Starting Your Own Server

This advice is mainly around focused on running servers that are always available from the public internet (including private/invite-only/whitelist servers).

For LAN games where all players are on one network, and you don't need the world accessible when the "host" player is not playing, you can just use the "Host Server" checkbox option in the "Start Game" screen of Minetest. For always-available LAN games, you can follow the "Self-Managed" section below, using your own equipment to host, and just don't forward a port through your router.

Turn-Key Public Hosts

The easiest option for hosting a server is to buy service from a dedicated Minetest host, such as [Mine City Online]*.

You should expect to pay in the $15 to $20 USD per month price range, and receive assistance specific to running your Minetest server, including automatic crash recovery, game/mod installation support, etc. Some providers may offer basic service at cheaper rates, though those may only be good for private servers with a small number of players, and you may need to tolerate lower resources limits or higher lag.

These services are ideal for less tech-savvy users who don't know much about server administration. For more advanced users, they may or may not support running additional services.

NodeCore is quite efficient for what it does, and tolerates very high lag (up to 2000ms) while remaining playable, so you can try starting at the most basic level, and upgrading only as needed.

Self-Managed

Running your own server gives you a lot more flexibility, but you take full responsibility for all software configuration. This option requires a level of technical expertise.

Configuration

systemd

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• Service providers are mentioned based on community members having had good experiences with them, but the project does not officially endorse or critique specific third party services.