What Your Friends Actually Need to Join
Before you set up a server, it helps to understand what your friends actually need on their end. They need a legitimate copy of Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition, depending on which version you plan to run. Connecting to a server requires nothing more than the server's IP address or domain name and the port number (25565 is the default, so if you are using that your friends can often leave the port field blank). Friends do not need to install any special software to join a vanilla or lightly modded server; they just open their Minecraft client, click Multiplayer, and add the server address. If you plan to run a modded server with Forge or Fabric, your friends will need the same mod loader and mod files installed, which adds a setup step. For a first friend server, starting with Paper and a few quality-of-life plugins keeps the barrier to entry as low as possible.
Self-Hosting vs a Free Host
Running a server on your own PC is free in the sense that you are not paying a third party, but it comes with real costs. Your internet upload speed needs to be fast enough to serve all your friends simultaneously: a typical Minecraft player uses about 10-20 KB/s of upload, so a group of six needs at least 120 KB/s of reliable upload bandwidth. Your computer also has to stay on whenever anyone wants to play, and your home IP address may change periodically. Port forwarding can be a challenge on networks with strict firewalls. A free dedicated host removes all of these problems: the server has a static IP, always-on hardware, and a datacenter-grade connection. For most friend groups, a free hosted server is less hassle than running one on a home PC and produces a better experience for everyone in the group.
Getting a Slot on NetSkyway
NetSkyway provides free Minecraft server hosting on real dedicated hardware, no credit card required. The process is simple: join the Discord server at discord.gg/QXKNwaWVJ2 and post a request in the #request-server channel. The team will provision your server and you will receive your server's address and login details for the management panel. The hardware behind your server is either an Intel i9-13900K running at 5.8 GHz or an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X at 5.7 GHz with DDR5 RAM and NVMe storage. That is the same class of hardware paid hosting services charge $20 to $50 per month for. You manage your server entirely through panel.netskyway.net, which gives you a browser-based console, file manager, configuration editor, and the ability to start and stop the server. SFTP access is also available for bulk uploads.
Sharing the Server Address
Once your server is provisioned, you will have an IP address or domain name to share with your group. The simplest way to distribute this is to post it in whatever group chat you already use, whether that is Discord, a group text, or something else. Your friends add it as a new server in Minecraft by going to Multiplayer, then Add Server, and pasting the address. If the server is running on port 25565, the address alone is sufficient. If it is on a different port, they need to enter it as address:port, for example play.example.com:25566. For a small friend group, the address does not need to be kept secret, but if you prefer privacy, keep it within the group and set up a whitelist so only approved players can join. The Minecraft server panel at panel.netskyway.net gives you direct console access to run whitelist commands.
Whitelisting Your Group
A whitelist prevents strangers from joining your server if the IP address ever leaks. Enabling it is straightforward: in the server console at panel.netskyway.net, run the command `whitelist on` to activate it, then `whitelist add PlayerName` for each friend's Minecraft username. If a friend changes their username, you add the new name and they can join again. You can also edit the `whitelist.json` file directly via the file manager if you prefer managing the list that way. For a friend server, the whitelist removes the need to moderate chat or worry about griefers, which makes the whole experience more relaxed. If you want to occasionally let someone new try the server before adding them permanently, operators can temporarily bypass the whitelist with the `whitelist` command while the person connects.
Tips for a Good Friend Server
A few small tweaks make a big difference for a private friend server. Install EssentialsX so players can set named home points: with a persistent world that grows over time, teleporting back to your base saves enormous amounts of time. Add a dynmap plugin if your group enjoys seeing an overhead view of the world as it develops. Set a shared spawn point in a central location and build a simple shared storage room near spawn where people leave surplus resources. Consider installing CoreProtect, a block logging plugin, so if something gets accidentally broken or a player makes a mistake, the admin can roll it back. Finally, the NetSkyway hibernation system means the server automatically pauses when everyone logs off and wakes in under a second when the first person connects, so the server is always ready without wasting resources overnight.