Hey everyone! I've been trying to host a Minecraft server using the EC2 free tier, but I can't seem to get it to work even after following a tutorial. I'm looking for the cheapest way to get my server up and running on AWS. Any tips or solutions would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
Yo, just a heads-up, Minecraft might be too resource-heavy for the free tier. If you really want to dabble with AWS without breaking the bank, try something lighter like a simple website project first, then revisit the game server idea later!
I actually tried setting up an EC2 Minecraft server but quickly realized it was eating into my budget. If you're looking for better value, you might want to explore VPS providers like Hetzner or OVH. They often have cheaper options for running game servers and don't have the added complexity of AWS.
I've heard good things about those services! I'm gonna look into them for sure.
If you want to stick with AWS, consider starting with the smallest instance type on EC2 and check if Java is pre-installed. Once you get it running, you can connect via its IP and configure your Minecraft server. Just be ready for some trial and error, especially with networking settings and security groups—start with open rules while you test it out!
Honestly, if you're just looking to host a Minecraft server, AWS might not be the best option. You could run into some unexpected costs. If you're really keen on using AWS for the experience, I'd recommend checking out AWS Lightsail. It's simpler to set up than EC2 and has a free tier, but keep in mind that the free tier may not be powerful enough for a decent Minecraft server.
Thanks for the tip about Lightsail! I’ll definitely check that out since I want to keep costs low.

That makes sense! I might try a simple project first, thanks for the advice!