Minecraft server guide
Minecraft modpack hosting: how to choose a server
A modpack server needs more planning than a small Vanilla world. The pack must match the players' client version, have enough memory to load, and stay recoverable when a mod update or configuration change goes wrong.
Free Vanilla and Paper servers available.
Choose the exact pack first
Choose a specific modpack before choosing a server size. A lightweight pack and a large kitchen-sink pack have very different memory requirements, and the individual hosting page is the source of truth for which plans can run it.
Every player should use the same modpack version as the server. If a pack changes version, check its release notes and make a backup before updating the server or asking players to update their clients.
Plan for availability and recovery
Crafty Servers' modpack-capable plans are always on and include daily backups. That is important for a shared world: players can join without waiting for someone to wake the server, and there is a recovery point if an update or accidental change goes badly.
The full panel and SFTP on paid sizes give the server owner a practical way to inspect files and manage configuration. Make one change at a time, keep a note of what changed, and restart only after a backup is complete.
Start with the listed minimum, then observe
Use the smallest listed plan that supports your chosen pack, then watch the server during the activities your group actually does: first-world generation, exploration, automation, and several players online. Upgrade when the server consistently needs more headroom, not merely because a generic guide recommends a larger number.
Pricing scales at $0.50 per GB per month. The exact starting price depends on the pack's minimum memory requirement; the hosting page lists the plans that can run it.
How to start a modpack server
Choose the pack and version
Confirm the exact pack your group wants and the version every player will install.
Open its hosting page
Use the listed minimum RAM and compatible plans rather than a generic estimate.
Create and start the server
Choose the pack during server creation and wait for its installer and first startup to finish.
Match every client
Players should launch the same pack version and then join with the server address shown in the panel.
Test before building
Have the group connect, generate some terrain, and confirm the server behaves normally before investing hours in the world.
Back up before updates
Create a recovery point, read the pack's release notes, update server and clients together, and verify the world before continuing.
Before changing or updating a modpack
- Confirm the current Minecraft, loader, modpack, and server versions.
- Create a backup and make sure the backup has completed.
- Read the pack's release notes for removed mods, world changes, or required migration steps.
- Update the server and every player's client to the same pack version.
- Start the server, inspect the log, and test the world before making another change.
Frequently asked questions
Can I host a Minecraft modpack for free?
Crafty Servers' free plan is for Vanilla and Paper only. Modpacks run on paid sizes because they require more memory and are designed for always-on hosting.
How do I know which plan runs my modpack?
Open the modpack's hosting page. Its plan list is filtered to the plans that meet that pack's memory requirement.
Why do modpack servers need backups?
A backup gives you a recovery point before a pack update, configuration change, or accidental file change. Paid modpack-capable plans include daily backups.