Free Minecraft server, play or host without paying
Looking for a free Minecraft server? Either to play on, or to host your own. What's really free, the limits of each option and the scams to avoid.
By the Linesia team · Updated · 3 min read
"Free Minecraft server" can mean two things: a server to play on without paying, or your own server without paying for hosting. We answer both.
Playing on a free server
Most Minecraft servers are free. You add the address, connect, play. What you actually pay for is elsewhere:
- the game, bought once;
- the online subscription on console: Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus or Game Pass. The console requires it, not the server. On phone and PC, there's none.
Almost every server has a store (ranks, cosmetics, items). It's optional. Before you settle on a server, check what you can do without buying anything.
Scams to avoid
Minecraft players are young, and that attracts scams. The most common ones:
- A website asking for your Microsoft password to "link your account" or "get a gift". A real server uses Microsoft's official sign-in page, never a form of its own.
- Free Minecoins or gem generators. They don't exist. At best you waste your time, at worst you lose your account.
- A "staff member" contacting you privately to ask for a code or a payment. No serious staff does that.
When in doubt, ask on the server's official Discord.
Hosting your own server for free
Want your own server, with your friends and your rules? There are free options, each with its limits.
A shared world. The simplest: you open your world and your friends join from the Friends tab. Free, up to 8 players, but the world only exists while you're playing.
A free host like Aternos. It supports Bedrock servers. It's free, but there's a queue to start the server, it shuts down when nobody is playing, and the machine is modest. Good for a small group of friends.
The official server on your PC. Mojang publishes the "Bedrock Dedicated Server" for free on minecraft.net, for Windows and Linux. You keep full control, but:
- your PC has to stay on for the server to run;
- you need to open port
19132(UDP) on your router so your friends can get in from outside; - your friends on console won't be able to type your address. They'll need a DNS trick.
Which option to pick?
| What you want | The option |
|---|---|
| Play with lots of people, nothing to install | A free public server |
| An evening with two or three friends | A shared world |
| A small server of your own, nothing technical | Aternos |
| Full control | The official server on your PC |
Hosting a server also means looking after it: updates, backups, cheaters. If what you really want is to play with lots of people, a public server that's already running is simpler.
Linesia, a free server
Linesia is a free Minecraft Bedrock server from France, open on PC, phone and console, and the game is available in English. We play factions: your faction has its own island, you farm, you level up, and you fight in the warzone. To join: play.linesia.net, port 19132, or add JoinLinesia as a friend on console.
Frequently asked questions
Are there free Minecraft Bedrock servers?
Yes, plenty. Check the number of players online, how to join on console and the Discord before you pick. We cover all of that in our guide to choosing a server.
Can I create a free Minecraft Bedrock server to play with friends on console?
Yes, with Aternos or the official server on your PC. But your friends on console will need a workaround to join, because consoles don't let you type an address.
Do you have to pay to play on a Minecraft server on Switch?
The server is free, but Nintendo requires Nintendo Switch Online for all online play.
