How to choose a Minecraft server
What are Minecraft servers?
Minecraft servers are persistent multiplayer worlds built for player communities. Each server defines its own maps, rules, progression, economy, and game modes. MCMonitor combines live ping data with information from verified owners so you can compare active communities before joining.
What types of Minecraft servers are there?
Popular categories include: Survival, Plugins, Herobrine, Creative. Compatible categories can be combined to find a more specific community.
How do I join a Minecraft server?
Open a server page, copy its Java or Bedrock address, and add it in Minecraft's multiplayer menu. Before joining, check the supported client version, account requirements, and whitelist status. Bedrock servers may use a separate address and port; both are shown when available.
How do I find the best server for me?
Start with your edition and game version, then combine game modes, expected player count, country, and access rules. Compare current players, uptime history, screenshots, owner descriptions, and server news. Votes are a useful popularity signal, but stability and the right play style matter more.
What is Minecraft server monitoring?
A monitoring service automatically checks whether servers respond and records their player count, version, and connection latency. MCMonitor separates these live measurements from owner-written descriptions so players can distinguish technical data from promotional content.
How can a server rank higher?
Owners can add an online server, verify ownership through MOTD or DNS, and complete its public page. Accurate versions, useful categories, screenshots, and community links improve visibility. Player votes affect rankings, while fraudulent and repeated votes are restricted.
Frequently asked questions
Are server status and player counts live?
MCMonitor checks listed servers in the background and stores monitoring history. The displayed status, player count, version, and ping come from the latest check. A server may change between checks, so each page also shows when its data was last updated.
Can I select multiple server categories?
Yes. Open “All tags” and select up to ten compatible categories. The catalog stays open while you make your selection. Conflicting combinations such as Survival with Creative, PvP with No PvP, or Vanilla with Modded are disabled to avoid empty or misleading results.
What is the difference between Java and Bedrock servers?
Java Edition is used mainly on computers, while Bedrock Edition supports phones, tablets, consoles, and Windows. Some networks support both editions on separate addresses. Choose the correct edition and client version before joining.
Why can a server appear offline?
A game server may be stopped, restarting, under maintenance, or temporarily unreachable from the monitoring location. An offline status does not remove it from the catalog: owner information remains available and monitoring continues to retry.
How does voting work?
Each visitor can vote for a server once per day after a short anti-automation check. Votes affect catalog rankings. If configured by the owner, MCMonitor can deliver a successful vote through a secure webhook or Votifier to grant an in-game reward.
How can an owner edit a server page?
Add the server to your MCMonitor account and verify control through an MOTD code, DNS TXT record, or manual review. Verification protects existing descriptions and settings from unauthorized changes. A verified owner can later transfer management without deleting the public page.