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How to Run a Minecraft Server for Your Discord Friends (Java Edition)

Last checked: 6 October 2026

To run a Minecraft: Java Edition server for a Discord group: pick a host that fits how many people play at once, turn on the whitelist and add each member’s Minecraft name, make only one or two trusted people operators, keep backups, and post the address only in a private channel. Free hosts such as Aternos and Minehut, pay-per-hour hosts such as exaroton, Realms, self-hosting and Shulkerboxes (free Java Edition hosting, invite-only, US only, gameplay recorded for AI datasets) all work. The biggest difference between them is what happens when nobody is online.

1. Pick a host

Facts about each service come from its own pages, checked on 6 October 2026.

OptionCostPlayers online at onceWhen nobody is onlineHelp for a groupWhat you give up
AternosFreeUnlimited slots, per its siteStops empty servers after a countdown; someone starts it again from its site“Share access” lets friends manage the server with youAds on its site; a start queue when its servers are full
MinehutFree Starter plan; paid plans in credits10 on the free planSleeps when empty, wakes when a player joinsSub users on paid plans only1 GB RAM on the free plan; ads
exaroton1 credit per GB of RAM per hour; 100 credits = $1.14Check its siteOptional start by joining and automatic stopA Discord bot lets members start or manage the server; credit pools let friends share the costYou pay for every hour it runs after the trial
Realms (Java)$7.99 USD a monthYou + 10Always on (24/7)Check the Realms pageA monthly bill and the player cap
Self-hostingFree server software; your PC and powerLimited by your PCRuns only while your PC is onFull control of files and settingsSetup, a PC left on, and port forwarding or a tunnel
ShulkerboxesFree, no ads, no credit cardCheck before you joinWakes when a friend joins, ready in about a minuteA private Discord channel with the teamUS only, invite-only waitlist, gameplay recorded for AI datasets

For more on cost and limits, see Aternos alternatives, Minehut alternatives and Realms alternatives.

2. Let in only your members

  1. Leave online mode on. online-mode=true in server.properties is the default and checks every player against Minecraft’s account database. Turning it off lets fake accounts join.
  2. Turn on the whitelist. Run /whitelist on. The Minecraft Wiki says the whitelist is on by default since Java Edition 26.3, but servers on older versions start with it off. Players not on the whitelist cannot connect.
  3. Collect Java usernames in Discord. Ask each member to post their Minecraft: Java Edition username in one channel, and add them with /whitelist add <name>. They don’t need to be online.
  4. Kick people you remove. Set enforce-whitelist=true, so a player you take off the whitelist is kicked when the server reloads the list.

Operators can always connect, even when they are not on the whitelist.

3. Keep the world safe

  • Few operators. /op gives permission level 4 by default, which allows every command, including server management. Give it to one or two people you trust with the world. Level 3 covers multiplayer management such as kicking and banning; op-permission-level in server.properties sets the level /op gives.
  • Few Discord admins. Discord says the Administrator permission “grants all permissions and bypasses all channel restrictions”, so give it with care too.
  • Backups on a host. Aternos says it can keep a backup of your server in your Google Drive. Minehut has a Backup Now button on its dashboard; its help center warns that restoring a backup wipes what is on the server now. exaroton lets you download your world.
  • Backups when self-hosting. Run save-off, then save-all flush, copy the world folder, then run save-on. The Minecraft Wiki says save-off stops the server writing to the world files so you can copy them for a backup.
  • Back up before big changes: a new game version, new plugins or mods, or new members.

4. Share the address only in the server

  • Use a private channel. In Discord, choose Edit Channel > Permissions and turn on Private Channel, then Add members or roles. Discord says this removes the View Channel permission from @everyone. Pin the server address there.
  • Control invite links. Discord invite links last 7 days by default, and Edit invite link changes how long they last and how many times they can be used. With Grant temporary membership on, people who join through the link are kicked when they disconnect unless they get a role.
  • Assume the address will leak. With the whitelist on, a stranger who has the address can try to connect but cannot join.

5. When nobody is online

Most free and pay-per-hour hosts stop or sleep an empty server, so the group needs a way to wake it.

  • Minehut wakes a sleeping server when a player joins.
  • Aternos stops empty servers after a countdown; someone has to start it again from its site, and may wait in its queue at busy times. Share access so more than one person can press start.
  • exaroton can start when a player joins, and its Discord bot lets members you choose start the server from Discord.
  • Realms is always on.
  • Self-hosting runs only while that PC is on.
  • Shulkerboxes wakes when a friend joins and is ready in about a minute.

Pin one message in your Minecraft channel that says how to start the server, so nobody waits for the owner.

6. Moderation basics

  • Write a few rules and pin them. For example: no griefing, no taking from other people’s chests, PvP only when both sides agree.
  • Talk first in Discord. Most problems in a friend group are solved with a message, not a ban.
  • Know the commands. /kick <name> removes a player for now. /ban <name> adds them to the ban list, which stops them connecting and overrides the whitelist. /pardon <name> undoes a ban, and /whitelist remove <name> takes someone off the list. These need permission level 3.
  • Fix damage from a backup. If someone griefs a build, restore the last good backup rather than rebuilding by hand.

Where Shulkerboxes fits (and doesn't)

Shulkerboxes is free server hosting for Minecraft: Java Edition friend groups, with no ads and no credit card. A server wakes up when a friend joins and is ready in about a minute, and your group gets a private Discord channel with the team. It is invite-only with a waitlist and open in the US only. It is free because gameplay is recorded and de-identified into AI training datasets, and chat is recorded only if you opt in (full explanation). Every player sees a notice before playing. If your group needs mods, plugins, or Bedrock, ask before you join or pick an option above that says it supports them.

Have an invite code? Enter it on the home page. No invite yet? Join the waitlist and we will save you a spot.

FAQ

How do I make a Minecraft server only my Discord friends can join?

Turn on the whitelist with /whitelist on and add each friend's Java Edition username with /whitelist add <name>. Players not on the whitelist cannot connect. Post the address only in a private Discord channel.

Who should be an operator on a friends server?

One or two people you trust with the world. /op gives permission level 4 by default, which allows every command, including server management.

How do I back up a Minecraft server?

Use your host's backup tool if it has one. When self-hosting, run save-off and save-all flush, copy the world folder, then run save-on.

What happens to the server when nobody is online?

It depends on the host. Minehut sleeps empty free servers and wakes them when a player joins, Aternos stops empty servers after a countdown, exaroton can start when a player joins, Realms is always on, and a self-hosted server runs only while its PC is on.

Should I post the server address in a public Discord channel?

No. Post it in a private channel that only members can see. With the whitelist on, a stranger who has the address can try to connect but cannot join.

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