An Aternos alternative that wakes when your friends join
Aternos made free Minecraft servers normal, and its trade-offs are known: a queue when the free machines are busy, ads on the site, and a server that stops when empty until someone logs in to press start. The free FadeHost server has none of the three.
The differences that matter
| Aternos | FadeHost free | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, ad-supported | Free, no ads, no card |
| Starting the server | Someone opens the website and presses start, sometimes after a queue | A player joins; the server wakes and moves them in |
| When empty | Stops | Sleeps after a minute, keeps its place in the server list |
| RAM | Shared, varies with the pack | 2 GB dedicated |
| Panel | Aternos panel | The same panel paid servers use: console, files, plugins, backups on paid tiers |
| Growing | No paid tier | Lite $2/mo, always-on from $2.50/mo, same world |
Moving from Aternos
Download the world from the Aternos panel (Worlds, download), note the software and version and the plugins or mods you used, then create the free server here and upload the world: the step-by-step guide. Plugins reinstall from the Resources tab in a click each.
What Aternos still does that we do not
Free modpacks. The free FadeHost server is 2 GB and runs plugins, not modpacks; the 7-day trial gives 8 GB with any pack and no card, and modded servers are paid after that. If a free modded server is the whole point, Aternos remains the honest answer, queue included.
Frequently asked questions
Is FadeHost free like Aternos?
The free server is free with no card, no ads and no trial clock. It sleeps after a minute without players and wakes when someone joins. Free capacity is limited, and when every slot is taken you create the account and claim one when a slot frees up.
Is there a queue?
No. A slot is yours until you stop using it for a couple of weeks.
Can I move my Aternos world?
Yes: download it from Aternos, upload it here through the file manager or SFTP. The move guide has the steps.
Can I run a modpack for free?
Not on the free server (2 GB). The trial gives 8 GB with any pack for a week, no card; after that a 6 GB server is $7.50 a month.