Hosting a Minecraft server to play with your friends shouldn’t feel like homework. SquidServers lets you host your own server for free on your PC or laptop. Open the app, choose your version and mods, click launch, and share a link with your friends. Minimal setup. Play the same day.

What SquidServers Is (and Isn’t)

SquidServers is a free app that helps you run a Minecraft server on your own computer with a friendly step-by-step flow.

• Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Supports Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Paper.
• Lets you create a new world or import your existing world.
• You choose the RAM.
• Setup takes about five clicks (roughly two minutes).
• Share a simple join link with friends.

It isn’t a cloud host. Your computer runs the Minecraft server and your friends can connect.

Why We Made It

Small friend groups shouldn’t have to pay monthly fees just to play together. Setting up a server by yourself can be confusing, and many people give up before they ever get to “Join”. We built SquidServers to make the path from idea → server fast, friendly, and free.

Proof it works: over 27k servers started, 20k users, and a 4k+ member support Discord.

Common problems (and how SquidServers helps)

Problem: Network exposure and routing.
How SquidServers helps: Creates a playit.gg guest tunnel automatically and provides a join link, avoiding manual port forwarding or direct IP sharing.

Problem: Loader and version management (Fabric/Forge/NeoForge/Paper, Java versions, Minecraft versions).
How SquidServers helps: Guided selection for Java, loader, and game version; compatible defaults to reduce mismatch errors.

Problem: Modpack setup and dependency conflicts.
How SquidServers helps: Pre-configured modpacks available; you can also add your own mods with the chosen loader.

Problem: World migration and saves.
How SquidServers helps: Import existing world folders at setup and export them any time. Your world files stay on your machine.

Problem: Initial server configuration time.
How SquidServers helps: About five clicks from start to launch; typical setup is ~two minutes.

How It Works (Step-by-Step)

1. Open SquidServers.
2. Pick your setup: Java + Vanilla or modded (Fabric/Forge/NeoForge/Paper) + Minecraft version.
3. World: Create new or import an existing world.
4. Allocate RAM: More RAM = better performance for more players.
5. Launch: We start your server and set up a playit.gg guest tunnel.
6. Share the link: Send the address to your friends. They join like any other server.

Safety, Privacy, and Control

• Friends connect using the playit.gg link rather than to your home address directly.
• Worlds and configs are stored locally on your computer.
• Windows installer note: We haven’t bought a code-signing certificate yet, so Windows may show a warning. You can continue the install—the app is safe.

FAQs

Is it really free?
Yes. Self-hosting is free forever. We accept donations if you’d like to support development.

Can I play and host at the same time on one PC?
Yes. The server runs as its own process. You can play on the same machine while it’s hosting.

Do I have to keep my PC on?
Yes. The server runs on your machine. If it’s off, people can’t connect.

Will it lag more than a cloud host?
It depends on your hardware and internet. Modern PCs usually have enough CPU and 4–6 GB of RAM for 10–20 players.

What happens if I alt-tab or close my game?
The server is separate from the game client. You can alt-tab or even close the game; as long as the server app is running, your friends stay connected. If you stop the server, they’ll disconnect.

Can I move my world later?
Yes. You can import/export world files any time—swap loaders, change versions, or back things up.

Do my friends need SquidServers installed?
No. They just use the join link you share.

Which loaders do you support?
Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Paper, plus pre-configured modpacks.

Which operating systems are supported?
Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Compare Your Options

• Do it all yourself: Free, but complex; networking steps can block you.
• Cloud host: Convenient, but monthly cost and less control.
• SquidServers (self-host): Free, quick setup, full control on your own machine, with a simple join link for friends.

Get Started (Two Minutes)

1. Open SquidServers.
2. Choose Java + Vanilla or modded (Fabric/Forge/NeoForge/Paper) + Minecraft version.
3. Create or import your world, choose RAM.
4. Launch and share your playit.gg link.

Host for free, invite your friends, and play today! Go to squidservers.com for more information.