Simple Game Hosting Minecraft Server Hosting Review
When it comes to hosting Minecraft servers, the market is full of options. Since I've tried out so many, I'm your perfect guide to a new service that you may be considering.
Simple Game Hosting promises an easy setup process, competitive pricing for premium Minecraft hosting, and reliable performance. In this review, I’ll take you through my experience purchasing a server, setting it up for vanilla Minecraft, and then configuring it for modded gameplay.
I generally categorize Minecraft Hosting providers as Premium or Budget, and Simple Game Hosting is definitely premium. with that, I look for great performing hardware and fast, white-glove treatment from their tech support team, as well as well considered features like robust backups and one-click modpack installation.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of what Simple Game Hosting has to offer.
TL;DR
Simple Game Hosting offers premium Minecraft server hosting with strong hardware, live support, and robust features like SFTP access and automated backups. Their servers, equipped with high-performance AMD Ryzen and Intel Xeon CPUs, ensure smooth gameplay even for large or modded servers. While the intuitive interface and global locations are major pluses, the lack of a built-in world manager, server instances, and custom subdomains are minor drawbacks. Pricing is on the higher side -- an 8GB server will run about $40/mo, but the excellent performance and real-time support make it worth the investment for serious Minecraft enthusiasts and server operators.
Watch the Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXjsGwrmyF4Who is Simple Game Hosting?
Simple Game Hosting has an interesting origin story. The owners of this service operate the popular YouTube channel and website The Breakdown. If you've ever searched for how to set up Minecraft servers, you've probably come across their channel and the speed-talking Nic. Interestingly, they took their YouTube success and knowledge from creating that channel and operating their own servers to launch a service. I believe they've been in business for just a few years and while they're relatively new to the hosting scene, clearly from their content they know how to provide Minecraft server support. As a content creator and entrepreneur myself, I love that they evolved to a successful hosting business in a crowded market.
Exploring the Service
Simple Game Hosting’s website is clean and straightforward. The homepage emphasizes ease of use with quick links to get some relevant information, view their features, packages, and FAQs.
The site provides a decent amount of information about features like server locations, modpack support, and DDoS protection. The documentation and FAQ section is well built out. In fact, I was quite impressed to see a full list of all the server locations as well as the hardware that's available in each!
Server Locations
These are their currently listed server locations.
- Arlington, Virginia
- Miami, Florida
- Dallas, Texas
- San Jose, California
- Hillsboro, Oregon
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Gravelines, France
- Sydney, Australia
- Singapore
Hardware Specifications
Simple Game Hosting provides transparent and detailed information about their hardware, instilling confidence in their service. Their servers are equipped with high-performance processors like AMD's Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 series and Intel's Xeon-E processors, optimized for Minecraft's reliance on single-thread performance. With clock speeds reaching up to 5.4GHz and modern architectures, these CPUs deliver exceptional performance for smooth gameplay, whether hosting a lightweight vanilla server or a heavily modded setup with large player counts. This level of hardware investment and transparency highlights Simple Game Hosting's dedication to ensuring a reliable and seamless Minecraft hosting experience.
Note that the package you choose does not dictate the server hardware. That's dependent on location and availability.
Click here to view all of the Hardware Specifications across data centers.
Purchasing a Server
The purchase process was simple and quick. From the homepage, click on Get Started and you'll be presented with their Server Plans.
Their plans are on the high end of average, matching the pricing for what I consider Premium services. For that I expect incredible support, top performance so I can spend my time playing and not managing a server or dealing with issues myself. Their pricing is straight-forward and clear. There are no hidden fees or upsells for support or custom options like extra backups.
I selected the 8GB Server as I'm going to be installing a medium sized modpack, Valhelsia 6. After choosing your plan, there are just a few options to choose from.
You can choose a quarterly plan to save an additional 10% ongoing.
You then choose the server type. I like that there are few options here. Honestly, just pick anything. You can reconfigure your server in the control panel. Don't get stuck here!
Initially, I chose a Purpur server, which is Minecraft version 1.21.1.
And then choose your location
Be sure to choose the location closest to where your players are. The type of server you get likely depends on the package you choose. Bigger packages will surely have the higher end packages.
After creating an account and completing the payment, I received the server details almost immediately. This quick turnaround is a big plus, especially for those who want to get started without delay.
Check your email for your "Account Created" email which will have a link to reset your control panel password.
This email will have a "set up your account" link that will prompt you to set your password.
Note that there are two logins, one for the billing panel and one for the server panel. This is typical of Minecraft server providers.
Setting Up a Vanilla Minecraft Server
Once I accessed the server dashboard after just a few minutes, my vanilla Minecraft server was already up and running.
I tested the server by logging in with a vanilla Minecraft client using the IP address and port in the upper right. Everything worked smoothly, with minimal latency. So far so good!
Setting Up a Modded Minecraft Server
For the modded server setup I'm setting up a Valhelsia 6 server, which is what I'm currently playing on my YouTube channel, with friends and family. Simple Game Hosting supports modpacks natively, making the process very easy. Just click the Modpacks & Versions menu, search for your modpack name, choose the version and click "Install".
After a few minutes, you can return back to control panel, ready to check the options and start the server.
Be sure to check the quick settings on the bottom left to make sure the difficulty and game mode are what you want, then click "Start" below the console
Performance and Reliability
Initial performance was good, though more testing is needed. I'll be using this server on my own multiplayer world to give it some real life tests. Watch this space for updates!
Features
File Manager
There is a file manager where you can upload and download files like worlds, unzip them, and edit config files.
SFTP
You can access your server with SFTP, allowing you to directly access the files from a desktop app.
Backups
You can keep up to 10 backups, which you can create manually on the Backups tab, or you can schedule backups in the Settings.
Settings > General
Manage common server settings. For more detail, you can always edit the server.properties file directly in the File manager.
Settings > Subusers
Invite your friends to help manage the server where you have very detailed control over their access levels
Settings > Databases
Create MySQL databases that may be used by some mods.
Settings > Schedules
There's a very robust task scheduler that can have multiple tasks included in a single scheduled entry. Here I send a server command to warn players, then restart the server at midnight every day. It uses a cronjob format for scheduling, which is very easy to learn if you aren't familiar.
Settings > Panel Details
Get more information about your server, CPU usage, and disk space usage. Based on this panel, it appears that disk usage is unlimited.
Support and Customer Service
I tested the support system by submitting a few queries related to modpack installation and server configuration. The response time was very fast and my questions were resolved within a few minutes.
While the live chat option is convenient, their extensive documentation is nice to see. My questions were answered in their online help docs.
Pros:
- Real-time Premium Support:
Simple Game Hosting offers prompt and reliable live support, ensuring that any issues with your server are resolved quickly. This is especially valuable for new server owners or those running modded configurations who may encounter technical hurdles. And again, given that this team comes from years of teaching how to run Minecraft servers, they've got a wealth of knowledge backing them up. - Easy and Intuitive Interface:
Their control panel is user-friendly, making it easy for both beginners and experienced administrators to manage server settings, install modpacks, and perform routine maintenance without a steep learning curve. - Strong Hardware Across Many Locations:
With modern, high-performance CPUs like AMD Ryzen 7/9 and Intel Xeon-E series, hosted in multiple locations globally, their servers deliver exceptional single-threaded performance—ideal for Minecraft’s unique demands. Players benefit from low latency and reliable gameplay regardless of location. - SFTP File Access:
Unlike many hosting providers that rely on less secure FTP, Simple Game Hosting supports SFTP. This ensures encrypted file transfers, adding an extra layer of security when uploading mods, world files, or configurations. - Disk Space and Backups:
They offer unlimited disk space and a generous 10 backup slots. So you know you'll have plenty of flexibility to grow your server and back it up without paying extra along the way. - Robust Backups and Task Scheduling:
The automated backup system and customizable task scheduler provide peace of mind, allowing you to restore your server quickly if needed and automate tasks like restarts or plugin updates.
Cons:
- No World Manager:
The absence of a built-in world manager means users must manually upload or manage multiple worlds via SFTP, which may be less convenient for players who frequently switch between worlds. - No Server Instances:
Unlike some competitors, Simple Game Hosting does not support server instances. This limits your ability to run multiple server environments (e.g., test servers alongside live ones) on the same account or hardware. - No Custom Subdomains:
The lack of native support for custom subdomains (e.g.,jangro.sgh.gg) means users need to provide IP addresses and ports to users or set up their own DNS configurations. You can set up your own custom domains, which is still good for those those seeking a polished, professional experience, though you'll need to purchase your own domain and manage the DNS yourself.
All of these things mean that for many operations like updates, world resets, and trying out multiple mod packs, you either need some technical experience, or you'll want to rely on their Tech Support for help.
FAQs
Q: Are there disk storage limits?
A: No. There's unlimited disk space, presumably as long as that's used for Minecraft server related data and files. No backing up your photo library via SFTP!
Q: Can you set up a custom subdomain?
A: There is no feature to set up your own custom subdomain within the interface like most hosting providers do. You must either share the IP address and port with your friends, or set up your own custom domain through your own DNS.
Q: How many backup slots, and are there extra fees?
A: Every account gets 10 backup slots included with the standard pricing.
Q: What control panel does Simple Game Hosting use?
A: They use Pterodactyl, an open source, robust, and secure game server platform.
Final Thoughts
Simple Game Hosting delivers on its promise of simplicity and reliability. The intuitive interface, fast setup, and strong performance make it a great choice for hosting both vanilla and modded Minecraft servers.
If you’re looking for an accessible and hassle-free hosting solution backed by expert live support, Simple Game Hosting is definitely worth considering.