Make a Minecraft SMP server with friends

Updated 4 November 2026

An SMP (survival multiplayer) is a survival world where the same group plays together for weeks or months: everyone builds a base, trades and takes part in events. For an SMP with friends you need a server that is always online, a whitelist, protection against griefing and a few plugins. On ServerSpark, a friends SMP of up to 5 players runs on 2 GB (€1.89 per month paid per quarter), 5 to 15 players with plugins on 4 GB (€4.19).

Which plan for your SMP?

Prices include 21% VAT. Start smaller if you're unsure: you can upgrade later and your world stays where it is. See How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?

Set up your SMP in 6 steps

1. Order on Minecraft server hosting. Choose Germany (Falkenstein or Nuremberg) or Finland (Helsinki) as location. The server runs Paper, which is what most SMPs use.
2. Quick setup. In SparkPanel, go to Settings → Quick setup and choose Survival with friends: survival, normal difficulty, whitelist on, only official Minecraft accounts, and CoreProtect installed so you can undo griefing. Restart the server.
3. Add your players to the whitelist with whitelist add PlayerName in the console, and make yourself OP with op YourName. All commands are in whitelist, op and bans.
4. Install your SMP plugins from the Plugins tab (see the list below).
5. Set the rules, for example in server.properties and the game rules: PvP on or off, keepInventory, one player sleeping. See Minecraft game rules explained.
6. Share the address from Network. Phone and console friends can join too with Geyser.

Plugins most SMPs use

• CoreProtect: see who broke what and roll it back. See Undo griefing with CoreProtect.
• A land claim plugin such as GriefPrevention, so players can protect their base themselves.
• LuckPerms: ranks such as member, helper and admin without handing out OP. See ranks with LuckPerms.
• Simple Voice Chat: proximity voice, using the extra port every Java plan includes. See voice chat on your server.
• Geyser: lets Bedrock players (phone, console) join your Java SMP. See Geyser.
• Chunky: pre-generate the world before launch, so exploring doesn't lag the server.

More ideas: the best plugins for a small Minecraft server. Running a lifesteal or hardcore SMP? Lifesteal plugins exist on Modrinth and Hangar; check that the plugin supports your Minecraft version before you install it.

Running an SMP for a longer time

• Let trusted friends help. SparkPanel lets up to 5 friends start the server and use the console, so it doesn't all depend on you.
• Discord notifications. Your Discord channel can hear when the server goes online or offline.
• Backups. Every server gets a nightly backup at a separate location; also make your own backup in Backups before big events or updates.
• A daily restart via Schedules keeps the server fast. See Minecraft server online 24/7.
• Public SMP? Read public or private before you open it to strangers.

Frequently asked questions