Craftlio
Free to use · for Windows

Your Minecraft servers, run from any browser.

Craftlio turns the Windows machine you already have into a friendly server host. Create a server in a few clicks, keep it backed up, see how it's doing, and let friends in, from your desk or your phone.

Try the live demo first
No hosting company to payYour worlds stay on your machineNo account needed
The Craftlio dashboard: server, player, TPS and uptime tiles, machine CPU, RAM and disk, a players chart, server status and quick actions
The dashboard on a phone
Works with

Runs the software you already play

Every major server type, Velocity networks, and modpacks straight from the big sites, or upload a pack of your own. Craftlio fetches the right Java for each one.

Modrinth packsCurseForge packsFTB packs
Features

Everything a server needs, in one place

What Craftlio does for you, next to paying a hosting company or running the server on its own.

Dashboard and monitoringSee how every server is doing, and hear about problems before your friends do.7 features
Dashboard and monitoring: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Live graphsCPU, memory, TPS, players and network, per server and for the whole machine.YesPartly, or only someNo
AlertsCrashes, failed backups, low disk space and players joining, to Discord and your phone.YesPartly, or only someNo
Crash doctorExplains a crash in plain words and offers the fix: the missing mod, more memory, the right Java.YesPartly, or only someNo
Lag doctorFinds what’s slowing a server down, with one-click fixes, plus spark profiling for the deep dive.YesNoNo
Two-way Discord botSlash commands to start, stop and check servers, and chat between Discord and the game.YesPartly, or only someNo
Recent activityEverything that happened on every server, in one list.YesPartly, or only someNo
Public status pageA page friends can open to see which servers are up and how to join.YesPartly, or only someNo
ServersCreate, run and look after your servers, from a browser or your phone.10 features
Servers: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Any server in a few clicksPick the software and version, give it memory, done. The right Java is fetched for you.YesYesNo
Several servers at onceTwo at once free, six with Craftlio Plus, with a memory check before each start.YesPartly, or only somePartly, or only some
Live consoleType commands with history and suggestions, from any browser or your phone.YesYesNo
Sleep when emptyA quiet server frees its memory and wakes the moment a friend joins.YesPartly, or only someNo
Safe updatesTry a new version on a copy, test-start it, then swap it in. Your worlds stay.YesNoNo
Copy a serverTest a plugin or a setting on a copy before touching the real one.YesPartly, or only someNo
Bring in a server you haveCraftlio reads its folder (type, version, port, memory) and runs it where it is.YesYesNo
SchedulesRestarts, commands and backups on a schedule, with warnings for players.YesYesNo
Keeps the machine awakeWindows won’t go to sleep while a server runs, or while players are on.YesYesNo
Saves your world at shutdownTurning Windows off stops the servers cleanly first.YesYesNo
Server types, modpacks and integrationsEvery major server type, modpacks from the big sites, and the extras servers need.7 features
Server types, modpacks and integrations: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Every major server typeVanilla, Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Quilt, Forge, NeoForge and Mohist.YesYesPartly, or only some
Velocity networksA proxy in front of several servers (lobby, survival, creative), set up for you.YesPartly, or only someNo
ModpacksFrom Modrinth, CurseForge and FTB, or a pack you made.YesYesNo
Bedrock crossplayGeyser lets Bedrock players (phones, consoles) join a Java server.YesPartly, or only someNo
Voice chatSimple Voice Chat set up, with its port.YesPartly, or only someNo
Database for pluginsA private MariaDB for LuckPerms, CoreProtect and others, one database per server.YesPartly, or only someNo
Plex awarenessGives Plex room on the machine when it’s busy transcoding.YesNoNo
Mods and pluginsFind, install and keep up to date the mods and plugins your servers use.6 features
Mods and plugins: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Four sites in one placeBrowse Modrinth, CurseForge, Hangar and SpigotMC without leaving Craftlio.YesPartly, or only someNo
Dependencies includedInstalls what a mod or plugin needs along with it.YesPartly, or only someNo
Updates and undoUpdate everything in one go, and undo any change.YesPartly, or only someNo
Check before a version changeSee which mods and plugins have a build for the new version first.YesNoNo
Turn on and offSwitch a mod or plugin off without deleting it.YesPartly, or only somePartly, or only some
Client pack for friendsOne download with the mods friends need to join a modded server.YesNoNo
Worlds and mapsLook after your worlds, and show them off.7 features
Worlds and maps: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Switch, upload and download worldsKeep several worlds and pick which one runs.YesYesPartly, or only some
Reset a dimensionRegenerate the Nether or the End without touching the overworld.YesPartly, or only somePartly, or only some
DatapacksAdd and remove datapacks per world.YesPartly, or only somePartly, or only some
Pre-generate the mapChunky fills in the world ahead of time, so exploring doesn’t lag.YesPartly, or only somePartly, or only some
Trim the worldRemove chunks nobody really visited, to save space.YesNoNo
Live web mapBlueMap, with a public link for friends.YesPartly, or only someNo
Settings without file editingEvery server and game setting, explained, with a visual editor for config files.YesYesNo
BackupsBackups you can trust, and restores that don’t roll back everyone.6 features
Backups: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Backups that only store changesIncremental: only changed files take space.YesPartly, or only someNo
On a scheduleSeveral schedules per server, for worlds and for settings.YesYesNo
A second copy somewhere safeAnother drive, a network share, or cloud storage (Cloudflare R2, Backblaze B2, S3).YesPartly, or only someNo
Restore one playerBring back someone’s inventory, ender chest or position, without rolling back the world.YesNoNo
Restore one areaBring back a griefed area chunk by chunk.YesNoNo
A backup before every risky changeVersion changes, swaps and resets back up first.YesPartly, or only someNo
Players and friendsLet the right people in, and see what they get up to.6 features
Players and friends: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Whitelist, ops and bansWith 3D skins, play time and history for every player.YesYesPartly, or only some
Invite linksFriends type their name and they’re in, or you approve them first.YesNoNo
Tried to joinSee who was turned away, and let them in with one tap.YesNoNo
LeaderboardsRankings from the world’s own stats.YesPartly, or only someNo
Rules on joinPlayers see your rules when they join.YesPartly, or only somePartly, or only some
Resource pack hostingCraftlio hosts the server’s resource pack for you.YesPartly, or only someNo
Family controlsHealthy limits for younger players, set per server.4 features
Family controls: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Play hoursWhen the server can be played, for school days and weekends.YesNoNo
Daily time limitPer player, with friendly warnings before time is up.YesNoNo
Come back laterA kind message saying when they can play again.YesNoNo
Chat word filterStrikes for bad words, and a list of flagged messages for parents.YesPartly, or only somePartly, or only some
Letting friends joinGet friends onto your server from outside your home.4 features
Letting friends join: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Opens the router port for youUPnP, while a server runs (Java, Bedrock and voice chat ports).YesYesNo
Can friends reach this home?Tells you whether port forwarding can work at all (shared addresses, a second router).YesYesNo
Game tunnel guideStep by step to a free playit.gg tunnel when it can’t.YesYesNo
Join by nameKeeps play.yourdomain.com pointed at your home (with Cloudflare).YesYesNo
Accounts and securityLet friends help, without handing over everything.5 features
Accounts and security: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Accounts with rolesOwner, admin, moderator and viewer, each with sensible defaults.YesYesNo
Per-server permissionsChoose what each person can see and change, server by server.YesPartly, or only someNo
Two-factor sign-in and passkeysCodes from an authenticator app, or your phone’s fingerprint or face.YesYesNo
Activity logWho did what, on which server, and when.YesPartly, or only someNo
API tokensFor your own scripts, with the same permissions as the account.YesPartly, or only someNo
Phones and away from homeEverything works on your phone, at home or away.5 features
Phones and away from home: Craftlio compared with paid hosting and running the server on its own
FeatureCraftliofree, on your machinePaid hostinga monthly feeServer alonejust a start.bat
Made for phonesInstall it like an app, with a bottom bar and swipe between sections.YesPartly, or only someNo
Push alertsAlerts on your phone, even with Craftlio closed.YesPartly, or only someNo
Use it away from homeOver a free Cloudflare Tunnel, with https.YesYesNo
Updates itselfOne click in Craftlio; your servers and data stay as they are.YesYesNo
Free, and your files stay homeNo monthly bill. Worlds and backups never leave your machine.YesNoYes

YesPartly, or only some hostsNo

67 features in 11 groups. Hosting companies differ, so their column shows what’s typical.

Try it

Take it for a spin

Play with the live demo right here, or flip through screenshots. The demo runs the real interface with pretend servers, so go ahead and press things.

Craftlio live demo
The real Craftlio running a pretend server in your browser. Start servers, type commands, make backups: nothing you do leaves this page.
The little things

Made by someone who runs a server

Crash doctor

Reads the crash and tells you what happened in plain words, then offers the fix: install the missing mod, turn one off, more memory, the right Java.

Sleep when empty

A quiet server stops by itself and frees its memory. It still shows up in the server list, and wakes the moment a friend tries to join.

Saves your world at shutdown

Turning Windows off? Craftlio stops your servers cleanly first, so nobody loses the last half hour of building.

Pricing

Free, with a little extra if you need it

Every feature is free. Craftlio Plus runs more servers at the same time, and keeps Craftlio going.

Free

$0forever

  • Every feature on this page
  • Up to 2 servers running at once
  • As many servers set up as you like
  • No account needed
Download
Plus

Craftlio Plus

$10a year

  • Everything in Free
  • Up to 6 servers running at once
  • On up to 2 machines
  • Supports Craftlio's development
Get Plus

Link Craftlio to your account in System › Craftlio Plus. It checks in once a day and keeps working offline for 30 days, and losing Plus never stops a running server. Cancel any time. Terms and refunds

Install

Up and running in about five minutes

The setup asks before each step and explains what it does.

1

Download

Get the latest release and unzip it somewhere permanent, for example C:\Craftlio.

Download
2

Run setup

Double-click setup.cmd. It installs Node.js if needed and sets up folders, starting with Windows and the firewall.

3

Open it

Your browser opens localhost:1999. Create the owner account and your first server.

Or all in one go: paste this into PowerShell
irm https://craftlio.xyz/install.ps1 | iex
Windows 10 or 11Node.js 22+ (setup installs it)Enough memory for your servers

Step-by-step install guide

FAQ

Questions

Is it really free?

Yes. Every feature is free, with up to 2 servers running at the same time, and there's no account to make: you run it on your own machine. To run more at once (up to 6), Craftlio Plus is $10 a year and helps keep Craftlio going.

Does it work on Mac or Linux?

Not yet. Craftlio is built for Windows 10 and 11: it uses Windows features for starting with your machine, the firewall, and saving worlds when Windows shuts down.

How do my friends join?

Forward the game port (TCP 25565) on your router to your machine. If your domain is on Cloudflare, Craftlio can keep a name like play.example.com pointed at your home, even when your internet provider changes your address.

Can I manage it when I'm away from home?

Yes. The safest way is a free Cloudflare Tunnel, which gives Craftlio an https address without opening any ports. Phone notifications and passkeys work over it too.

Where does my data go?

Nowhere. Worlds, backups, accounts and settings stay on your machine. Craftlio goes online to download server software, Java, mods and plugins when you ask, and for things you switch on, like alerts, cloud backups or keeping your domain pointed at home. With Craftlio Plus, it also checks in with craftlio.xyz once a day, sending only a random ID for the install and its version (privacy).

Is Craftlio made by Mojang?

No. Craftlio is an independent project and isn't affiliated with Mojang or Microsoft. Minecraft is a trademark of Mojang AB.

Ready to host?

Download Craftlio, run the setup, and have your first server going in minutes.