There are thousands of Minecraft mods you can use to transform the game and create unique multiplayer experiences. But, not all Minecraft server hosting providers offer mod support. Therefore, you’ll need to consider your options carefully if you want to add mods to the game.
There are a lot of ways to approach Minecraft modding, depending on which loader you use and which mods you select. Some web hosts only support specific mods or modpacks while others give you full control over which options you can install. Better yet, some web hosts even provide pre-installed options you can choose from.
In this article, we’ll talk about what to look for in a mod-friendly Minecraft server provider. Then, we’ll introduce you to three of the best options on the market. Let’s get to it!
What to Look for In a Mod-Friendly Minecraft Server Provider
Before we explain more about modded Minecraft servers, it’s important to know the difference between mods and server plugins. You might find that many Minecraft hosting services use these terms interchangeably.
However, server plugins are designed to affect the game at the server level. This means that players in the server don’t have to install anything. On the other hand, mods come installed on the server but players also need to set them up for the game.
That said, not all Minecraft hosting server providers offer mod support with their hosting packages. This might be a surprising discovery, since you can add mods to significantly enhance the Minecraft game:
There are various options available though, if you want to install mods. For example, depending on the server hosting provider, you may be able to install individual mods through launchers. Or, you might be able to set up modpacks.
But, if you are interested in setting up a modded Minecraft server, the server requirements will change. This is because, if you don’t have adequate resources, mods can negatively impact server performance.
Naturally, this depends on the server software and mods you want to use, since some mods are more resource-intensive than others, particularly in terms of RAM and CPU. To give you an idea, we’d recommend you have a modern CPU with a clock speed of at least 3.60 GHz.
Meanwhile, it’s best to look for Minecraft server hosting that offers at least 16 GB RAM allocated. This number will be even higher for more demanding mods or higher player counts.
In addition to hardware specs, you’ll also need a stable internet connection with a high upload speed. Plus, your Minecraft server hosting provider should also offer multiple launcher options, and make it easy for you to upgrade your plan if you need more resources.
3 Best Modded Minecraft Server Hosting Providers
Now that you know what to look for in a modded Minecraft server, let’s take a look at three of the best server hosting options.
#1. NameHero
NameHero is a fantastic all-round hosting service that offers dedicated Minecraft plans in addition to other game servers for Palworld, Rust, and Soulmask. What’s more, NameHero is a reputable domain registrar and email host.
One of the best parts about NameHero’s Minecraft plans is that you can see the exact server specs that you’re paying for including RAM, CPU, and storage space. Plus, there are options to set up small servers as well as Minecraft servers that accommodate over 30 players.
On top of this, NameHero handles many server maintenance tasks for you, so you can simply focus on creating the best gaming experience possible. For example, you’ll get access to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection, comprehensive backups, and free server migrations.
Better yet, NameHero provides automatic server setup for Minecraft. This means you can pretty much start playing right away after signing up for a hosting plan.
In order to install your Minecraft mods or modpacks, be sure to select “Modded Minecraft” as your Minecraft Build during the checkout process. If you happen to select another build and need to change it, then open a support ticket. Once this is selected, you can easily search and install mods via the Advanced Game Panel:
To learn more about how to install mods on your NameHero server, check out our guide.
Lastly, if you’re new to playing Minecraft, or you want to level up, you may want to check out NameHero’s gaming blog, which covers lots of practical topics. For instance, you can learn about the essentials of gameplay mechanics like SMP or building automatic farms.
Price
If you only need to support 4-8 players, you can set up a NameHero modded Minecraft server for just $4 a month. But, if you expect more than 20 players, you’ll be better off with the Diamond Minecraft server which costs $16 a month.
#2. Nitrado
Nitrado is a popular Minecraft hosting provider with three different subscription packages. It also offers server hosting for other games and TeamSpeak servers.
Like NameHero, Nitrado offers DDoS protection and backup management tools. Plus, you’ll get access to a gaming control panel where you can install server mods and plugins easily. Meanwhile, you get a choice of server locations to ensure great performance.
A unique feature of Nitrado is that you’re able to switch between over 100 games. Additionally, this hosting service supports multiple Minecraft server types using different mod loaders. And, it also enables you to switch your server between the base Minecraft setup and multiple modpacks.
Price
The downside of Nitrado is that the base plans don’t offer much RAM (and don’t specify any other specs). This means that you might need to use a custom server if you plan on running mods. That said, Nitrado offers prepaid plans and subscriptions that start at $6.59 per month for 2 GB RAM.
#3. gPortal
The final option we’d recommend to set up a modded Minecraft server is gPortal. This hosting service provides a range of dedicated Minecraft plans, other game server plans, and TeamSpeak servers.
Like Nitrado, you can choose your preferred server location, switch between games, and access DDoS protection. However, gPortal also offers unlimited player slots (with every plan) which initially seems like a benefit.
That said, the ability to host lots of Minecraft players depends on the server requirements. Therefore, if you select a plan that doesn’t have enough resources, your server’s performance may suffer if there are too many players connected.
In terms of mod support, gPortal offers a collection of over 250 modpacks that can be pre-installed on the server. Each modpack has unique requirements though, so you’ll need to make sure that it’s compatible with your preferred hosting plan.
Price
If you want to set up a Minecraft server with gPortal, the price will depend on the server requirements and the server location. To give you an idea, a Minecraft server with 2 GB RAM located in Los Angeles will cost $4.25 per month. But, you also have the option to configure a completely custom server.
Conclusion
Minecraft with mods can provide an entirely unique experience and keep players coming back to the game. However, not all Minecraft server hosting providers offer modding support. So, if you plan on using mods on your server (or you want to keep that option open), it’s important to choose a hosting provider that supports this feature.
Knowing that, we recommend that you opt for a mod-friendly Minecraft dedicated server. Here are our top three recommendations:
- NameHero: Offers a range of multiplayer servers with an instant setup process, DDoS protection, automated backups, and an advanced server control panel.
- Nitrado: Supports various server types and mod loaders, but RAM allocation is quite limited.
- gPortal: Offers 250+ modpacks and unlimited player slots, but you’ll need to make sure that you have enough resources to handle this.
NameHero provides Minecraft dedicated servers for different budgets and player slots. All plans include modding support, backup management, and DDoS protection. We also set up the Minecraft server for you – so you can start playing right away. Check out our Minecraft server plans today!
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