What Playit.gg does: it gives the Minecraft server on your own PC a public address, so friends can join without port forwarding. This guide is by Space-Node, a game server host. We are not affiliated with Playit.gg.
Official links: playit.gg, sign in to your dashboard, pricing and support docs.
Port forwarding is the number one barrier for new Minecraft server owners, because your router blocks incoming connections by default. Playit.gg solves this by creating a tunnel that lets players connect to your home server without touching router settings.
How to Use Playit.gg for Minecraft
- Start your server locally. Run a Vanilla, Paper, Fabric or Forge server on your PC on the default port 25565, and check that you can join it at
localhost. - Create a Playit.gg account. Sign up at playit.gg and download the playit program for Windows, macOS or Linux. There is also a Docker option.
- Run the agent and claim it. When the program starts, it shows a claim link. Open it, log in and add the agent to your account.
- Create a Minecraft Java tunnel. In the dashboard, add a tunnel, pick the Minecraft Java type and the free network, and point it at
127.0.0.1port 25565 if the server runs on the same PC. - Share the address. Playit gives you an address like
something.joinmc.link. Friends paste it into the Multiplayer screen in Minecraft and connect.
Leave the playit program running while people play. Closing it closes the tunnel.
Think of Playit.gg as a relay. Players connect to playit.gg's servers, which forward the connection to the agent on your PC. Only you run the agent, and players see playit's address instead of your home IP.
Playit.gg Free vs Premium
Correction, 26 September 2026: an earlier version of this section said the free plan allows one tunnel and the paid plan adds a dedicated IP. Neither matches playit.gg's pricing page, so we rewrote it from the live page.
This is what playit.gg/pricing lists on 26 September 2026:
| Free | Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0, no end date | $3 a month |
| Ports | 4 | 16 |
| Agents | 2 | 10 |
| Tunnel types | Game presets such as Minecraft Java, Minecraft Bedrock and Simple Voice Chat, plus plain UDP | All types, including plain TCP, TCP+UDP and HTTPS |
| Routing | Free global network | You choose the datacenter |
| Address | Random but static, it does not change | Adds 3 .playit.plus domains and your own domain |
| Analytics | 24 hours | Up to 7 days |
Neither plan lists a player limit or a bandwidth cap, so in practice your PC and your upload speed set the limit. For a small friend group, the free plan works fine.
TCP vs UDP Tunnels: Java, Bedrock and Voice Chat
Minecraft Java Edition uses TCP. Bedrock Edition, Geyser and Simple Voice Chat use UDP. Playit.gg has a separate tunnel type for each, all on the free plan:
| What you run | Protocol | Default local port | Playit tunnel type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java server | TCP | 25565 | Minecraft Java |
| Bedrock Dedicated Server | UDP | 19132 | Minecraft Bedrock |
| Geyser, for Bedrock players on a Java server | UDP | 19132 | Minecraft Bedrock |
| Simple Voice Chat | UDP | 24454 | MC: Simple Voice Chat |
Each of these tunnels uses one port, so a Java server with Geyser and voice chat fits inside the free plan's 4 ports. Plain TCP and TCP+UDP tunnels need Premium.
Bedrock and Geyser on Port 19132
Create a Minecraft Bedrock tunnel next to your Java tunnel. Use the playit program for it, not the playit.gg Minecraft plugin, which GeyserMC says does not support UDP tunnels. Bedrock players join with the tunnel's address and the port playit assigns to it, so copy both from the tunnel page. GeyserMC's playit.gg guide covers the Geyser config side.
Running a Bedrock Dedicated Server instead of Geyser? On 16 September 2026, playit.gg posted that recent Bedrock server builds default to the NetherNet transport. Its workaround is transport=raknet in server.properties, since the other option, a TCP/UDP tunnel, needs Premium. Check playit's NetherNet note for the current status.
For the full crossplay setup, see our Geyser and Floodgate guide.
Simple Voice Chat on Port 24454
Simple Voice Chat sends audio over UDP port 24454 by default, separate from the game connection. To run it through playit:
- Install the mod on the server and on every player's client
- Start the server once so it writes its config, then stop it
- Create an MC: Simple Voice Chat tunnel to local port 24454
- In
voicechat-server.properties(inconfig/voicechat/on Fabric, NeoForge and Forge,plugins/voicechat/on Paper), setvoice_hostto the address and port on the tunnel page - Start the server again
If voice still will not connect, see our Simple Voice Chat UDP port 24454 guide.
Custom Domains on Playit.gg
The free address is random but stays the same, so friends do not need a new one every session. For a nicer name, playit.gg sells custom domains for $1 a month each, on endings such as .playit.pub, .playit.game and .minecraft.party. Premium includes three .playit.plus domains.
Using your own domain, like play.yourname.com, counts as an external domain and needs Premium. Playit's external domain page has guides for Cloudflare, Namecheap, Porkbun and Spaceship.
Playit.gg vs Port Forwarding vs Hamachi
| Playit.gg | Port forwarding | Hamachi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Router changes | None | You open the ports | None |
| What friends install | Nothing | Nothing | The Hamachi client |
| Free limit | 4 ports, 2 agents | None | 5 computers per network |
| Paid option | $3 a month | None, it is free | From $49 a year for 6 to 32 computers |
Port forwarding gives the most direct route, with no relay in between, but it needs router access and a public IP. You open TCP 25565 for Java, plus UDP 19132 for Geyser and UDP 24454 for voice chat. If your ISP uses CGNAT, there is no public IP to forward to, and playit.gg is the easy fix. Our port forwarding guide covers the router side.
Hamachi still works for a small private group, but every friend installs it and the free plan stops at 5 computers, yours included. More in Hamachi vs Playit.gg vs hosting.
Pros of Playit.gg
- No port forwarding needed. Works behind any router, including ISPs with CGNAT.
- Free plan with no end date. The pricing page lists it at $0 forever.
- Quick setup. Run the playit program, claim the agent and create one tunnel. No router login needed.
- Works with any server software. Vanilla, Paper, Forge, Fabric, Bedrock.
- Your home IP stays private. Players connect to playit's address, not yours.
- No static IP needed. Your home IP can change without breaking anything.
Cons of Playit.gg
- Not always the closest route. Free tunnels use a global anycast network, and playit's docs say a player in North America can get routed through Singapore. Picking a region needs Premium.
- Your computer must stay on. If you turn off your PC, the server goes down.
- Limited by your home internet. Upload speed determines how many players get a smooth experience.
Fixing Common Playit.gg Problems
- "Unknown host" in Minecraft Java. Playit says your ISP's DNS failed to resolve the address. Switch your PC to a different DNS server.
- Players time out. Use Ethernet instead of WiFi and lower
view-distancein server.properties. The default is 10, and playit suggests trying 3. - High ping for one player. Have them open
ping.gl.ply.ggto see which datacenter they reach. If it is far away, a regional tunnel on Premium fixes the routing.
When Playit.gg Makes Sense
Playit.gg is a good fit when:
- Your ISP uses CGNAT, so there is no public IP to forward to
- You cannot access your router settings
- You want to test a server with friends before paying for hosting
- You have a PC that can run the server and stay on while people play
- You play with a small friend group
When a 24/7 Host Makes More Sense
Playit.gg fixes the connection, not the server. The world still goes offline whenever your PC sleeps, updates or shuts down. A hosted server makes more sense when:
- Friends want to play while you are offline
- You have more players than your upload can handle
- You run modpacks that need strong hardware
- You want DDoS protection
- You do not want to wear out your personal hardware
Space-Node's Minecraft hosting runs 24/7 with no sleep mode and includes DDoS protection on every plan, in 9 regions across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Every server gets a free .mymcserver.nl subdomain, Standard plans start at €2.70 a month for 3GB of RAM, and you can upload the world you started at home through the file manager or SFTP.
Alternatives to Playit.gg
Ngrok
Similar tunneling service with a free tier. Slightly more technical setup. GeyserMC's docs note that ngrok is TCP only, so it will not work for Bedrock players. See our ngrok and Cloudflare Tunnel guide.
ZeroTier / Tailscale
Creates a virtual LAN between devices. All players need to install the client. More secure than tunneling but requires setup on every player's machine. See our ZeroTier and Tailscale guide.
FAQ
Is Playit.gg free?
Yes. The free plan costs $0 with no end date and includes Minecraft Java, Bedrock and Simple Voice Chat tunnels, 4 ports and 2 agents. Premium is $3 a month.
Does the Playit.gg address change?
No. The free address is random but static, so the one you share keeps working.
Do my friends need to install Playit.gg?
No. Only the PC that runs the server needs the playit agent. Players just connect to the address.
The Bottom Line
Playit.gg is excellent for getting started. It removes the port forwarding headache and lets you test multiplayer Minecraft for free. When your player base grows or you need reliability, upgrade to dedicated hosting.
Outgrown Playit.gg? View Minecraft Hosting Plans
Related: Minecraft Roleplay Server Setup