Aternos: free Minecraft server hosting

What Aternos is

Aternos is a hosting platform founded in 2013 by the German developer Mathias Bergen. It offers free Minecraft servers paid for entirely by ads: no subscriptions, no premium plans, no hidden fees. For more than a decade it has been the default choice for anyone who wants to set up a server for friends without spending anything.

The model is simple. Aternos keeps a huge pool of virtual machines and hands them out to users on demand. When you want to play, you start your server, and when you're done it shuts down and the resources go back into the pool. That way one physical machine serves a dozen or so servers in turn, and the whole thing stays viable without charging users any money.

By its own figures, Aternos hosts more than 25 million registered servers. That is an astronomical number, and it explains why the queue to start a server can feel long.

What Aternos supports

• Vanilla: the plain Minecraft Java server from Mojang, every current release
• Paper, Spigot, CraftBukkit: servers that support Bukkit/Spigot plugins
• Forge: servers with mods for Java Edition
• Fabric: a lighter alternative to Forge, growing in popularity
• NeoForge: a newer fork of Forge, supported only recently
• Ready-made modpacks: RLCraft, SkyFactory, All the Mods, Valhelsia and hundreds more
• Bedrock (Nukkit, PocketMine): limited support, practically not worth it

Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version for phones, consoles and Windows 10/11) has its own separate servers. Aternos supports it through the Nukkit or PocketMine engine, but the plugin ecosystem there is much thinner than on Java. If your friends are split between Java and Bedrock, you will need Geyser, which we cover below.

Setting up a server step by step

The whole process, from signing up to a running server, takes about 10 minutes. Here is how to do it:

1. Create an account

Go to aternos.org and click "Register". All you need is a username and a password. An email address is optional, but worth adding so you don't lose access to your server. One Aternos account = one server.

2. Pick the software and version

After you log in, click "Create Server". You will see a list of available software. For a server where you play standard survival with friends, the best choice is Paper 1.21.x: it is faster than Vanilla and supports plugins. If you are planning a server with no modifications, Vanilla works too, but it gains nothing over Paper's performance.

Pick the newest stable game version unless all your players have an older client. Minecraft versions are not backward compatible: a player on 1.20.4 can't join a 1.21.4 server.

3. Start the server

After saving your settings, go back to the server dashboard and click the green "START" button. This is where the first thing that may surprise you shows up: the queue system. If there are a lot of other users, you are put in a queue and have to wait. With little traffic the server starts in 10-30 seconds. At peak load it can take more than ten minutes.

4. Connect to the server

The server address is shown at the top of the page and looks something like this: yourname.aternos.me. Copy it and paste it into Minecraft's "Server Address" field. The default port (25565) is already built into the address, so you don't need to type it separately.

Installing plugins

Plugins only work on engines that support the Bukkit API: Paper, Spigot and CraftBukkit. You can't install plugins on Vanilla, Forge or Fabric (Fabric has mods, not plugins, which is a different architecture).

How to install a plugin through the Aternos panel

1. In the server panel, click the "Software" or "Plugins" tab
2. Type the plugin name in the search box. Aternos searches Bukkit, Spigot and Hangar
3. Click "Install" next to the plugin you want
4. Start or restart the server. The plugin loads on the next start

You can also install a plugin by hand: download the .jar file from SpigotMC or Hangar, then upload it through the "Files" tab into the /plugins folder.

Popular plugins for Aternos

• EssentialsX: the /home, /warp, /tpa and /kit commands, an absolute must-have
• LuckPerms: rank and permission management
• WorldEdit: mass terrain editing, essential for building
• WorldGuard: protects regions from griefing
• Vault: a library that many other economy plugins need
• CoreProtect: logs player actions and lets you roll back griefing
• Geyser + Floodgate: a Java-Bedrock bridge that lets mobile and console players join a Java server

You will find the full list of plugins with descriptions in our Minecraft plugin catalog.

Configuring plugins

After its first launch, every plugin creates a config folder in /plugins/PluginName/. The config file is usually config.yml. Edit it through the "Files" tab in the Aternos panel. Remember that after changing a config you usually only need to reload the plugin or the server; there is no need to shut it down.

Installing mods

Mods are extensions that change the game's code from the ground up: they add new blocks, mechanics and dimensions. Unlike plugins, they need a matching engine (Forge or Fabric) and usually have to be installed both on the server and on every player's client.

Mods through the Aternos panel

1. Make sure the server runs Forge or Fabric (change the software in the settings)
2. Go to the "Mods" tab
3. Search for a mod by name. Aternos searches CurseForge and Modrinth
4. Click "Install" and wait for the download
5. Start the server. The mod loads automatically

Ready-made modpacks

Instead of collecting mods by hand, you can pick a ready-made modpack when you create the server. Aternos offers hundreds of ready-made packs from CurseForge. Popular picks:

• RLCraft: extreme survival, a challenge for experienced players
• SkyFactory 4: skyblock with extensive automation
• All the Mods 9: a huge pack for tech mod fans
• Better Minecraft: a Vanilla expansion that keeps the feel of the original
• Pixelmon: Pokémon in Minecraft

With modpacks, remember that all players must have the identical pack version installed locally. The easiest way is to use launchers like the CurseForge app or Prism Launcher, which sync versions automatically.

Limits: queue, RAM, slots

Aternos is free, but it isn't magic. Here are the limits you have to live with:

The queue system

This is the biggest limitation of Aternos and the source of frustration for millions of users. Before your server starts, it goes into a global queue of all the servers waiting for resources. At peak hours (evenings, weekends) the wait can be 5-15 minutes. At night or early in the morning it is a dozen seconds or so.

There is no trick to skip the queue. Aternos deliberately doesn't offer a "premium, no queue" option, which is a surprising approach for a free service. If a regular 10-minute wait to start is unacceptable for your group, that is a clear sign it is time to look for paid hosting.

Automatic shutdown

The server shuts down automatically after 5 minutes with no players. There is no "keep the server online 24/7" option. That rules Aternos out for anything that has to run non-stop: auctions, schedules, automatic events, AFK farms.

Allocated RAM

Aternos assigns resources dynamically, so you have no control over the amount of RAM. In practice, standard Paper servers usually get 2-4 GB. For 5-10 players on plain survival that is enough. For bigger groups or heavy modpacks, it isn't.

You also can't choose the server's geographic location. Aternos decides where to run it. Depending on where you live, that can mean higher ping if the server ends up in the US or Asia.

No fixed IP or custom domain (on the free plan)

The address you get is a .aternos.me subdomain. You can't attach your own domain. The IP address can change between sessions, which is why it is important to use the domain name, not the IP.

Missing features

• No BungeeCord / Velocity (a network of linked servers)
• No console access over SSH or FTP, only the browser panel
• No schedule for automatic restarts (the server shuts itself down once it is empty anyway)
• No automatic backups (you can download the world by hand through "Files")

Terms of service

Aternos prohibits hosting commercial servers: you can't sell ranks, run an item shop or make money in any other way from a server hosted there. If you plan to monetize, go for paid hosting from the start.

Server configuration

The Aternos panel has an "Options" tab with a graphical interface for the basic settings. For advanced configuration you use the "Files" tab and edit the files by hand.

Basic settings (Options tab)

• Game mode: Survival, Creative, Adventure, Spectator
• Difficulty: Peaceful, Easy, Normal, Hard
• World seed: you can enter a seed before the first start
• Whitelist: only invited players can join
• PvP mode: turn combat between players on or off
• Player limit: the maximum number of simultaneous connections
• Online mode: turn it off ONLY for clients without a paid account (Minecraft Java without a purchase)

server.properties: editing by hand

The full Vanilla and Paper server configuration lives in the server.properties file, which you can reach through "Files". Key parameters:

• max-players: the player limit (default 20)
• view-distance: chunk render distance (default 10, lower it to 6-8 on Aternos)
• simulation-distance: how far redstone and entities are simulated (lower it to 4-6)
• spawn-protection: the spawn protection radius in blocks (0 = disabled)
• motd: the server description shown in the in-game server list

On Aternos it is especially important to lower view-distance and simulation-distance, because they directly affect RAM usage and the server's TPS. With the default values, a server for 10 players will lag. Set view-distance to 6-8 and simulation-distance to 4-5.

Operators and the whitelist

To make a player an operator (access to operator commands), use the server console in the Aternos panel and type op PlayerName. To add a player to the whitelist, type whitelist add PlayerName. Remember that the whitelist has to be turned on (in the Options tab or with whitelist on), otherwise anyone can join even if you have added people to the list.

Managing the world

The "Files" tab gives you access to the world folder. You can:

• Download the whole world as a .zip file: do this regularly as a backup
• Upload an existing world from your local Minecraft
• Reset the world by deleting the folder and restarting the server
• Edit data (for example a player's NBT) with offline tools

Domains and IP addresses

Every Aternos server gets an address in the format yourname.aternos.me, where "yourname" is the name you chose at sign-up. That address is fixed: it doesn't change between sessions, even if the IP changes behind the scenes. It is the only free "domain" Aternos offers.

A custom domain on Aternos: is it possible?

Technically no, because Aternos doesn't support custom domains. But you can work around it with an SRV record in your domain's DNS. If you own a domain (for example mc.yoursite.com), you can set an SRV record that points to yourname.aternos.me with the right port. Players then connect through mc.yoursite.com and the traffic goes to Aternos.

This works, but it has a limitation: the port has to be correct, and Aternos may change it. It is more reliable to simply remember the .aternos.me address.

Server port

The standard Minecraft port is 25565 and it is built into the protocol, so you don't have to add a port to the yourname.aternos.me address. Aternos may sometimes assign a different port, in which case the address looks like yourname.aternos.me:25566. Check the current address in the panel before every session.

Aternos vs paid hosting

Aternos is great for getting started, but it won't replace paid hosting once your needs grow. Here is an honest comparison:

When Aternos is enough

• You play occasionally with 2-10 friends, not every day
• You don't mind waiting in the queue before each session
• You don't need the server online 24/7
• You are testing a configuration or learning server administration
• You don't plan to monetize

When you need paid hosting

• You want a server available around the clock with no queue
• You are planning for more than 15-20 players at once
• You need a fixed IP or your own domain
• You run a server with ranks, a shop and events
• You use heavy modpacks that need 6+ GB of RAM
• You need automatic backups and an uptime SLA

What paid hosting costs

Good paid Minecraft hosting in Poland costs 15-30 PLN a month for a server for 10-20 players with 4 GB of RAM. For 20-50 players and 8 GB of RAM it is 40-80 PLN a month. Compared with the frustration of the Aternos queue, that is a very reasonable expense for a group that plays regularly. You will find more about the paid options in our guide to free and cheap Minecraft hosting.

Alternatives: Minehut and PloudOS

Aternos is not the only free hosting option. It is worth knowing the alternatives, because each has different strengths.

Minehut

Minehut is an American platform with a different approach: servers are always online, with no queue. That sounds better, but there is a catch: the free plan has a very small player limit (3-5 at once) and limited resources. The interface is simpler than Aternos, but the configuration options are much thinner. Minehut works well for quick testing, or when you want a server available at any time without waiting, but only for a very small group.

PloudOS

PloudOS offers a free plan with guaranteed RAM and no queue, but the limits are strict: the free plan gives you 512 MB of RAM, which barely covers an empty Paper server. The "Plus" plan for a few euros a month is far more sensible. PloudOS has good availability of European servers, which means lower ping for European players than on Aternos.

Comparison summary

• Aternos: the best configuration options, free with no slot limits, but with a queue and automatic shutdown
• Minehut: no queue, always online, but a limit of 3-5 players on the free plan
• PloudOS: European servers, low ping, a free plan that is too weak (512 MB)

For a group of up to 15 players that can put up with the queue, Aternos wins. If round-the-clock availability for a small group is the priority, go with Minehut. You will find the full comparison in the guide on how to create a Minecraft server.

Practical tips for Aternos users

Lower view-distance right after the first start

This is the most important optimization on Aternos. In the server.properties file set view-distance=6 and simulation-distance=4. The server will be much more stable, and players will barely notice the difference in normal play.

Use Paper instead of Spigot

Paper is a fork of Spigot with hundreds of performance fixes. On Aternos, with its limited resources, the difference is noticeable: TPS (ticks per second) will be higher and the server will lag less often. Pick Paper when you create the server, or change the software in the settings.

Make regular backups

Aternos doesn't make automatic backups. Once a week, go into "Files", find the world folder and download it as a ZIP. There is no version history: if the world gets corrupted, you lose everything. A few minutes a week spent on backups can save months of work.

Set up the whitelist before inviting players

By default Aternos generates a public address, so anyone who knows it can join. If you don't want strangers on your server, turn on the whitelist before the first start. In the Options panel or through the console: whitelist on, then whitelist add PlayerName for each person.

Plan sessions in advance

Tell your players to log in around the same time, because the server won't run until you start it through the panel. A good habit is for the organizer to start the server 5-10 minutes before the agreed time, so the queue has time to clear.

Check version compatibility

A common problem on Aternos is a mismatch between the client and server versions. Before a session, ask everyone which Minecraft version they have installed and set the server to the same one. Alternatively, install the ViaVersion plugin, which lets players with newer clients connect to an older server.

Configure Paper through its config files

Besides server.properties, Paper has its own config files, config/paper-global.yml and config/paper-world-defaults.yml. That is where you will find advanced optimization options, including entity limits per chunk, hopper settings and chunk loading optimizations. On an Aternos server it is especially worth lowering max-entity-collisions.

FAQ: common questions about Aternos

Is Aternos really free?

Yes, Aternos is completely free: there is no paid plan. The platform is supported by the ads shown in the panel. The downside is the queue system: before your server starts, you may wait anywhere from a few seconds to over ten minutes, depending on the load on Aternos' servers.

How many players can play on Aternos at once?

Aternos doesn't impose a hard slot limit in the technical sense: you can set any number in the configuration. In practice, though, with a small amount of RAM (usually 2-4 GB allocated by Aternos), 5-15 players can play comfortably on standard survival. With heavy modpacks that number drops to 3-8 players.

How long does an Aternos server stay up with no active players?

Aternos automatically shuts the server down after 5 minutes with no player online. This is one of the platform's main limitations: the server can't run in the background for scheduled-task plugins or permanent infrastructure. Every start means going through the queue.

Related pages

• Aternos: how to create a server step by step
• Aternos review: limits and rating of the free hosting
• Free Minecraft server hosting: platform comparison
• How to create a Minecraft server: complete guide
• Paper vs Spigot: which one should you pick?
• Minecraft plugin catalog
• Minecraft server list