How to Install a Modpack on Exaroton: Complete Guide with BTH Example | Jangro.com

Setting up a modded Minecraft server doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Exaroton offers a unique pay-per-hour hosting model that's perfect for casual players or groups who don't need 24/7 server uptime. In this guide, I'll walk you through installing any modpack on Exaroton, using the popular BTH - Beyond the Horizon modpack as our example.

⚠️ Important Storage Limitation: Exaroton is NOT suitable for running Distant Horizons on the server. Each server has a hard 10GB storage limit, which will quickly be exceeded by DH LODs on top of normal world generation. You MUST disable DH on the server (clients can still use it locally). See Special Consideration for BTH with Distant Horizons for details.

Quick Start: If you're here to install a modpack that doesn't have one-click installation, skip directly to the manual installation section.

Getting Started

Why Choose Exaroton?
- Pay-Per-Hour Pricing Model
Getting Started with Exaroton

Installation Methods

One-Click Installation (Craftoria Example)
Manual Installation (BTH)
- Download and Prepare Server Pack
- Upload to Exaroton

Server Configuration

RAM and Auto-Management
- Distant Horizons Considerations
- Custom Domain Setup
Starting Your Server
Connection Details

Server Management

Management Features Overview

Optimization & Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Common Issues
Performance Optimization
- BTH Generation Strategy
- Server Costs

Analysis & Conclusions

Test Results
Cost Analysis
Common Questions
Final Verdict

Why Choose Exaroton?

Before diving into the installation, let's understand what makes Exaroton different:

Pay-Per-Hour Pricing Model

Unlike traditional Minecraft hosting that charges monthly fees regardless of usage, Exaroton only charges for the time your server is actually running:

1 credit = 1 GB RAM per hour
300 credits = $3.57 (minimum purchase)

For example, running a 4GB server for 5 hours costs just 20 credits (about $0.24). This makes it incredibly cost-effective for friend groups who play together a few times a week.

Getting Started with Exaroton

Step 1: Create Your Account

Head to exaroton.com and create your account. New users receive 5 free credits to get started - enough to test out a small server for a few hours.

Once logged in, you'll see the main dashboard with your credit balance displayed at the top. The interface is clean and straightforward, with a prominent "Create a server" button.

Step 2: Buy Credits (Optional but Recommended)

While you start with 5 free credits, you'll likely want to purchase more for extended testing. The credit purchase interface is refreshingly simple:

The slider lets you choose from 300 to 5000 credits:

300 credits = $3.57 (minimum purchase)
500 credits = $5.95 (extended testing)
1000 credits = $11.90
2000 credits = $23.80

For testing BTH with 12GB RAM, 500 credits gives you about 41 hours of playtime - plenty for thorough testing!

The purchase process is quick and straightforward - you'll receive an email confirmation with your order details.

Additional features visible here:

Credit pools: Allocate credits to specific servers or share with friends
Payments: View payment history
Transactions: Track detailed credit usage

Credit pools appear to be a budget management system where you can:

Allocate specific amounts of credits to pools
Assign servers to pools (limiting their credit consumption)
Add members to pools (possibly restricting which credits they can use)

I've created a "BTH" pool for our test server. Note: The free starter credits cannot be allocated to pools - you need to purchase credits first. This makes sense as a way to ensure the free credits are used for testing rather than shared.

Step 3: Create a New Server

Click the green "Create a server" button to begin setting up your modpack server.

The server creation interface offers several key options:

Edition Selection:

Java Edition (selected) - For standard Minecraft and modpacks
Bedrock Edition - For Windows 10/Mobile/Console crossplay

Server Configuration:

Server Address: You get a subdomain like jangro.exaroton.me
MOTD (Message of the Day): Customize your server's description
Server Icon: Upload a custom 64x64 pixel icon

Region Selection:

Europe or North America - Choose based on your player base location

Blueprints:

Pre-built game modes created by the Exaroton team
Includes minigames like Tower Battle, Sky Islands, Parkour Race
Great for quick setup but not what we need for modpacks
Simply skip this for modpack installation

Blueprints are Exaroton's ready-to-play game modes - perfect for minigame servers but not applicable for modpack installation. We'll leave this unselected.

Step 4: Initial Server Creation

For modpack installation, we'll:

Leave Blueprints unselected
Select your region (North America or Europe)
Click Create to generate the base server

Success! Your server is created at jangro.exaroton.me.

Important: Backup Protection

Exaroton immediately prompts you to set up automatic backups - this is crucial because servers can be deleted if you run out of credits. They offer free automatic backups to:

Google Drive
OneDrive
Dropbox

This is actually a great safety feature - your world data is protected even if you forget to add credits. After connecting to Google Drive (standard OAuth process), you're taken to the main server dashboard.

Step 5: Server Dashboard Overview

The server dashboard is your control center. Here's what you see:

Left Sidebar Navigation:

Server: Main dashboard (current view)
Options: Server settings and configuration
Console: Direct server console access
Log: View server logs
Players: Manage whitelist and operators
Software: Install modpacks and change versions (key for our setup!)
Files: File manager for direct server file access
Worlds: Manage multiple worlds
Backups: Manual and automatic backup management
Access: Share server access with others
Transactions: Track credit usage

Main Panel:

Server address: jangro.exaroton.me
Status: Offline (red bar)
Big green Start button (currently free - server isn't running)
Current software: Vanilla 1.21.8
Change button next to software (this is where we'll install BTH!)

Step 6: The Software Selection Page

Click Software in the left sidebar to see all available server types:

Exaroton offers an impressive array of server software options:

Blueprints: Pre-configured game modes (Sky Islands, Lost Miners, etc.)
Vanilla, Snapshot, Paper/Bukkit, Spigot: Standard server types
Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, Forge: Modded server platforms
Modpacks: Pre-configured modpack installations
Bedrock Edition: For console/mobile crossplay
Proxy servers: BungeeCord, Velocity for networks

Step 7: Choosing Your Modpack Installation Method

Since BTH isn't in the pre-configured modpacks list, we have two options:

Option A: Direct CurseForge Installation (If Available)
Click Modpacks to see pre-configured packs:

The CurseForge section shows many popular modpacks like All the Mods, Create, and SkyFactory variants. Unfortunately, BTH - Beyond the Horizon isn't listed here yet.

Option B: Custom Forge Installation (What We'll Use)

Since BTH isn't pre-configured, we'll use the Custom (Forge) option. First, we need to know which Forge version BTH requires.

The Forge page shows all available versions. BTH typically requires a specific Forge version that matches its Minecraft version. You'll need to check the modpack's requirements (usually Minecraft 1.20.1 with a specific Forge version).

Step 8: Understanding Installation Methods

Before we proceed with BTH, let's see how easy it is when a modpack IS in Exaroton's catalog. Here's what happens with Craftoria as an example:

When you click on a supported modpack like Craftoria, you get:

Full modpack details (version, Minecraft version, description)
Direct CurseForge link for reference
A simple Reinstall button (which acts as Install for new setups)

The reinstall dialog warns you that your current world will be deleted, but offers a Create backup option (always recommended!). Click Yes, Reinstall to proceed.

That's it! The green checkmark shows the modpack is installed. The entire process takes about 30 seconds. After installation, your server dashboard clearly shows:

The installed modpack name (CurseForge Craftoria)
The version number (1.23.0 in this case)
A green "Change" button if you want to switch modpacks

Important: Make note of the exact version shown - you'll need to install the same version on your client to connect!

Managing Multiple Servers

Exaroton allows you to create multiple servers on one account. Each server:

Has its own unique subdomain
Can run different modpacks or versions
Uses credits from your shared pool
Can be managed independently

This is perfect for testing different modpacks or running separate servers for different friend groups. Now let's create a second server for BTH to demonstrate the manual installation process.

Step 9: Creating a Server for BTH Manual Installation

Prerequisites for Manual Installation:

An Exaroton account (free signup at exaroton.com)
Purchased credits (minimum 300 credits = $3.57)
Java installed locally (Adoptium recommended)
About 30-45 minutes for the complete process

Let's create a dedicated server for BTH (or any modpack) that requires manual installation:

From your Exaroton dashboard, click Create
Your new server gets a unique subdomain (e.g., jangro-d2ou.exaroton.me)
Keep Java Edition selected
Select your region (North America or Europe)
Leave Blueprints unselected - this is crucial for manual modpack installation
Click the green Create button

Step 10: Installing BTH - The Manual Process

Since BTH isn't in Exaroton's catalog, we need to install it manually. Here's the complete process:

The Correct Way: Download and Prepare Server Pack

The easiest method is to use the complete server pack:

Download the Server Pack:
- Option A: In CurseForge App, click "Download Server Pack" button (next to Play)
- Option B: On CurseForge.com → Files → Latest Version → Additional Files → Server Pack
- Note: The CurseForge app version may not unzip properly on some systems
Extract the ZIP to an empty folder on your computer
Run the start script to download all mods:
- Windows: Double-click startserver.bat or run it in Command Prompt
- Mac/Linux: Open Terminal in the folder and run ./startserver.sh
- Requires Java installed (Adoptium recommended)
- The script will download all mods and dependencies (5-10 minutes)
- Stop when you see the EULA prompt - you don't need to accept it or fully start the server
- The goal is just to download all the mod files
Verify the download completed:
- Check that the mods folder now contains 200+ .jar files
- Confirm libraries folder has been populated
- You should see config folders like defaultconfigs and kubejs
- Total size will be several hundred MB

Part 3: Upload to Exaroton as Custom Software

With your complete server pack prepared:

Navigate to your Exaroton server
Go to Software → Custom (Forge)

Upload the prepared server folder:
- Simply drag the entire server folder onto the upload area - no need to select individual files!
- The executable may show as unix_args.txt - this is normal, Exaroton reads launch parameters from this file
- Verify the Minecraft version shows correctly (1.20.1)
- Exaroton automatically identifies and includes all necessary components:
  - ✅ config - Mod configurations
  - ✅ defaultconfigs - Default mod settings
  - ✅ mods - All 200+ mod JAR files
  - ✅ libraries - Forge and mod dependencies
  - ✅ kubejs - Custom scripts (if applicable)
  - ❌ logs - Automatically excluded
  - ❌ startserver scripts - Automatically excluded
Click Install and wait:
- Upload and installation takes 10-20 minutes for large modpacks
- You'll see a progress bar during the upload
- Note: If you get an error, click Install again - it often succeeds on the second attempt
- BTH with 200+ mods requires patience!

Step 11: After Installation - Starting Your Server

Once installation completes (there's minimal indication), navigate to your server:

The server dashboard now shows:

BTH is installed as the software
Default 4GB RAM allocation (we'll need to increase this)
Green Start button ready to launch

Step 12: Server Configuration - RAM and Auto-Management

Navigate to Options in the sidebar to configure your server:

RAM Allocation:

BTH Minimum: 8-10GB for basic play
Recommended: 10-12GB for smooth performance
With multiple players: 12-16GB
Adjust the slider and click Save

Auto-Start/Stop Settings:

Exaroton offers automatic server management to save credits:

Start when: Auto-start when players try to connect
Stop when: Auto-stop after X minutes of inactivity
Default: Both are OFF - you manually control the server

Special Consideration for BTH with Distant Horizons

BTH includes Distant Horizons, which generates Level of Detail (LOD) data for distant terrain.

⚠️ CRITICAL LIMITATION: Exaroton servers have a 10GB storage limit. To put this in perspective:

Vanilla Minecraft World Storage:

Moderate exploration (±5,000 blocks from spawn): 500MB-1GB
Heavy exploration (±10,000 blocks): 2-4GB
Extreme exploration (±20,000 blocks): 8-15GB

With Distant Horizons:

128-chunk LOD radius: 5-10GB for LOD data alone
256-chunk LOD radius (recommended): 20-30GB+ for LOD data
This is in addition to regular world storage

This means Distant Horizons can consume the entire 10GB allowance just for LOD data, leaving no room for actual world growth.

Required Solution for Exaroton:

You MUST disable Distant Horizons on the server entirely
Remove or disable the Distant Horizons server-side mod
Let clients use Distant Horizons locally only
Each player generates and stores their own LODs on their computer
This is the ONLY viable approach with the 10GB limit

Why server-side DH must be disabled:

Even without pre-generation, normal exploration will hit 10GB
Once you hit 10GB, your server becomes unplayable
There's no way to predict when you'll hit the limit
Even if you could delete LOD data, it would quickly regenerate as players explore

Alternative: If server-side Distant Horizons is important to you, Exaroton is not suitable for BTH. Choose a traditional host with 50GB+ storage instead.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Do NOT use Chunky! Use DH's built-in pregen command if you do any generation.

Custom Domain Setup

From the Options page, you can also configure custom domains:

Default: Your server gets an auto-generated subdomain (e.g., jangro-d2ou.exaroton.me)
Custom Subdomain: Choose your own name (e.g., mybthserver.exaroton.me)
Own Domain: Point your own domain to your Exaroton server
This makes it easier for players to remember your server address!

After configuring, return to the Server tab and click Start

During startup, you can monitor progress in the console. The single-line view shows the current loading status.

Once running, the server shows:

Green "Online" status
RAM usage (watch this - if it maxes out, increase allocation)
TPS (Ticks Per Second) - should be 20 for smooth gameplay
Player count
Connection details via the connect button

Step 13: Getting Your Server Connection Details

Click the connect button to reveal your server addresses:

You'll see two addresses:

Regular Address: yourserver.exaroton.me - Your permanent server address
DynIP: A numeric IP that changes each server start

Understanding the DynIP

The DynIP exists because Exaroton uses dynamic hosting - your server starts on different machines each time. While your main address (like jangro.exaroton.me) always stays the same, it needs DNS updates to point to the new machine.

When to use the DynIP:

If you can't connect with the regular address (DNS hasn't updated yet)
If you just restarted your server and connection fails
For immediate connection after server start

Why it matters: DNS caching can take a few minutes to update worldwide. The DynIP bypasses DNS entirely, connecting directly to your server's current IP address.

Important Note: Custom software installation requires purchased credits!

If you're using the free 5 starter credits, you'll see this message: "This is only possible after you have purchased your first credits."

Why credits are required:

Custom installations use more server resources
The free credits are for testing standard configurations only
This is a one-time requirement - once you have any purchased credits, you can install custom software

To proceed:

Purchase credits (minimum 300 credits = $3.57 - enough for ~25 hours with a 12GB server)
Return to Software → Custom (Forge) after purchasing
Continue with the upload

Alternative Option: If you want to test without purchasing credits first, you could try using Forge 47.4.0 or 47.4.6 from the standard list. Many mods are forward-compatible with minor Forge updates, though some might have issues. For production use, always match the exact Forge version.

Reality Check: The 5 free credits won't be enough for BTH anyway! With BTH requiring 12GB minimum, you'd burn through 5 credits in just 25 minutes. You'll need to purchase credits regardless, so you might as well get the exact Forge version working properly.

Wait for the custom Forge installation to complete

Step 14: Connecting to Your BTH Server

Once the server is running:

Add the Modpack to Your Client:
- Install BTH through CurseForge, ATLauncher, or Prism Launcher
- Ensure you have the exact same version as the server (1.6.0 in our case)
Add Your Server:
- Open Minecraft with BTH loaded
- Click Multiplayer → Add Server
- Enter your server address from the connect button
- Use the regular address first (e.g., jangro-d2ou.exaroton.me)
- If that fails, try the DynIP instead
Connect and Play:
- The first connection may take a moment as chunks generate
- Monitor server TPS - if it drops below 20, consider more RAM
- Enjoy BTH with your friends!

Server Management Features

Once your server is running, Exaroton provides comprehensive management tools through the sidebar:

Log Viewer

The Log tab shows real-time server logs with color coding:

Green: Normal mod loading and server operations
Yellow/Orange: Warnings (usually harmless mod compatibility notes)
Red: Errors (may need attention)
Share button: Export logs for troubleshooting help
Useful for monitoring mod loading progress and debugging issues

Player Management

The Players tab lets you manage server access:

Whitelist: Control who can join your server
Operators: Grant admin permissions to trusted players
Banned Players: Block problematic users
Online Players: See who's currently connected
Perfect for private servers with friends

Mod Management

The Mods tab provides individual mod control:

View all installed mods with versions
Enable/disable specific mods without removing them
Add new mods from CurseForge or upload .jar files
Useful for troubleshooting mod conflicts
Warning: Removing mods may corrupt existing worlds

File Manager

The Files tab offers complete server file access:

Browse all server directories
Edit configuration files directly in browser
Upload new files or download backups
Delete unnecessary files to save space
Essential for tweaking mod configs and server properties

World Management

The Worlds tab manages your game worlds:

Switch between multiple worlds
Upload existing worlds from single-player
Download worlds for local backup
Reset or delete worlds
Configure world-specific settings
Optimize worlds to reduce file size

About the Optimize Feature:
Exaroton offers an "Optimize" option that removes unused chunks to keep world file sizes manageable. This can help with vanilla world storage, but it does NOT affect Distant Horizons LOD data. DH stores its data separately from world chunks, so even if chunks are optimized away, the LOD data remains untouched. This is another reason why DH must be disabled on Exaroton servers - the optimize feature won't help manage LOD storage.

Backup System

The Backups tab provides world protection:

Automatic backups: To Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox
Manual backups: Create snapshots before major changes
Restore options: Roll back to previous states
Download backups: Keep local copies
Critical for modded servers where corruption is possible

The Access tab enables server collaboration:

Share server management with friends
Grant different permission levels
Allow others to start/stop the server
Share credit costs with co-owners
Perfect for group-managed servers

Credit Tracking

The Transactions tab tracks your credit usage:

Detailed breakdown of credit consumption
Historical usage patterns
Per-session costs
Running total of credits spent
Helps optimize your server runtime for budget

Troubleshooting Common BTH Issues

"Mod Version Mismatch" Error

Ensure client and server have identical BTH versions
Check that no additional client-only mods are installed
Verify Forge versions match exactly

Server Crashes on Startup

Check RAM allocation (12GB minimum)
Review console for specific mod conflicts
Try removing OptiFine (incompatible with many BTH mods)
Ensure max-tick-time is set to -1

"Can't Keep Up" Messages

Normal during initial world generation with Distant Horizons
DO NOT use Chunky (removed from BTH due to conflicts)
Reduce view-distance if persistent
Let Distant Horizons handle generation naturally

High Memory Usage Warnings

BTH is memory-intensive by design
Distant Horizons mod increases RAM requirements
Consider upgrading to 16GB if issues persist

Performance Optimization Tips

Generation Strategy for BTH on Exaroton

Critical Issue: Exaroton's 10GB storage limit makes server-side LOD generation impractical for BTH.

Storage Reality Check:

Vanilla world with moderate exploration: 500MB-1GB
Vanilla world with heavy exploration: 2-4GB
BTH modpack files and configs: ~2GB
Distant Horizons LODs (128-chunk radius): 5-10GB additional
Distant Horizons LODs (256-chunk radius): 20-30GB+ additional

Required Configuration for Exaroton:

Remove Distant Horizons from the server completely
- Delete the DistantHorizons server-side .jar file
- Or disable it in the mod configuration
Keep Distant Horizons on clients only
- Players can still use DH for better visuals
- Each player's LODs are stored on their own computer
- No server storage is used for LODs

What this means for players:

Each player starts with no distant terrain visible
Players must explore areas themselves to generate LODs
Different players will see different distant terrain
LODs are not shared between players
But at least your server won't crash from storage limits

Why this is mandatory:

Even normal gameplay will eventually exceed 10GB with server-side DH
Once you hit the limit, the server becomes unplayable
There's no practical way to manage or clean up LOD storage
Backups need space too
The 10GB limit will be hit quickly with server-side LODs

For servers with adequate storage (not Exaroton):

Use the DH command: /dh pregen start overworld 0 0 512
This generates a 512-chunk radius with all biomes
Expect ~20GB disk usage for a fully pre-generated overworld

Why NOT Chunky:

Chunky was removed from BTH 1.6.2 due to DH conflicts
Pre-generating chunks without LODs causes visual holes
DH's pregen handles both chunks AND LODs correctly

Note: Chunky is great for other modpacks without Distant Horizons!

Mod-Specific Optimizations

Server-Side LODs:

Keep server-side LODs ENABLED for best player experience
Players receive pre-generated LODs immediately
Reduces client-side generation lag
Yes, it uses more server resources, but that's the point - offloading work from clients

Create Mod Contraptions:

Limit large contraptions to loaded chunks
Use chunk loaders sparingly
Monitor TPS when building automation

Tips for Optimizing Your Server Costs

Stop your server when not in use - There's no charge for offline servers
Adjust RAM based on player count - You can change RAM allocation anytime
Use the auto-stop feature - Set your server to automatically stop after a period of inactivity
Monitor your credit usage - The dashboard shows detailed usage statistics

Expected Performance: What to Anticipate with BTH on Exaroton

Note: These are theoretical expectations based on Exaroton's infrastructure and BTH's requirements. I'll update this section with actual test results once I've run the server for a week.

Performance Expectations

TPS: Should maintain 20 TPS with adequate RAM (12GB)
Chunk Loading: May experience some lag with Distant Horizons during initial generation
Mob Spawning: Should work normally as it's not affected by hosting type
Contraptions: Create mod machines should function as on any other host

My expectation is that on-demand hosting shouldn't impact gameplay performance once the server is running.

Startup Time Concerns

Cold Start: Likely 2-3 minutes for the container to spin up
Mod Loading: BTH with 200+ mods will add 3-5 minutes
Total: Expecting ~6-8 minutes from click to playable

This could be the biggest downside - you'll need to plan ahead rather than jumping in spontaneously.

Data Persistence Questions

World Saves: Should preserve between sessions (critical to verify)
Player Data: Inventories and positions should remain intact
Mod Data: Need to confirm waypoints, quests, and configs persist
Backups: The automatic backup feature looks promising but untested

This is the most important aspect to test - losing progress would be a dealbreaker.

Pricing Transparency

Based on their documentation:

No setup fees mentioned
No bandwidth charges listed
No backup storage fees indicated
No surprise add-ons found

The pricing appears straightforward, but I'll confirm after a billing cycle.

Theoretical Usage Scenarios

Here's what a typical week might cost with a 12GB BTH server:

Monday: 3 hours gaming = 36 credits ($0.43)
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: 2 hours = 24 credits ($0.29)
Thursday: Off
Friday: 5 hours = 60 credits ($0.71)
Saturday: 8 hours = 96 credits ($1.14)
Sunday: 4 hours = 48 credits ($0.57)

Weekly Estimate: 264 credits ($3.14)
Monthly Projection: ~$12-15

This would represent significant savings compared to traditional 12GB hosting at $48-60/month - if the service performs as expected.

Special Case: Distant Horizons Initial Generation

If you choose to run BTH continuously for LOD generation:

10GB server for 48 hours: 480 credits (~$5.71)
10GB server for 72 hours: 720 credits (~$8.57)
This one-time cost gives you pre-generated terrain for smoother gameplay
After initial generation, switch to on-demand to save credits

Common Questions

How much RAM do I need?

For vanilla or lightly modded:

2-4 players: 3-4 GB
5-10 players: 4-6 GB
10+ players: 6-8 GB or more

For heavy modpacks like BTH:

1-2 players: 8-10 GB minimum
3-5 players: 12 GB recommended
5+ players: 16 GB optimal

Can I switch modpacks later?

Yes! You can change your server's modpack anytime through the dashboard. Your world can be backed up before switching.

Is there a minimum commitment?

No contracts or minimum purchases. Buy credits as needed, starting from 300 credits ($3.57).

What happens if I run out of credits?

Your server stops but data is preserved. You have time to add credits before any deletion occurs (with multiple warnings).

Can friends help pay for the server?

Yes! Credit pools allow you to share costs. Friends can contribute credits to a shared pool.

Cost Analysis: Is Exaroton Really Worth It?

The Numbers Don't Lie (But Let's Test Them)

When I first calculated these costs, I thought there had to be a catch. Let's break down the real costs for running BTH - Beyond the Horizon, a demanding modpack that requires significant resources:

BTH Server Requirements

Minimum: 8GB RAM (barely functional)
Recommended: 10-12GB RAM (smooth for 2-4 players)
Optimal: 16GB RAM (exploration-heavy, 5+ players)

Note: BTH includes the Distant Horizons mod which performs intensive world generation tasks, making these requirements non-negotiable.

Cost Comparison Table

Server Size	Exaroton (per hour)	Traditional Hosting (monthly)	Break-even Point
8GB RAM	$0.095/hr	$32-40/mo	337-421 hrs/mo (11-14 hrs/day)
12GB RAM	$0.143/hr	$48-60/mo	336-420 hrs/mo (11-14 hrs/day)
16GB RAM	$0.19/hr	$64-80/mo	337-421 hrs/mo (11-14 hrs/day)

Real-World Usage Scenarios

The Weekend Warrior (10 hours/week, 12GB server)

Exaroton: ~$6/month
Traditional: $48-60/month
Savings: $42-54/month (87-90%)

The Evening Gamer (3 hours/day, 12GB server)

Exaroton: ~$13/month
Traditional: $48-60/month
Savings: $35-47/month (73-78%)

The Dedicated Group (6 hours/day, 16GB server)

Exaroton: ~$34/month
Traditional: $64-80/month
Savings: $30-46/month (47-58%)

Key Questions to Answer Through Testing

The potential savings seem almost too good to be true. Here are the critical questions I plan to answer:

Performance: Will on-demand hosting affect server performance?
Startup Time: How long does it really take to get into the game?
Data Persistence: Will worlds and player data survive server restarts?
Hidden Costs: Are there any surprise fees or limitations not mentioned?

I'll update this post with real-world results after thorough testing.

Final Verdict: Who Should Use Exaroton?

Perfect For:

✅ Casual Friend Groups - Play together a few times a week without monthly fees
✅ Modpack Testing - Try different packs without committing to a month
✅ Students/Budget Gamers - Pay only for actual playtime
✅ Event Servers - Run special events without maintaining 24/7 servers
✅ Content Creators - Spin up servers for recording sessions only

Not Ideal For:

❌ 24/7 Public Servers - Traditional hosting becomes cheaper at ~12 hours/day
❌ Large Networks - No BungeeCord/Velocity support for complex setups
❌ Instant Access Needs - 6-8 minute startup for heavy modpacks
❌ Auto-Start User Experience - Players see confusing errors while server boots (connection refused, timeouts) when using "start when player joins" feature; large modpacks take several minutes to load, making this worse
❌ AFK-Heavy Gameplay - You're paying while AFK
❌ Distant Horizons Servers - 10GB storage limit makes server-side LODs impossible

Initial Impressions

Based on my experience setting up BTH on Exaroton, the platform shows tremendous promise with its pay-per-hour model. The potential for 75% savings compared to traditional hosting is compelling for groups that play 20-25 hours per week.

The setup process exceeded my expectations - the one-click installation for supported modpacks is beautifully simple, and even manual installation (like BTH) is more straightforward than I anticipated thanks to the intuitive file manager.

My Take So Far: If these initial impressions hold up under testing, Exaroton could be a game-changer for casual to moderate players. The concept of only paying when you play makes perfect sense, especially if you're currently paying for a server that sits idle more than 12 hours per day.

I'll update this conclusion with a final verdict after extensive testing with actual gameplay.

Ready to Get Started?

Sign up at Exaroton.com - Get 5 free credits
Try the one-click install with a supported modpack first
Graduate to manual installation for packs like BTH
Track your usage for the first month to see real savings

Have questions about specific modpacks or setup issues? Drop a comment below or check out Exaroton's excellent documentation.

Disclaimer: This is an independent guide based on initial setup experience. I'm not affiliated with Exaroton or compensated for this guide. Pricing and features current as of August 2025.

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