Minecraft Server Monetization Rules: What You Can Sell (2026)

Under Mojang's Minecraft Usage Guidelines, a server can charge everyone the same fee for access to the whole server, sell cosmetics, sell ranks whose perks do not affect gameplay against other players, and accept donations. It cannot sell anything that gives a paying player an advantage over others, sell unbans or admin powers, run gambling, or pay out anything with real world value. Paid crates are only allowed if the odds of every item are published. Breaking these rules can get a server blocked from connecting.

If your server's bill is getting big and you want players to help cover it, here is what is safe to offer and what is not.

Where the rules come from

Minecraft's EULA and Usage Guidelines cover every server, Java and Bedrock, whether you host it at home or rent it. They apply as soon as you take money in connection with the server, including "donations" that come with perks. The guidelines are updated from time to time, so read the current version before setting up a store.

What you can charge for

Access to the whole server

You can charge a fee to play, as long as:

• Everyone pays the same price for the same access.
• The fee covers the whole server, not individual worlds or minigames.

A whitelisted SMP where each member chips in the same amount for the monthly bill fits this. So does a server that is free when there is room and offers a paid queue at peak times.

Cosmetics

Things that change how a player looks, not what they can do:

• Chat colors, name colors and prefixes.
• Particle trails and cosmetic hats.
• Pets that do not fight or carry items.
• Decorative blocks, banners and skins for items, where they do not change stats.

Ranks with cosmetic or non competitive perks

Ranks are fine when the perks are cosmetic. On non competitive servers, such as a cooperative survival world, guidelines allow perks that help a player without hurting others, for example more homes or a bigger plot in a creative world. Anything that tips the balance in PvP, economy or competition is out.

Donations

You can take donations. If a donation unlocks anything, the same rules apply to that perk as to a sale.

Paid crates and keys

Allowed only with full transparency: the odds of getting each item must be listed, every purchase must give something, and the rewards must follow the same no pay to win rules.

What you cannot sell

In game currency you sell must have no real world value and cannot be cashed out or moved between servers.

Common grey areas

"Supporter rank gets /fly in the lobby." Flight in a hub with no gameplay is usually seen as cosmetic. Flight in survival is an advantage.

"VIPs skip the queue." A paid queue during busy times, with free entry when there is space, fits the guidelines' access rules.

"Members get a bigger land claim." On a cooperative server where claims do not affect others, often acceptable. On a competitive server, an advantage.

"Donors vote on the next update." Fine, it does not affect gameplay.

When in doubt, ask: does paying make this player stronger, richer or safer than someone who did not pay? If yes, do not sell it.

Store setup checklist

1. Write a short page listing every perk, with no hidden extras.
2. Check every perk against the table above.
3. Remove any command permissions from paid ranks that affect gameplay, in your permissions plugin such as LuckPerms.
4. Publish crate odds if you have any paid crates.
5. Do not call the server "official" or use Mojang or Minecraft branding in a way that suggests it is.
6. Keep payment records for your own taxes.

Covering costs without a store

Many small servers do not need a store at all. A group of friends can split the bill, and a community can run a simple donation page with cosmetic thank yous. Our guide on funding a community game server with donations walks through setting goals and keeping it transparent.

What the server actually costs

Before building a store, check the number you are trying to cover. A Paper server for a few friends runs well on 2 GB, and a busy plugin server for dozens of players typically wants more. Our guide on how much a Minecraft server costs and the Minecraft RAM guide help you size it.

Hosting a compliant server

GamezServers Minecraft servers start at 4.99 USD a month for 2 GB, with plans priced by RAM at about 2.50 USD per GB. You get the full file manager and SFTP for uploading LuckPerms and your store plugin, every setting from the server template in the control panel, one click backups and DDoS protection. Groups who want to share the cost can use Split with friends, where up to 10 people each pay their own share. For plugin heavy setups, see our Minecraft plugin server hosting page.

FAQ

Can I charge players to join my Minecraft server?

Yes, if everyone pays the same for access to the whole server. You cannot charge separately for parts of it.

Can I sell ranks on a Minecraft server?

Yes, if the perks are cosmetic or do not give an advantage over other players. Ranks with gear, kits or combat commands are not allowed.

Are crates allowed on Minecraft servers?

Paid crates are allowed only if you publish the odds of each item, every crate gives something, and the rewards are not pay to win.

What happens if a server breaks the rules?

Mojang can take action against non compliant servers, including blocking them. Fix the store before it becomes a problem.