Playing modded Minecraft with friends has always been harder than it should be. You agree on a modpack, then someone has to rent a server, find the right serverpack, upload it, share an IP, and talk everyone through installing the same mods at the same versions. The modded part is the fun part. The setup part never was.

CurseForge has been the ultimate hub for modded Minecraft, and from the beginning we wanted to have this experience to be easier, and much smoother for our players. This moment has arrived:

Today we are starting the rollout of CurseForge Servers (BETA). Pick the modpack you want to play, create a server from it in a few clicks, and send your friends one link. That is it.

You will find it under the Servers tab in the CurseForge app. We are rolling it out gradually, so if the tab is not there yet, it is on its way to you.

Start From the Modpack, Not The Server

Most server hosting starts with an empty server and leaves the modded part to you, so we flipped it around.

Open the Servers tab, choose the modpack you already want to play, and create a server from it. The pack is already there, already at the right version, already set up to run. There is nothing to upload or set up manually.

At launch this works with modpacks that already have a serverpack on CurseForge. Support for any modpack, including your own custom ones, is coming (more on that below).

See How it Works:

One Link, and Your Friends Are In

Every server you create has a share link or code.

When a friend clicks it, the CurseForge app takes over: it downloads the modpack, launches the game, and connects them to your server. If they do not have the app yet, the link installs it first and then does the same thing.

Authors Earn From Every Server

Servers run on modpacks (well, serverpacks, but let's not be picky) and modpacks are made by authors. So 20% of the net income from CurseForge Servers goes back to mod authors!

It runs through the Rewards program you already know, starting on day one:

• It reaches the modpack author and the authors of every mod inside that pack, the same way Rewards already works.
• There is nothing to apply for and no box to tick. If your work is on a server someone is running, you earn from it.

Powered by Shockbyte

Shockbyte is our hosting partner for CurseForge Servers. Just like us, they understood the mission and joined us on the journey of delivering a better experience for modders.

Shockbyte has already done a lot of work to make sure the process runs more seamlessly, and is still working with us on how to take this to the next level.

What is Coming Next?

CurseForge Servers is in beta and the rollout is gradual too, so the updated tab will not appear for everyone at once. There are still many missing features we are planning to deliver, and we'd love to get your feedback on our Discord.

Here is what we are working on:

• Recommended server settings. The right configuration and RAM for the pack you want to play, so you do not overpay or pick something too weak.
• Upgrading and downgrading a server. Change plan as your group grows or shrinks.
• Creating a server from the CurseForge website, not only the app.
• Data breakdown for authors. Full information on daily rewards coming from servers.
• Gifting a server. Because your friends deserve more.

We are exploring even more big ideas that we want to bring to you, such as automatic serverpacks, spinning servers straight from a profile you've created on the spot, and more.

Thank You to Everyone Who Tested It

Authors and players from the community have been running servers, breaking things, and telling us exactly what was wrong for the past few weeks. A lot of what is in this release is here because of that feedback.

Thank you. Genuinely.

How do I make a modded Minecraft server for me and my friends?

Open the CurseForge app, go to the Servers tab, pick the modpack you want to play, and create a server from it. The modpack is set up for you, and you get a link or code to invite your friends.

Which modpacks can I use to create a server?

At launch, any modpack that already has a serverpack on CurseForge. Support for every public modpack, and for custom modpacks you build yourself, is on the way.

How do my friends join my modded Minecraft server?

Send them your server's share link. Clicking it opens the CurseForge app, downloads the modpack, launches Minecraft, and connects them to your server. If they do not have the app, the link installs it first.

Do my friends need to install the mods themselves?

No. The app downloads the correct modpack at the correct version for them. Nobody has to match mod lists by hand.

How much does a CurseForge server cost?

There are three pricing tiers: Iron, Gold, and Diamond - each has it's own features, as seen in the image below. In every plan you choose, 20% of net income goes to the authors of the modpack (serverpack) installed on the server.

Coming soon: Custom plans for servers and discounted longer-period plans.

Can I use an existing Minecraft world on my server?

Yes, you can! Follow this quick guide on the Shockbyte knowledgebase to see how.

How much RAM do I need for a modded Minecraft server?

It depends on the modpack and how many people are playing. For now, pick a plan that fits your pack and your group. Recommended settings per modpack, based on Shockbyte's benchmarking, is a feature we are working on.

Can I upgrade or downgrade my server later?

Not yet. Changing a server plan is not supported during the beta, so choose the size that fits your group now. It is one of the first things we are adding.

Do mod authors get paid when I host a server?

Yes. 20% of net income goes back through the Rewards program to the modpack author and to the authors of the mods inside that pack. It is automatic.

Why do I not see the Servers tab in my CurseForge app?

We are rolling the feature out gradually, so it reaches players in stages. If the tab is not there yet, it will be soon. Keeping your app updated is the best way to get it as early as possible.

Tell us what you think

This is a beta, and your feedback decides what we fix and what we build next.

Come tell us in the CurseForge Discord's new channel, #servers-feedback: what worked, what broke, and what you want from CurseForge Servers next.