Skip to content
Get started

Minecraft on a VPS

Java Edition server

Install on a VPSGitHub
Category
Game servers
Hosting
Game servers
Author
Geoff Bourne (itzg)
License
Apache-2.0
Version
26.3

The script is free · VPS from $7.90 per month · installs in about 3 minutes

Install over SSH

root@vps:~# command -v docker >/dev/null || curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh; docker run -d -it --name mc --restart unless-stopped -p 25565:25565 -e EULA=TRUE -e TYPE=PAPER -e MEMORY=3G -v mc-data:/data itzg/minecraft-server

  • SystemUbuntu 24.04 · x86_64ok
  • Sourcegithub.com/itzg/docker-minecraft-serverok
  • Version26.3ok
  • Port25565/tcplisten
  • Port25575/tcplisten

✓ Minecraft 26.3 installed · about 3 minutes

root@vps:~#

Install command from the library. Output is shortened and may differ on your server.

What it is

  • Minecraft
  • Java Edition
  • Paper
  • Mods
  • Game server

Your own Minecraft: Java Edition server for friends or a community. You set the rules, world, whitelist, mods and plugins, and don't depend on someone else's servers.

Installation uses the popular itzg/minecraft-server Docker image. It downloads the right server version itself and can run Vanilla, Paper, Fabric, Forge and other builds — just change the TYPE variable.

High-clock Ryzen CPUs are well suited to Minecraft: the server mostly loads a single core.

  • Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge and other builds
  • Choose the game version with the VERSION variable
  • Automatic modpack downloads from CurseForge and Modrinth
  • server.properties settings via environment variables
  • The world is stored in a separate volume and survives updates

Recommended plan

For Minecraft: at least 3 vCPU, 5 GB RAM and 45 GB NVMe.

Minimum to run
2 vCPU · 3 GB RAM · 10 GB disk
Systems
Ubuntu 22.04 · Ubuntu 24.04 · Debian 12

How to install

Three steps in the bot or one command over SSH; installation takes about 3 minutes.

  1. 01

    Choose a plan in the bot

    Open @ExpressHost_bot and pay for a VPS. The server will be ready in about 60 seconds.

  2. 02

    Add Minecraft

    At the “Add-ons” step pick the script from the library, or run it later: Server settings → Scripts.

  3. 03

    Wait for the Done line in the logs

    docker logs -f mc

Manually over SSH

Connect to the server as root and run the command. Supported systems: Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, Debian 12.

Install command
command -v docker >/dev/null || curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh; docker run -d -it --name mc --restart unless-stopped -p 25565:25565 -e EULA=TRUE -e TYPE=PAPER -e MEMORY=3G -v mc-data:/data itzg/minecraft-server

Ports

Minecraft ports
PortProtocolPurpose
25565tcpJava Edition game port
25575tcpRCON (used inside the container, not published externally)

After installation

  1. 1.Wait for the Done line in the logs: docker logs -f mc
  2. 2.Connect in-game using the server IP (25565 is the default port)
  3. 3.Give yourself operator rights: docker exec mc rcon-cli op YourNick
  4. 4.Put plugins in /data/plugins inside the mc-data volume and restart: docker restart mc

Minecraft FAQ

Didn’t find an answer? Message @ExpressHost_SupportBot.

How many players can the plan handle?

On 3 vCPU and 5 GB RAM with Paper, 10–20 people play comfortably. Modpacks need more memory: for large packs choose 8 GB or more and raise MEMORY.

How do I update the game version?

By default the image installs the latest release. Recreate the container to pull the new version, or pin a specific one: -e VERSION=1.21.1.

Where is the world stored?

In the mc-data Docker volume (/data in the container): the world, server.properties, plugins and logs. To back up, stop the server and copy the volume.

Can I install mods?

Yes: set -e TYPE=FABRIC or -e TYPE=FORGE and put mods in /data/mods. The image downloads CurseForge and Modrinth modpacks itself.

Minecraft installs at checkout — in the bot.

Install MinecraftBuy in Telegram