iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Godlike.Host offers modded Minecraft server hosting with one-click modpacks, a built-in mod installer and up to three free backups a day.
For the BMC4 release, use Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1, Forge, and 64-bit Java 17. Download BMC4’s full Server Pack—not a launcher manifest—extract it to a dedicated folder, run the supplied startup script, accept the EULA, set memory to about 6 GB, and make every player install the identical BMC4 release. This guide explains that process and shows how it differs from newer Better MC generations.
“Better Minecraft Plus” is an informal name for the LunaPixelStudios Better MC family. BMC4, BMC5, and BMC6 are different releases with different Minecraft versions, mod loaders, and Java expectations. Decide the exact generation and revision before anyone downloads files or rents a server.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Deluxe Collection | Windows Digital Code | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Ultimate Collection | Windows Digital Code | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Minecraft | Standard Edition | XBOX Digital Code | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Minecraft | $6.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Minecraft - Bedrock Edition PS4 | $42.98 | Buy on Amazon |
What Better Minecraft Plus is
Better MC is a vanilla-plus modpack family for Minecraft Java Edition. The BMC4 listing covers Minecraft 1.20.1 with Forge and supports both client and dedicated-server environments. Its feature set includes more than 100 quests, overhauled world generation, shader support, new bosses and mobs, thousands of dungeons and structures, and more than 270 mods.
The pack listing carries this notice: “NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT PRODUCT. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG OR MICROSOFT.” You need a legitimate Minecraft Java Edition account and installation; the modpack does not replace the game.
#1 Best Overall
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Because the family name is used for several generations, instructions copied from one release can break another. A Forge command, Java runtime, or configuration file that works for BMC4 may not apply to a NeoForge-based release. The steps below use BMC4 as the main example and identify newer-generation differences where they matter.
Choose the exact generation before setting up
Agree on one release with everyone who will play. Record the pack name, Minecraft version, loader, and revision in a shared note. The server and every client must use that same combination.
Recommended Free Tools
| Generation | Minecraft version | Loader | Java guidance | Server-pack information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMC4 | 1.20.1 | Forge | Java 17 | Download the BMC4 Server Pack from the release’s Files page and Additional Files area. |
| BMC5 | 1.21.1 | NeoForge | Java 21 in the dated comparison | Use the BMC5 server pack for the selected revision; do not substitute BMC4 files. |
| BMC6 snapshot | 26.1.2 | NeoForge | Verify the runtime in the exact release documentation | Server-pack version 7 was reported as released October 14, 2026; this is a time-sensitive snapshot. |
Version numbers, files, and loader requirements can change. Treat the BMC6 row as a dated snapshot rather than a permanent specification. Before downloading, open the chosen release’s current documentation and confirm its Minecraft version, loader, Java runtime, and server-pack revision.
Server requirements and sensible capacity planning
Memory
Plan for at least 6 GB of RAM assigned to the Better MC server. Around 8–10 GB is useful when approximately five or more players are exploring simultaneously, generating terrain, or loading many structures. Never allocate more than half of the host computer’s total RAM to Minecraft; the operating system, Java process overhead, and other services need the remainder.
Rank #2
- ULTIMATE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, five Bedrock add-ons, five exclusive Character Creator items, and 1000 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
A practical BMC4 starting point on a machine with sufficient memory is -Xms6G -Xmx6G. Keep the initial and maximum values equal to avoid repeated heap resizing. If the machine has only 8 GB total, assigning 6 GB leaves too little headroom for the operating system; use a larger machine instead of forcing that configuration.
Storage
Use SSD storage. Better MC worlds, libraries, logs, and backups grow over time, and an SSD reduces delays when chunks and structures are read or generated. The BMC6 guide specifies at least 15 GB of SSD capacity; reserve additional free space for backups and future world growth rather than treating 15 GB as a comfortable long-term ceiling.
Operating system and Java
Use a 64-bit operating system and a 64-bit Java runtime. BMC4’s documented requirement is Java 17. Newer generations can require a different major version, so check the selected pack’s documentation instead of assuming Java 17 works everywhere. Confirm the active runtime from a terminal with:
java -version
If the command reports an older or newer major version than the pack requires, install the correct 64-bit runtime and make sure the startup script uses it. Multiple Java installations are a common reason a server appears to launch with the wrong version.
Rank #3
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
- SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
- COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.
Network
A local server works for players on the same network without Internet port forwarding. Remote players normally need TCP port 25565 forwarded from the router to the server computer, plus a firewall rule allowing the Java server process. Do not expose the port until remote access is actually needed.
Download the correct server pack
Open the exact BMC4 release on CurseForge, go to its Files page, and use the Server Pack in the Additional Files section. The small launcher manifest is not a complete manual server installation: it tells a launcher what to download but does not provide the extracted server files and scripts you need.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Write down the exact BMC4 file name and revision that the group will use.
- Download that release’s complete Server Pack archive.
- Do not mix a server archive from one revision with clients running another revision.
- Keep the original archive in a safe location so you can reconstruct the installation after a failed update.
Install BMC4 on Windows
- Create a dedicated folder. Make a path such as
C:MinecraftBMC4-Server. Avoid a temporary Downloads folder or a location synchronized by consumer backup software while the server is running. - Extract the full archive. Use an archive utility and preserve the folder structure. The directory should contain the supplied scripts, configuration folders, libraries, and server files rather than only the compressed archive.
- Verify Java. Open Command Prompt in the server folder and run
java -version. For BMC4, the output should identify 64-bit Java 17. - Set memory. Open the pack’s startup script or the documented JVM-argument file and set a starting range around
-Xms6G -Xmx6G, provided the computer has enough total RAM. Do not exceed half of physical memory. - Run the supplied script. Double-click
startserver.bat, or run it from Command Prompt so errors remain visible. First launch commonly stops after creatingeula.txt. - Accept the EULA. Open
eula.txt, change the acceptance line toeula=true, save it, and close the file. - Configure the server. Edit
server.propertiesfor the player limit, difficulty, view distance, and port. Keep the default port 25565 unless another service already uses it. - Start again. Run
startserver.bata second time. Leave the window open and wait for the console’s completed-start message before attempting to connect.
If Windows reports that Java cannot be found, the script is using a missing PATH entry or a different installation. Install the required 64-bit runtime, reopen Command Prompt, and verify java -version again before changing mod files.
Install BMC4 on Linux or macOS
- Create and enter a dedicated directory, for example
mkdir -p ~/minecraft/bmc4-server && cd ~/minecraft/bmc4-server. - Extract the complete Server Pack into that directory and confirm that the supplied scripts and libraries are present.
- Check the runtime with
java -version; BMC4 requires 64-bit Java 17. - Make the startup script executable with
chmod +x startserver.sh. - Run
./startserver.sh. The first run may stop after creatingeula.txt. - Edit the file with a text editor, set
eula=true, save it, and reviewserver.properties. - Start the server again with
./startserver.shand wait for the console to report that startup has completed.
For a machine that will run unattended, use the operating system’s service manager or a terminal multiplexer so the Java process is restarted and monitored after a logout. Keep the server directory on an SSD and give the process a regular backup schedule.
Rank #4
- Skins! We have biome settlers, city folk, town folk, and more!
- The Nether and all its inhabitants. Fight Ghasts and make friends with Pigmen
- Cross platform play for up to five players between Pocket Edition and Windows 10
- Revamped touch controls, controller support, and a controller mapping screen
- Enhanced Weather effects! Accumulating snow and more
Configure memory and server.properties
JVM memory flags
Set memory in the script or JVM-argument file supplied by the pack, not in a random launcher profile. A typical BMC4 baseline is:
-Xms6G -Xmx6G
Raise the allocation only when the host has ample unused RAM and logs show that the server is genuinely constrained. More allocated RAM does not repair an incorrect Java version, a missing mod, a slow disk, or an overloaded CPU.
Useful server.properties settings
| Setting | What to decide | Practical starting approach |
|---|---|---|
max-players |
How many simultaneous players the machine should accept | Set it to the number your hardware and connection can support; increase only after observing performance. |
difficulty |
World difficulty | Choose the group’s intended difficulty before players begin; changing it later affects the existing world. |
view-distance |
How far the server sends loaded chunks | Lower it when exploration causes lag; raise it only with sufficient CPU, memory, and bandwidth. |
server-port |
Listening TCP port | Use 25565 unless another service requires a different port, then forward the chosen port consistently. |
motd |
The name shown in multiplayer lists | Use a clear label containing the selected BMC release so players do not join the wrong server. |
Stop the server before editing configuration or replacing files. Changes made while Java is writing the same file can be lost or leave a partial configuration.
Connect clients without mod-mismatch errors
Every player must install the identical Better MC release, Minecraft version, and loader as the server. For BMC4 that means Minecraft 1.20.1, Forge, and the same BMC4 revision used by the Server Pack.
Best Value
- Play and share with friends on console, mobile and Windows 10
- discover community creations in the new in-game store
- access new mini games and game modes through servers
- Install the matching BMC4 client profile in the launcher.
- Launch it once so the client creates its configuration folders.
- Confirm the profile displays the expected Minecraft and Forge versions.
- In Multiplayer, choose Add Server and enter the server’s local address or public address.
- Connect only after the server console shows a completed-start message.
Do not add, remove, or update individual mods on one side. A mod list that looks almost identical can still fail because of a different file version, loader channel, dependency, or network protocol. Keep client and server copies synchronized from the same release archive.
Self-hosting versus a managed host
| Consideration | Self-hosted computer | Managed Minecraft host |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Full control over files, Java, backups, and configuration | Control depends on the provider’s panel and allowed settings |
| Initial work | Install Java, extract the pack, configure the firewall, and forward the port when needed | Often includes a one-click Better MC installation for supported releases |
| Maintenance | You handle updates, backups, crashes, and hardware | The provider supplies infrastructure and usually handles panel-level maintenance |
| Performance limits | Bound by your computer, disk, Internet upload speed, and power availability | Bound by the selected plan’s CPU, RAM, storage, and network allocation |
| Cost certainty | Uses existing hardware but consumes electricity and storage | Recurring fee; current prices and availability vary by region and date |
LunaPixelStudios’ multiplayer guide identifies BisectHosting as its official partner with one-click Better MC setup and lists Apex Hosting, Shockbyte, and Nodecraft as alternatives supporting the relevant loaders and at least 6 GB of RAM. Verify the current plan, supported generation, data-center location, renewal price, and backup policy before committing; these offers can change.
Choose self-hosting when you are comfortable administering Java, firewalls, backups, and updates. Choose a managed host when avoiding router configuration and hardware maintenance is worth the recurring cost.
Troubleshoot in the order that saves the most time
The server crashes or closes during startup
- Check the Java major version first. BMC4 needs 64-bit Java 17.
- Confirm the machine has enough free RAM for the selected
-Xmxvalue and that you did not allocate more than half of total system memory. - Verify that the complete Server Pack was extracted and that its libraries and startup files are present.
- Confirm the loader matches the generation: Forge for BMC4, NeoForge for BMC5 and the documented newer releases.
- Read the first meaningful error and its referenced mod or library. Do not delete random files before identifying the failing dependency.
“Mod missing,” channel mismatch, or incompatible-version errors
Compare the client and server’s exact pack revision, Minecraft version, and loader. Reinstall both sides from the same release if necessary. Undo unsynchronized manual mod edits, then restart the server and client. A mismatch is more often a version or dependency difference than a need for additional RAM.
Players cannot connect
- On the host, confirm the server is fully started and listening on the expected port.
- For local players, use the server computer’s local network address.
- For remote players, verify TCP port 25565 forwarding to the correct internal computer.
- Allow Java or the server process through the operating-system firewall.
- Check that players are using the correct public address and the identical BMC release.
Do not test a public address from inside the same home network if the router lacks NAT loopback; test from an external connection or have a remote player try.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The world lags while exploring
- Lower
view-distanceand avoid raising player limits beyond the hardware’s capacity. - Keep the world on an SSD.
- Pre-generate heavily explored areas where the selected pack and tools support it, reducing simultaneous terrain-generation spikes.
- Check CPU, memory, and disk usage before adding RAM. Additional allocation cannot overcome a saturated processor or slow storage.
- Restart on a maintenance schedule and remove obsolete logs only after preserving information needed for diagnosis.
Updates, backups, and safe administration
Update procedure
- Announce a maintenance window and stop the server cleanly.
- Back up the complete world directory,
server.properties, permissions or operator files, and any custom configuration. - Record the current pack revision so you can roll back.
- Download the new release’s complete Server Pack rather than copying only selected mods.
- Install the new files in a separate directory first. Compare configuration changes and migrate only settings you understand.
- Launch the updated server privately, confirm the console completes startup, and test with one matching client.
- Give every player the same updated client release before reopening the server.
Backups
Keep more than one backup generation and store at least one copy outside the live server directory. Back up before every pack update, after major construction, and before changing world-generation or performance settings. A backup that has never been restored is only an assumption, so periodically test copying it to a separate directory and loading it with a temporary server.
Access and security
- Give operator privileges only to trusted administrators.
- Do not publish the server address unnecessarily.
- Use a firewall and expose only the port required for Minecraft.
- Keep Java and the operating system patched, while retaining the exact Java major version required by the pack.
- Never modify files while the server is running unless the pack explicitly documents a safe hot-reload operation.
Quick pre-launch checklist
- Exact generation and revision agreed by all players
- Complete Server Pack downloaded from the release’s Additional Files area
- Dedicated SSD-backed server folder created
- 64-bit Java 17 verified for BMC4
- Memory set around
-Xms6G -Xmx6Gonly when total system RAM permits it eula=truesaved after the first launchserver.propertiesreviewed for player limit, difficulty, view distance, and port- Firewall and TCP 25565 forwarding configured only when remote access is required
- At least one tested backup made
- Every client installed with the identical Minecraft, loader, and Better MC release
The Bottom Line
For the documented BMC4 setup, the reliable path is Minecraft 1.20.1, Forge, Java 17, the full Server Pack, at least 6 GB of allocated RAM within the host’s limits, and exact client/server version matching. Newer BMC generations change the Minecraft version, loader, and sometimes Java, so verify those details for the release you actually choose.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
