $2.50/GB |
Space-Node offers affordable paid hosting starting at €0.90/GB with better performance and reliability than free options. Check our Minecraft hosting plans.
FAQ
Is Oracle Cloud really free forever? Yes. The always-free A1 instance has no expiration date. It is not a trial.
Can I run a modded server on Oracle Cloud free tier? Yes. With 24 GB RAM and 4 cores, you can run a moderately modded server. Heavy modpacks may struggle with CPU performance.
What happens if I exceed the free tier limits? Oracle will suspend your instance. You can upgrade to a paid plan or reduce resource usage.
Can I change the instance shape later? Yes. You can upgrade to a paid shape or create additional free tier instances within your quota.
Does Oracle Cloud support Minecraft Bedrock? Yes. Install the Bedrock server software and open port 19132 UDP. The ARM architecture works fine for Bedrock.