Quick guide
- Click Multiplayer
- Click Add Server
- Paste your address:
yourname.play.playfree.uk - Click Done, then Join Server
Create a free account
Go to playfree.uk/registerand sign up with a username, email, and password. Your username will become your server's permanent address — e.g. alex.play.playfree.uk.
No credit card or payment info is ever required on the free plan.
Go to your dashboard
After registering, you land on your dashboard. Your server is provisioned automatically — you'll see a small "provisioning…" notice for about 30 seconds while we set it up.
Press Start
Click the ▶ startbutton. The server boots in 30–60 seconds. You'll see the status change from starting to online.
Your server address is shown on the card:yourname.play.playfree.uk
Connect in Minecraft
Open Minecraft Java Edition, then:
No port number is needed — we set up the DNS SRV record automatically.
Invite friends
Share your server address with friends. They add it to their own Minecraft server list using the same steps above. Up to 20 players can join at once on the free plan.
Renew to keep playing
Each free session lasts 45 minutes. When it nears the end, click ↺ renew on your dashboard to extend instantly. Your world is always saved — nothing is ever reset.
Tips for a better experience
Bookmark your dashboard
Keep your dashboard tab open so you can renew the session without switching windows.
Set the right version
In the server settings panel you can pick the Minecraft version. Make sure all players use the same version.
Use the address, not an IP
Always share yourname.play.playfree.uk. The underlying IP can change between sessions — the subdomain never does.
World is always saved
When the session expires, the server stops but your world files stay on disk. Start again any time and pick up exactly where you left off.
Upgrade for longer sessions
Premium (75 min) and Pro (90 min) plans remove the renewal pressure. Useful for longer play sessions.
Op yourself
Use the console in the server panel to run /op yourname and give yourself admin permissions in-game.
What is Minecraft multiplayer?
Minecraft is a sandbox game where you build, explore, and survive in a procedurally generated world made of blocks. In multiplayer mode, multiple players share the same world in real time — you can build together, fight monsters, trade resources, or play mini-games.
To play multiplayer, one machine needs to run the server software while everyone else connects to it. Running a server at home requires port-forwarding your router, which is complicated and exposes your home IP. Using a hosted server (like playfree.uk) removes all of that complexity.
Common questions
Can I change my server name?
Yes — you can rename the server in your dashboard settings. Your subdomain is based on your username and stays fixed.
Can I change the Minecraft version?
Yes. Open the server settings panel and select any supported Java Edition version. The server will restart on the new version.
What happens if the session expires while I am playing?
The server stops and you get disconnected. Your world and inventory are saved exactly where they were. Renew the session to rejoin.
Can I run plugins or mods?
The free tier runs Vanilla Minecraft. You can upload custom jar files via the file manager if you know what you are doing, but this is unsupported.
How is playfree.uk free?
We use a session model so that idle servers do not consume resources. We also show non-intrusive ads and offer optional paid upgrades.
Start your server now
Free, no credit card, online in under 60 seconds.
Create free account