🎉 Save 25% on your first month with code: DOOM25

What is a Subdomain and Dedicated IP for Minecraft Servers

Learn the differences between subdomains and dedicated IP addresses for Minecraft servers. Understand which option is best for your server performance, security, and accessibility.

Andreas
16 min read
Mar 19, 2024
Last updated: Mar 19, 2024

Subdomain vs Dedicated IP for Minecraft Servers

When setting up your Minecraft server on DoomHosting, you'll need to decide whether to use a dedicated IP or a subdomain. While both options work well in different situations, there are key differences to consider.

Dedicated IP

A dedicated IP address is a unique set of numbers that identifies your Minecraft server on the internet. With a dedicated IP, you have exclusive use of that address, meaning no other website or server will share it. This provides several advantages:

Improved server performance: Having a dedicated IP can improve the speed and reliability of your Minecraft server, as there's no risk of other servers on the same IP using resources or causing congestion.

Better security: A dedicated IP provides additional security for your Minecraft server, as it's more difficult for attackers to target a single IP compared to a shared one.

Easier access: If you want players to connect using an IP address rather than a domain name, a dedicated IP makes this simpler.

Subdomain

A subdomain is a third-level domain that's part of a larger domain name. For example, if your domain is "doomhosting.com", a subdomain might be "minecraft.doomhosting.com". Subdomains offer several benefits:

Organizing content: If you have multiple Minecraft servers or different game modes, subdomains help keep things organized and make it easier for players to navigate.

Multi-server hosting: If you want to host multiple Minecraft servers on a single account, subdomains provide a cost-effective way to do this.

Improved branding: Using a subdomain that includes your server or community name can help strengthen your brand identity.

Key Differences Between Dedicated IP and Subdomain

The main difference between a dedicated IP and a subdomain is that a dedicated IP provides exclusive access to an IP address, while a subdomain is part of a larger domain name. Other important differences include:

Cost: While a dedicated IP typically costs more than a subdomain, it can provide better performance and security.

Accessibility: A dedicated IP can be accessed directly using just the IP address, while a subdomain requires players to enter the full domain name.

Scalability: A subdomain can be more scalable if you plan on hosting multiple servers in the future, as you can create new subdomains as needed.

Which Should You Choose?

The decision between a dedicated IP and subdomain depends on your specific needs and goals. If you want the best possible performance and security for your Minecraft server, a dedicated IP may be the way to go. If you need to organize multiple servers or projects under a single domain name, or plan on hosting multiple servers in the future, a subdomain may be the better choice.

For most new Minecraft servers, subdomains offer an excellent balance of functionality and cost-effectiveness, while dedicated IPs provide premium performance for established servers with specific requirements.

Need help deciding between a subdomain or dedicated IP for your Minecraft server? Contact our support team for personalized guidance.