Minecraft Server Application vs Paid Hosting: Which Should You Use?

Updated

Use a desktop Minecraft server application if you want to host on your own computer for free and only need the server online while you're playing. Pay for hosting if you need the server running 24/7, want to support many players, or don't want to tie up your own machine. The deciding factor is almost always uptime: a desktop app runs only while your computer is on and the app is open, while paid hosting runs on a remote machine around the clock.

The core difference: your computer vs someone else's

A desktop server application turns your own PC into the host. You install it, it sets up and runs the server locally, and your friends connect over the internet. Paid hosting runs the same server software, but on a remote machine that stays powered on whether you're there or not.

That single difference drives everything else — cost, uptime, performance, and how much setup you deal with.

Side-by-side comparison

Dimension Desktop app (self-hosted) Paid hosting
Where it runs Your computer Remote provider machine
Uptime Only while your PC is on and the app runs 24/7
Cost Typically free, no monthly fees Monthly subscription
Port forwarding Often avoided via built-in tunneling Not needed — provider handles it
Setup effort App automates install and config Usually a control panel, minimal setup
Performance Depends on your hardware and connection Depends on the plan you buy
Your PC's resources Used while server runs Unaffected

SquidServers, for example, is a free desktop application that includes built-in tunneling (provided by playit.gg) so you can skip port forwarding, and it automates server setup. It supports thousands of Modrinth modpacks plus custom CurseForge server packs, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its own FAQ states plainly that it is not a hosting service — your server is online only when your computer is on and running the app.

When a desktop application is the better choice

  • You play in bursts — a "two-week phase" with friends, a weekend session, a single modpack run.
  • You don't want a recurring bill. Free with no monthly fees is the whole point.
  • You want to avoid port forwarding. Built-in tunneling makes the server reachable behind most routers and firewalls.
  • You want mods and modpacks without a provider's restrictions.
  • You're okay with the server going offline when you shut down your PC.

When paid hosting is the better choice

  • You need the world available 24/7 — for a persistent community, scheduled events, or players in different time zones.
  • You expect many concurrent players and don't want your own connection or hardware to be the bottleneck.
  • You don't want your gaming PC's resources consumed by hosting while you do other things.
  • You'd rather not manage Java versions, server files, or updates yourself.

What to check before you decide

  1. Uptime requirement. If players will log in when you're asleep or at work, self-hosting on a desktop app won't work.
  2. Your hardware. SquidServers recommends at least 4GB of RAM (8GB for modded servers) and Java 17 or higher, and can help install the right Java version. Heavier modpacks need more.
  3. Your connection. For best performance, SquidServers recommends port forwarding when possible, though tunneling works without it.
  4. Edition and crossplay. If you need Bedrock or Java–Bedrock crossplay, confirm the app supports it — SquidServers supports Bedrock Dedicated Server and crossplay via GeyserMC.
  5. Budget tolerance. Free desktop hosting vs. a monthly subscription is often the tiebreaker once uptime needs are clear.

The short version

Choose a desktop application like SquidServers when "free, no port forwarding, runs while I play" matches how you actually use a server. Choose paid hosting when "always online, many players, not my machine" matters more than cost. If your group only plays together in the same sessions, self-hosting wins on price; if the world needs to stay up without you, pay for hosting.