# How to Set Up a Game Server on Your VPS

> Canonical: https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-set-up-a-game-server-on-your-vps/ · Last modified: 2026-08-20T06:47:45+00:00

A VPS is a great home for a game server: dedicated CPU cores, a low-latency network and always-on DDoS protection mean smooth play for you and your friends. This guide uses Minecraft as an example, but the approach applies to most game servers.

## Pick the right plan and location

Game servers are sensitive to CPU and latency. Choose a plan with enough headroom - **VPS Start** or **VPS Plus** suits most small-to-medium Minecraft communities - and deploy in the region closest to your players.

## Example: a Minecraft server

- Install Java: `sudo apt install openjdk-21-jre-headless`
- Create a folder, download the server JAR, and accept the EULA
- Start it: `java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar nogui`
- Run it inside `screen` or a `systemd` service so it survives disconnects

## Open the game port in the firewall

Add a rule in the VPS **Firewall** tab for your game's port (for example, TCP **25565** for Minecraft). Players then connect using your VPS IP address.

## JetHost Experts Tip

For hosting several games or letting friends manage servers, install a panel like **Pterodactyl**. It gives each server its own container, resource limits and web console.

## Need More Help?

With dedicated cores and DDoS protection built in, your VPS makes a fast, reliable game host. If you get stuck, the JetHost team is available 24/7 and usually answers in under five minutes - just [contact us](https://jethost.com/contact-us/) and we'll help you sort it out. Explore our other [VPS tutorials](https://jethost.com/kb/category/vps/) to get the most out of your server.