SMP stands for Survival Multiplayer. It is the most common type of Minecraft server where players survive together in a shared world. If you have watched Hermitcraft, Dream SMP, or similar content, those are SMPs.
How an SMP works
An SMP is a Minecraft server running in survival mode where multiple players share one world. Everyone gathers resources, builds bases, trades, and works together (or competes) in the same survival environment.
There are no game-changing plugins required. A basic SMP can run on vanilla Minecraft, although most use Paper or Spigot for performance and add plugins for convenience.
Types of SMPs
- Vanilla SMP: no plugins, no mods, pure survival experience.
- Semi-vanilla SMP: survival with quality-of-life plugins like homes, teleports, and land claiming.
- Modded SMP: survival with Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge mods that add new content.
- Hardcore SMP: survival with permanent death. If you die, you are banned until the season resets.
- Whitelisted SMP: invite-only, which keeps the community small and trusted.
What you need to start an SMP
- A Minecraft server (hosted or self-hosted).
- Paper or Spigot for performance and plugin support.
- Basic plugins: LuckPerms (permissions), EssentialsX (homes/warps), CoreProtect (grief rollback), and GriefPrevention (land claims).
- A whitelist or application system if you want a curated community.
- Clear rules about griefing, stealing, PvP, and base proximity.
How much does an SMP server cost?
For 5-10 players on semi-vanilla, 4 GB RAM is enough. That costs about EUR 3.60/month on a managed host. For 20+ players or modded SMPs, you need 8-16 GB RAM (EUR 7-28/month depending on tier).
Tips for a successful SMP
- Start small and grow. A 5-player SMP that lasts months is better than a 50-player server that dies in a week.
- Use CoreProtect so you can roll back grief without drama.
- Set a world border to keep the map size manageable.
- Plan seasons with resets every 3-6 months to keep things fresh.
The short answer
SMP means Survival Multiplayer. It is a shared survival world where players build, explore, and interact together. Start one with Paper, basic plugins, and a whitelist.
Space-Node Minecraft plans work perfectly for SMPs of any size. See our Minecraft hosting plans.