PowerupStack
Free RAM
- PowerupStack
- 3 GB
- Aternos
- Varies by software and version; Aternos gives 2.4 GB as one Vanilla 1.20.1 example
Minecraft hosting comparisons
Aternos vs PowerupStack
Both hosts offer permanent free Minecraft servers, but they make different tradeoffs around startup, advertising, software choice, and growing beyond the free tier.
PowerupStack: Freemium
Aternos: Free
Reviewed August 28, 2026
Choose PowerupStack if
Up to 2 network ports on free Minecraft and up to 20 on paid plans
Free and paid servers can customize permitted files inside installed modpacks
• A newer Workshop with fewer supported plugins and mods than Aternos
• Custom JAR uploads are restricted on the free plan
Choose Aternos if
A simple, familiar UI and broader mature catalog of plugins, mods, and modpacks
Aternos tradeoffsServers are hosted in Europe only
No additional ports, so Geyser and voice chat cannot run together
Feature comparison
Aternos vs PowerupStack at a glance
This table compares the most relevant current plans and policies. Specifications can change, so verify the linked official sources before moving an important world.
| Feature | PowerupStack | Aternos |
|---|---|---|
| Free RAM | 3 GB | Varies by software and version; Aternos gives 2.4 GB as one Vanilla 1.20.1 example |
| Free storage | 4 GB | 4 GB maximum; the server cannot start after reaching the limit |
| Starting an offline server | A player connects and the server starts automatically | The owner or a permitted user starts it in the panel; a queue can appear at busy times |
| Minecraft editions | Java and native Bedrock servers | Java and native Bedrock servers |
| Plugins and mods | Large curated Workshop with plugins, mods, and modpacks on free and paid servers | Broader mature curated catalog; arbitrary plugin and mod uploads are restricted |
| Customizing an installed modpack | Each Workshop pack is installed into that server, so free and paid users can customize its permitted files and configuration | Predefined packs cannot have individual mods or configuration added or changed because Aternos stores one shared copy for technical reasons Major disadvantage |
| File management | Permissive access to regular server files; custom JAR uploads are restricted on the free plan, with plugins and mods installed through the Workshop | Restricted file manager with no FTP or full access; custom plugin and mod JAR uploads are blocked Disadvantage |
| Panel advertising | No third-party advertising | Advertising funds the free service |
| Server regions | Free availability is shown during setup; Premium in Europe, North America, Australia, and Singapore | Europe only Disadvantage |
| Network ports | Up to 2 ports on free Minecraft servers and up to 20 on paid plans | No additional ports; Geyser and a voice chat mod cannot run together because each requires a UDP port Major disadvantage |
| Growing beyond free | Upgrade the same server to a paid PowerupStack tier | Aternos directs users to its separate exaroton platform |
Free storage
- PowerupStack
- 4 GB
- Aternos
- 4 GB maximum; the server cannot start after reaching the limit
Starting an offline server
- PowerupStack
- A player connects and the server starts automatically
- Aternos
- The owner or a permitted user starts it in the panel; a queue can appear at busy times
Minecraft editions
- PowerupStack
- Java and native Bedrock servers
- Aternos
- Java and native Bedrock servers
Plugins and mods
- PowerupStack
- Large curated Workshop with plugins, mods, and modpacks on free and paid servers
- Aternos
- Broader mature curated catalog; arbitrary plugin and mod uploads are restricted
Customizing an installed modpack
- PowerupStack
- Each Workshop pack is installed into that server, so free and paid users can customize its permitted files and configuration
- Aternos
- Predefined packs cannot have individual mods or configuration added or changed because Aternos stores one shared copy for technical reasons
Major disadvantage
File management
- PowerupStack
- Permissive access to regular server files; custom JAR uploads are restricted on the free plan, with plugins and mods installed through the Workshop
- Aternos
- Restricted file manager with no FTP or full access; custom plugin and mod JAR uploads are blocked
Disadvantage
Panel advertising
- PowerupStack
- No third-party advertising
- Aternos
- Advertising funds the free service
Server regions
- PowerupStack
- Free availability is shown during setup; Premium in Europe, North America, Australia, and Singapore
- Aternos
- Europe only
Disadvantage
Network ports
- PowerupStack
- Up to 2 ports on free Minecraft servers and up to 20 on paid plans
- Aternos
- No additional ports; Geyser and a voice chat mod cannot run together because each requires a UDP port
Major disadvantage
Growing beyond free
- PowerupStack
- Upgrade the same server to a paid PowerupStack tier
- Aternos
- Aternos directs users to its separate exaroton platform
When your server grows
PowerupStack grows in place; Aternos points to exaroton
PowerupStack combines its free and paid Minecraft tiers in one hosting platform. You can retain the world and move to more RAM, newer hardware, backups, SFTP, broader file access, and true 24/7 uptime. Aternos remains a free-only service and recommends exaroton, a separate paid platform from the same team, when users need queues removed, file uploads, or more control. Compare the migration work and billing model, not just the headline RAM number.
Which one should you choose?
Choose PowerupStack when you want friends to wake the server simply by joining, prefer a panel without third-party advertising, or expect to upgrade the same server to paid, on-demand hosting later. Choose Aternos when its long-established platform and broad curated library of server software, plugins, mods, and modpacks matter more than connect-to-start. Neither free plan stays online while empty, and real performance still depends on the world, software, and current shared capacity.
Common questions
Aternos vs PowerupStack FAQ
Both offer permanent free Minecraft hosting rather than a short trial. Both stop empty free servers, and both apply fair-use or inactivity policies so unused data and compute do not remain allocated forever.
PowerupStack supports connect-to-start, so joining can wake an offline server. On Aternos, the owner can grant a trusted Aternos user Start permission, but that person starts it through the panel and may encounter a queue.
Aternos currently has the broader curated catalog because it has had years longer to grow. PowerupStack's large Workshop supports plugins, mods, and modpacks on the free tier and is expanding. Workshop packs are installed per server, so permitted files can be customized; paid plans add SFTP and allow custom JAR uploads.
No. Aternos provides no additional ports, and its documentation says Geyser and voice chat cannot run together because both require their own UDP port. PowerupStack provides up to two ports on free Minecraft servers and up to 20 on paid plans.
Last reviewed August 28, 2026.
- Aternos: Server RAM
- Aternos: Maximum server size
- Aternos: Queue
- Aternos: Installing predefined modpacks
- Aternos: Uploading files and FTP access
- Aternos: Technical explanation for shared modpack files
- Aternos: Share access
- Aternos: Advertising
- Aternos: Voice chat and UDP port limitations
Specifications change; verify before moving. PowerupStack is not affiliated with the compared provider.
Try PowerupStack without payment details
Create a permanent free Java or Bedrock server, then upgrade later for more resources or 24/7 uptime. PowerupStack also hosts multiple games.