Do you want to play with friends without a monthly bill? In this article you will learn the main free paths and why SquidServers is a strong first choice for most groups.

Free local self hosting with SquidServers

SquidServers is a self-hosting platform. You install it, choose Vanilla, Paper or Modpack, create or import a world, set RAM with a slider, and launch. It is free to use and your files stay on your machine. You can play and host on the same PC.

Free community platforms

Some platforms offer a free tier that runs on their hardware. These can be fine for quick tests, but they often have limits or queues. If you want full control over mods and versions with no queues, local hosting with SquidServers is simpler.

How to choose

If you value control and a quick start, use SquidServers. If you want a no install test on someone else’s hardware, try a free platform first, then switch to SquidServers when you need more freedom.