Shard Hosting
Modded Minecraft server hosting
Modded Minecraft needs a bit more than vanilla: the right mod loader, enough RAM and a way to get your mod files onto the server. Shard Hosting gives you full access to your server files through the Pterodactyl panel, on servers in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from $3.50 a month.
Supported mod loaders
Mods are built for a specific loader, and they only run on that loader. The three you'll see most are:
- Forge, the long-standing loader behind many older and larger modpacks.
- NeoForge, a newer fork of Forge that many recent packs and mods have moved to.
- Fabric, a lightweight loader popular for performance mods and newer versions. Many Fabric mods also need the Fabric API mod.
A Fabric mod won't run on Forge, and the other way round. Before you upload anything, check which loader your mods or modpack are made for, and which Minecraft version.
You can switch your server type, mod loader and Minecraft version yourself in the panel. There's a version changer for picking the loader and version, and a Modrinth and CurseForge browser for finding mods and modpacks without leaving the panel. If you want to start over, you can reinstall the server from the panel too. Make a backup first, because switching or reinstalling can change or replace your files.
Not sure which setup you need? Ask us in a Discord ticket.
How much RAM a modpack needs
Mods use a lot more memory than vanilla or plugin servers, and big packs use much more than small ones. A light pack with a few dozen mods is a very different server from a kitchen-sink pack with hundreds.
Our RAM calculator gives you a starting number. Tell it your Minecraft version, your loader or pack size and how many people play at once, and it suggests a RAM size and the plan that fits. Where a modpack's author publishes their own server requirements, it uses those.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Size for how many people play at the same time at your peak.
- Bigger view distances and big, spread-out worlds use more memory.
- After your server has been running for a week or so, check the memory graph in the panel. If it's always near the top, ask us in a Discord ticket to move to a bigger plan.
Uploading mods
You can upload mods two ways:
- The Files page in the panel. Good for a handful of files. Stop the server, open the
modsfolder, upload your.jarfiles and start the server again. - SFTP. Better for a whole modpack or a big world. Use any SFTP client, such as FileZilla or WinSCP. The login details are in the panel, and you use your panel password.
Always download the version of each mod that matches your exact Minecraft version and loader. When you start the server, watch the console. If a mod is missing a dependency or doesn't match, the console usually says which one.
Our mods guide walks through it step by step.
Client mods vs. server mods
Not every mod belongs on the server. Mods that only change what you see on your own screen are client-only, and many of them will stop a server from starting. Common ones to leave out:
- Minimaps
- Shader mods and shader loaders
- Performance and graphics mods that only affect rendering
- Menu, HUD and zoom tweaks
If you're running a modpack, use the pack's official server pack where there is one, because the author has already removed the client-only mods.
Players also need the same mods and the same loader installed in their own game to join. The easiest way is for everyone to install the same modpack, at the same version, through a launcher like CurseForge, Modrinth or Prism.
Choosing a plan
Every plan runs on an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X with DDR5 RAM and NVMe storage, and includes DDoS filtering, the Pterodactyl panel and free file migration. Plans differ by RAM, CPU and storage, and by backup slots: 5 on the four smaller plans and 10 on the four larger ones.
| Plan | RAM | CPU | Storage | Backup slots | Price per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shard | 4 GB | 100% | 60 GB | 5 | $3.50 |
| Shard+ | 8 GB | 200% | 90 GB | 5 | $7.50 |
| Shard++ | 12 GB | 300% | 120 GB | 5 | $11.99 |
| Shard+++ | 16 GB | 400% | 150 GB | 5 | $14.99 |
| Shard Pro | 24 GB | 500% | 180 GB | 10 | $21.99 |
| Shard Pro+ | 32 GB | 600% | 210 GB | 10 | $29.99 |
| Shard Ultra | 48 GB | 800% | 240 GB | 10 | $44.99 |
| Shard Max | 64 GB | 1000% | 270 GB | 10 | $59.99 (limited availability) |
On CPU, 100% is one thread of the Ryzen 9 9950X, 200% is up to two threads at once, and so on. Modded servers lean on those extra threads for chunk generation, world saving and Java's memory clean-up, so heavier packs benefit from the larger plans. The hardware page explains this in more detail.
For most modded servers, the RAM calculator is the best starting point. It's easier to start on the plan it suggests and adjust than to guess low and fight crashes.
Moving an existing modded server from another host? Every plan includes free file migration. Open a Discord ticket or email [email protected] after you order.
Related guides
- How to set up a modpack server: from finding the server pack to the first start.
- How to install mods: adding individual mods to your server.
- How to fix Minecraft server lag: what to check when a modded server slows down.
Get started
Work out your RAM with the calculator, then pick a plan on the plans page. Your server is created automatically after payment, and you can upload your mods straight away.