How much RAM does a Minecraft server need? Java, Bedrock and mods

“How much RAM do I need?” is the first question when you rent a Minecraft server. The short answer: about 2 GB for a few friends on Paper, Vanilla or Fabric, 4 to 6 GB for Forge or NeoForge with mods, 6 to 10 GB or more for modpacks, and 1 to 2 GB for Bedrock. The longer answer depends on your edition, your world and how your players play. This guide explains both, with the values our order form uses for Minecraft server hosting in Lugano.

RAM by server type at a glance#

The minimum is the floor our order form will not let you go below; the recommendation is what we suggest for a comfortable start. Modpack installs are still marked beta. If a pack's authors recommend more memory, follow them: some large packs ask for well over 10 GB.

Why the edition makes such a difference#

Java Edition runs on PC and Mac and is where plugins and mods live. The server itself is a Java program, and Java needs memory for the game plus some headroom for its own housekeeping. Paper is an optimised Java server that runs Bukkit and Spigot plugins and usually gets more out of the same hardware than Vanilla. Fabric stays light; Forge and NeoForge carry the large mods, and every mod adds blocks, items and code that sit in memory.

Bedrock Edition is the version for phones, tablets, consoles and Windows. Its official server is not written in Java and needs noticeably less RAM. With crossplay, Bedrock players can also join a Java server; our guide on Bedrock crossplay shows how.

What else uses memory#

• Players who spread out. Every player keeps the chunks around them loaded. Ten players in one base cost far less than ten players exploring in ten directions.
• View and simulation distance. These settings decide how many chunks each player loads and simulates. Values of 8 and 6 are a good balance for most servers.
• Entities. Big mob farms, villager halls and piles of dropped items cost memory and CPU.
• Plugins and mods. Each one adds a little; a few heavy ones add a lot. Remove what you no longer use.
• World generation. Exploring new land is expensive. Pre-generating the world with a plugin such as Chunky while nobody plays takes that load away later.

RAM is not everything: CPU, TPS and lag#

A Minecraft server calculates the world 20 times per second; each calculation is a tick. TPS (ticks per second) tells you whether it keeps up: 20 is smooth, lower values mean lag, like blocks popping back or players rubber-banding. MSPT, the time per tick, should stay below 50 ms. Most of that work happens on one main thread, so a fast CPU core often matters more than extra gigabytes.

Two things surprise many server owners. First, Java reserves most of its RAM up front, so a memory gauge that looks full is normal; TPS tells you more. Second, RAM the server does not use does not make it faster. In our control panel you can measure TPS on Paper, Spigot, Forge and NeoForge with one click, and the panel suggests whether more CPU, more RAM or a look at your plugins will help. Our guide Lag and TPS explains the fixes step by step.

Player slots or resources?#

Some hosts sell Minecraft servers by player slots. Our plans are sized by resources instead: you choose RAM, CPU and disk, and the player limit is simply the max-players value in server.properties, which you edit in the config editor. That way you pay for what your world really needs, whether it is two friends on a huge modpack or twenty players on a lean Paper server.

Choosing a plan#

• A few friends on Paper, Vanilla or Fabric: Starter 2 GB, or Standard 4 GB if you add many plugins or explore a lot.
• Forge or NeoForge with a handful of mods: Standard 4 GB is the minimum, Pro 8 GB gives the recommended headroom.
• FTB or Modrinth modpacks: Pro 8 GB for smaller packs, Ultra 16 GB for heavy packs or larger groups.
• Bedrock: Starter 2 GB matches the recommended value.

Need an unusual mix, such as lots of disk? With Build your own you pick RAM (CHF 2.50 per GB), CPU (CHF 4 per core) and disk (CHF 0.20 per GB) per month and see the price right away; for standard sizes the fixed plans are the better deal. Prices are also available in EUR, and ThunderHosting is not subject to VAT, so the price shown is the price you pay. You can add resources at any time and pay only the difference for the rest of the period; a smaller plan starts at your next renewal. Ordering and plans has the details.

Included with every Minecraft server#

• Automatic daily backups stored off the server host, plus manual backup slots (backups and schedules).
• Plugins and mods in one click from Modrinth and Hangar, and SFTP for your own files (mods, plugins and SFTP).
• The right Java version for each Minecraft version, automatic restart after a crash and a plain explanation of the cause.
• Schedules for daily restarts with player warnings.
• Network-wide layer 3 DDoS protection and a firewall per server.
• Your own address name, so players join without typing a port (connect to your Java server).
• Support from Ticino in English, German, French and Italian.

New to game servers in general? Read What is game server hosting? or see all games on our game hosting page.

Frequently asked questions#

Is 2 GB of RAM enough for a Minecraft server?#

Yes, for a few friends on Paper, Vanilla or Fabric. Forge and NeoForge need at least 4 GB, modpacks at least 6 GB.

How much RAM does a modpack need?#

Our order form asks for at least 6 GB and recommends 10 GB for FTB and Modrinth packs. Check the pack's own recommendation too: large packs can need more.

Why does my server always show full RAM?#

Java reserves most of its memory up front, so the gauge often looks full even when everything is fine. Measure TPS instead: if it stays at 20, the server keeps up.

Can I add RAM later?#

Yes. More RAM, CPU or disk is available within minutes on the Plan & resources tab, charged pro rata for the rest of the period.

Where do the servers run?#

On our own infrastructure in Lugano, Ticino, close to players across Central Europe.