Ever wanted to build your own Minecraft Bedrock world and invite friends to join from anywhere? Setting up Minecraft Bedrock hosting can turn your creative visions into an online reality—but figuring out how can feel overwhelming.
Knowing how to host makes it easy to customize gameplay, control who joins, and keep your world running smoothly. In this article, you’ll find simple steps, helpful tips, and everything you need to start hosting your own Bedrock server with confidence.
What Is Minecraft Bedrock Hosting?
Minecraft Bedrock hosting refers to renting or setting up a dedicated online server specifically for the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft. This edition is designed for cross-platform play, allowing friends to build, survive, and adventure together on different devices like mobile, console, and Windows 10 PCs. By using Bedrock hosting, you gain full control over your Minecraft world, unlock better performance, and invite friends or communities to join at any time — even when your device is offline.
Why Choose Bedrock Hosting?
While you can play Minecraft locally or on Realms, Bedrock hosting delivers several distinct advantages:
- More Control: Install mods, tweak settings, and set up custom game rules without limits.
- 24/7 Access: Your world is always online, so anyone can join whenever they like.
- Better Performance: Hosting providers use powerful hardware, ensuring less lag and smoother gameplay.
- Expandability: Play with many friends or open your server to a broader community.
- Backups and Security: Providers often include automated backups so your progress is always safe.
- Cross-Platform: Bedrock servers welcome players from mobile, Windows 10, Xbox, Switch, and more.
Key Features to Look For in Bedrock Hosting
Not all server hosts are created equal! Here are the most important features to consider when choosing a hosting provider:
- Uptime Guarantee: Look for companies that offer at least 99.9% uptime for uninterrupted play.
- Global Locations: The closer a server is to your players, the lower the connection lag.
- Performance: Fast CPUs, plenty of RAM, and SSD storage make a difference.
- Easy Management: Intuitive panels (e.g., control panels for starting, stopping, and customizing your server).
- Instant Setup: Get started quickly with instant or near-instant server deployment.
- Scalability: Upgrade RAM, slots, or storage as your community grows.
- Plugin/Addon Support: Some hosts allow easy use of mods, addons, or plugins.
- Backups: Automated backups keep your worlds safe.
- DDoS Protection: Security features protect your server from attacks.
- Customer Support: 24/7 support helps fix issues fast.
Popular hosting companies like BisectHosting, Apex Hosting, Nodecraft, and Shockbyte are known for offering many, if not all, of these features.
How To Host a Minecraft Bedrock Server – Step-by-Step
Here’s how you can get your own Bedrock server online, even if you’re new to server management:
1. Choose a Hosting Provider
Start by picking a provider that matches your needs. Look for reviews about performance, ease of use, customer support, and price. Well-known providers usually offer free trials or money-back guarantees so you can test before fully committing.
2. Select Your Server Plan
Most hosts give you several choices based on:
- Number of player slots
- Amount of RAM or memory
- Storage size
- Location of the physical server
Start with a plan that matches your group’s size. You can always upgrade as your community grows.
3. Customize and Launch
Once you’ve purchased a plan, you’ll get access to a control panel. Here’s what to do next:
- Pick “Bedrock Edition” as your server type.
- Adjust Game Settings (difficulty, world size, PvP, etc.).
- Add Mods or Resource Packs if supported by your host.
- Set Whitelists or Permissions to control who can join.
- Start Your Server (often just one click).
Your server is now live! You’ll receive an IP address for friends to connect to.
4. Invite Players
Share your server’s IP address and Bedrock port number. Most hosts will provide clear instructions for joining from any compatible device.
5. Manage & Maintain
Regularly check your control panel for:
- Performance monitoring
- Updating server software
- Managing backups
- Moderating player activity
Most control panels are designed so even newbies can handle basic tasks confidently.
Benefits of Using Hosted Minecraft Bedrock Servers
Let’s break down what makes hosting the best choice for dedicated players and communities:
- Always-On Worlds: Your world stays online even when your personal device is off.
- Customizability: Set unique rules, install plugins, and build a server tailored to your group’s style.
- Community Building: Easily support large numbers of simultaneous players.
- Performance: Hosts use optimized hardware, providing less lag and fewer crashes than self-hosting.
- Inclusivity: Support for cross-platform play (Xbox, PlayStation, Windows 10, Switch, mobile).
- Automated Backups: Restore your world to a previous state in case of accidents or griefing.
- Support: Most providers offer helpful staff, tutorials, and troubleshooting.
Challenges and Considerations
While Minecraft Bedrock hosting brings many benefits, be aware of some common challenges:
1. Cost
Unlike Realms, third-party hosting is a monthly or yearly expense. Prices range based on server specs, location, and included features. See “Cost Tips” below for more on saving.
2. Mod Limitations
Bedrock Edition supports limited plugins compared to Java Edition. Always confirm your provider’s mod/addon support if this is important to you.
3. Setup Complexity
While control panels are user-friendly, customizing mods or advanced settings may still require some technical know-how.
4. Security
Managing a public server requires diligence. Assign strong passwords, keep plugins updated, and utilize provided security tools.
5. Updates
Minecraft updates can sometimes disrupt server compatibility. Hosts usually handle updates, but double check before releasing a new version to players.
Practical Tips for a Great Hosting Experience
- Begin Small: Start with the minimum resources needed. Upgrade later as your player base grows.
- Choose Local Server Locations: Pick servers nearest your players for the best performance.
- Schedule Backups: Don’t rely solely on automatic backups; manually back up your world after big builds or events.
- Whitelist Friends: Using a whitelist helps keep unwanted guests out.
- Moderators: Assign trusted players as moderators to help manage your community and keep gameplay fun for everyone.
- Regularly Check for Updates: Keep your server software and plugins up to date for security and new features.
Cost Tips: Getting the Best Value
Hosting costs can add up, but there are ways to save:
- Pay Annually: Many providers offer discounts for annual commitments.
- Watch for Promotions: Hosting companies regularly give discounts or special deals, especially around holidays.
- Plan for Growth: Don’t overbuy resources upfront; most plans are easy to upgrade as you go.
- Free Trials: Try a host risk-free to see if their performance matches your expectations.
- Compare Features: Don’t choose based on price alone—consider support, uptime, and included backups.
Pricing generally depends on:
- Slots (number of players)
- Memory (RAM)
- Storage
- Add-ons (DDoS protection, backups)
- Server location
Most basic plans are affordable, starting at just a few dollars per month, but can increase if you want premium locations or large communities.
Standout Hosting Providers
Well-regarded companies include:
- Known for Strong Performance: Companies like Nodecraft and BisectHosting are praised for speed and reliability.
- Great for Beginners: Apex Hosting and Shockbyte both feature user-friendly panels and thorough support.
- Affordable Picks: Providers like Nitrado and Gravel Host are popular for cost-conscious gamers.
- Advanced Features: Companies like ScalaCube and Godlike offer a wide variety of plugins and advanced tools for power users.
Before you commit, compare trial periods, refund policies, and real user reviews.
Conclusion
Minecraft Bedrock hosting unlocks the freedom to play, create, and connect like never before. Whether you’re hosting friends or building an online community, a dedicated Bedrock server gives you more control, flexibility, and enhanced performance compared to local play or official Realms. By picking a reputable host, choosing the right plan, and following basic best practices, you’ll ensure your Minecraft world is always ready for adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I run mods and plugins on a Minecraft Bedrock hosted server?
Mods and plugins are more limited on Bedrock Edition than Java Edition. However, many hosts support compatible Bedrock add-ons and plugins. Check your provider’s documentation to see what’s available and compatible.
2. How many players can join my Bedrock hosted server?
This depends on your hosting plan. Entry-level plans might allow 10-20 players, while premium plans can support 100 or more. You can often upgrade your plan as your server grows.
3. Do I need technical skills to manage a Bedrock server?
Not necessarily. Most hosts provide easy-to-use control panels for starting and managing your server. For advanced customization (mods, custom worlds), some learning is involved, but hosts offer tutorials and support to help.
4. Can Bedrock servers be joined from different devices (like Xbox, Pocket Edition, Switch)?
Yes! Bedrock servers are designed for cross-platform play. Players on Windows 10, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile devices can all join, as long as they use the correct server IP and Bedrock port.
5. What happens if my server crashes or is griefed?
Most hosts provide automated backups. You can restore your world to a previous state with just a few clicks. It’s a good idea to back up your world regularly, especially after major changes or events.