How to Host a Minecraft Server on a Raspberry Pi for Friends and Family

A Raspberry Pi 5 sitting quietly on a shelf can run a private Minecraft world for a small group of mates, with low ping for everyone on the same home network and no monthly hosting fee. Hosting a Minecraft server on a Raspberry Pi is one of the most satisfying weekend projects in the hobby, and a Pi 5 with 8GB of RAM comfortably handles a handful of players if you set it up the right way.

Quick Answer

Use a Raspberry Pi 5 with 8GB RAM, boot the 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS from an SSD rather than an SD card, and run a Java server with PaperMC for the best performance. A Pi 5 on PaperMC realistically supports around 8 to 12 players at a view distance of 8, with no subscription required.

What you need before you start

The hardware list is short but specific. Get a Raspberry Pi 5, ideally the 8GB model for a bigger group, with active cooling because the board works hard under a busy server. Skip the SD card for storage if you can: an NVMe or USB SSD is far faster and dramatically improves chunk loading and world saves. A wired Ethernet connection to your router beats wireless for stability.

On software, install the 64-bit version of Raspberry Pi OS. Then choose your server type. The official Bedrock Dedicated Server from Mojang is built for x86 hardware, so on the Pi it only runs through emulation, which is unreliable and slow on the Pi 5. The clean path is Java Edition with PaperMC, a high-performance fork that cuts CPU load substantially and supports plugins. The board itself is the heart of this build, and you can compare the current options in the mini PC and small-form-factor range at Evetech if you want something more powerful than a Pi as the world grows.

Step-by-step setup

1. Prepare the Pi and update it

Flash 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS to your SSD, boot the Pi, and run the system update so you start on current packages. Confirm you are on a 64-bit OS, because the server software and the Java runtime need it to perform properly.

2. Install Java

PaperMC needs a current Java runtime. Install a recent 64-bit version through the package manager, then verify it from the terminal so you know the server will launch against the right Java. This single step trips up a lot of first-time hosts, so confirm it before going further.

3. Download and configure PaperMC

Create a dedicated folder for the server, download the PaperMC server jar into it, and run it once to generate the configuration files. Open the EULA file and accept it, then edit the server properties to taste. Keep the view distance around 8 for a Pi 5, since pushing it higher is the fastest way to bog the board down.

4. Set the memory allocation

Launch the server with a sensible RAM allocation so it has room to work without starving the operating system. On an 8GB Pi, giving the server a few gigabytes leaves plenty for the OS. Allocate too much and the system swaps and stutters, so stay conservative and adjust based on how it runs.

5. Let friends connect

On your home network, friends join using the Pi's local IP address on the default Java port. To bring in players from outside your house, you forward the Java port on your router to the Pi, which exposes the server to the internet, so apply a strong allowlist and keep the software updated. If you have console or mobile players, add the GeyserMC plugin and they can join the same Java world from Bedrock devices on the Bedrock port.

Keeping it stable and fast

A Pi server rewards restraint. Avoid sprawling mob farms and complex redstone contraptions, which hammer the CPU and drag frame times down for everyone. Keep the view distance modest, run from the SSD, and make sure the active cooler is actually doing its job, because thermal throttling is a common cause of mysterious lag.

Back up your world folder regularly, especially before installing plugins or updating the server, so a bad change never costs you the map. If your group keeps growing past what a Pi handles comfortably, that is the signal to step up to a more capable always-on machine. The best-selling PCs at Evetech cover small, efficient systems that make excellent home servers when a Pi runs out of headroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Raspberry Pi run a Minecraft server for friends?

Yes. A Pi 5 with 8GB RAM running Java Edition on PaperMC handles roughly 8 to 12 players at a sensible view distance. Use an SSD and active cooling, and keep redstone and mob farms in check for smooth play.

Should I run Java or Bedrock on the Pi?

Run Java with PaperMC. Mojang's Bedrock server is built for x86 hardware and only runs on the Pi through emulation, which is unstable and slow. Java on PaperMC is fast and supports plugins, and GeyserMC lets Bedrock players join anyway.

Do I need an SSD instead of an SD card?

Strongly recommended. SD cards are too slow for the constant reads and writes a server does, which causes lag and risks corruption. An NVMe or USB SSD makes chunk loading and saves far quicker and more reliable.

How many players can a Pi 5 handle?

Around 8 to 12 with PaperMC at a view distance of 8 on the 8GB model. Heavy redstone, large farms, or a higher view distance will lower that number, so tune for your group.

Can console or mobile friends join a Java server on the Pi?

Yes, with the GeyserMC plugin. It bridges Bedrock clients on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Android, and iOS into your Java world, connecting on the Bedrock port while Java players use the standard Java port.