How much memory does a Minecraft server need?
Updated 24 October 2026 · 3 minute read · Minecraft Java and Minecraft Bedrock · By Exclsv Support
Memory decides how many players and how many mods your world can handle. Pick the size that suits your group today: you can move up or down from HQ at any time and pay only the difference for the days left.
Minecraft Java
Java servers run vanilla, Paper, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge or a CurseForge modpack. Plugins need little extra memory; big modpacks need a lot.
| Memory | Suits | Price a month |
|---|---|---|
| 2 GB | Vanilla, up to 10 friends | £4.99 |
| 4 GB | About 20 players, Paper | £8.99 |
| 6 GB | Mods, plugins or a light modpack | £12.99 |
| 8 GB | Create, RLCraft and similar | £16.99 |
| 12 GB | All the Mods and other large packs | £24.99 |
| 16 GB | Large packs, 30+ players | £33.99 |
| 24 GB | Very large worlds, small networks | £49.99 |
| 32 GB | Networks behind a proxy | £69.99 |
Minecraft Java plans and what each includes
Minecraft Bedrock
Bedrock servers are for phones, tablets and Windows. Add-ons and bigger worlds need more memory.
| Memory | Suits | Price a month |
|---|---|---|
| 2 GB | About 10 players | £4.99 |
| 4 GB | About 30 players | £8.99 |
| 6 GB | Add-ons and larger worlds | £12.99 |
| 8 GB | Busy public servers | £16.99 |
| 12 GB | Heavy add-on packs and big public servers | £24.99 |
Minecraft Bedrock plans and what each includes
Reserved means yours
The memory on your plan is reserved for your server. It is never shared with other servers or sold twice, so a busy evening on someone else’s server doesn’t take memory from yours.
Changing size later
- Moving up charges the difference for the days left in your billing period.
- Moving down pays the difference for the days left back to your card, or keeps it as credit if you prefer.
- You see the amount before you confirm.
If it doesn’t work
Players get lag when lots of people are on
Look at your server’s memory and processor use in HQ while it is busy. If memory is close to full, move up a size. Fewer plugins or a shorter view distance can help too.
My modpack won’t start
Large packs such as All the Mods need 12 GB or more. Check the memory the pack’s authors recommend for a server, move up a size if you need to, then start the server again.
Run this on Exclsv: Minecraft Java server hosting, from £4.99 a month