Play Hosting Alternative
A better Minecraft server than Play Hosting — no queue, no sleep.
Play Hosting gives you 3 GB on a free tier that sleeps. ShadowNode starts at $2/month for 8 GB of reserved RAM that runs around the clock — and scales to 24 GB when your modpack outgrows it.
ShadowNode vs Play Hosting
| Feature | Play Hosting | ShadowNode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier + paid plans | From $2/mo |
| RAM | 3 GB free | 8–24 GB reserved |
| Storage | 10 GB | 10–80 GB NVMe |
| Stays online when empty | No | Yes, 24/7 |
| Mods & plugins | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto payments / privacy | No | Yes, no KYC |
FAQ
Is ShadowNode better than Play Hosting?
For anything past a small vanilla world, yes: 8 GB of reserved RAM instead of 3 GB shared, no sleep timer, and anonymous crypto billing. For a tiny server you only play occasionally, their free tier is hard to beat on price.
What does a ShadowNode server cost?
Plans start at $2/month for an 8 GB server that runs 24/7. Starter is $5/month for 16 GB with daily backups, Pro is $10/month for 24 GB. There is no free tier.
How fast can I get my server?
In minutes: sign up, pick a plan, pay in crypto or with a gift card. You get your own server address and a full Pterodactyl control panel right away.
Do I need a credit card or real ID?
No. No KYC, no credit card — billing is anonymous, in crypto or via gift card.
Ready to switch from Play Hosting?
8 GB of reserved RAM, running 24/7, ready in minutes. From $2/month, no credit card.
Create my server →