Launch day for Hytale! The game offers a next-generation multiplayer experience with its modern server architecture. If you want to create your own server to play with your friends or start a community, this guide details all the steps you need to take to set up a high-performance Hytale server (as at 13 January 2026).
What is a Hytale server?
A Hytale server is a dedicated instance of the game that runs continuously and allows several players to connect to the same persistent world. Unlike single-player mode, the world remains active 24/7.
Differences with Minecraft
Hytale features a modern technical architecture designed by Hypixel Studios :
| Features | Minecraft | Hytale |
|---|---|---|
| Java | Version 17-21 | Version 25 mandatory |
| Protocol | TCP/IP | QUIC over UDP |
| Server files | ~50 MB | 3+ GB (Assets.zip) |
| Modding | Bukkit/Spigot | Integrated native |
| Default port | 25565 TCP | 5520 UDP |
The QUIC protocol reduces network latency by around 30% compared with conventional TCP. Modding is natively integrated on the server side, with automatic synchronisation of resources.
Hardware requirements {#hardware-requirements}
Specifications by server size
| Players | CPU | RAM | Storage | Bandwidth | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-10 | 4 cores @ 3.5GHz | 6-8 GB | 30 GB SSD | 100 Mbps | 10-20€/month |
| 10-20 | 4 cores @ 4.0GHz | 8-12- GB | 50 GB NVMe | 500 Mbps | 20-35€/month |
| 20-30 | 6 cores @ 4.2GHz | 18 GB | 80 GB NVMe | 1 Gbps | 35-55€/month |
| 30-50 | 8 cores @ 4.5GHz | 32 GB | 120 GB NVMe | 1 Gbps | 55-80€/month |
Note RAM: Minimum 6 GB recommended for a comfortable start-up, even for a small server.
Important technical points
Processor
Frequency (GHz) takes precedence over the number of cores. Hytale mainly uses 2-4 threads. Choose AMD Ryzen 7000 or Intel 13th/14th gen.
Storage
NVMe has a direct impact on performance:
- SATA SSD: 550 MB/s (acceptable for small servers)
- NVMe Gen 3: 3500 MB/s (recommended)
- NVMe Gen 4: 7000 MB/s (optimal for 30+ players)
Disk space :
HytaleServer.jar 50 MB
Assets.zip 3.2 GB
Monde initial 2-5 GB
Mods 100-500 MB
Logs 100 MB
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Total départ 20-30 GB
Après 3 mois 50-80 GB
Network
Allow around 1.5 Mbps upload per player. For 10 players: 15-20 Mbps minimum.
Choosing your type of accommodation
Option 1: In-house accommodation
Benefits
- No monthly charges (excluding electricity ~€10/month)
- Total physical control
Disadvantages
- Limited upload (5-10 Mbps = 3-5 players max)
- Dynamic IP
- No DDoS protection
- No support
Actual cost: ~€24/month (electricity + hardware depreciation)
Option 2: Cloud VPS (recommended)
Benefits
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Fixed IP
- Automatic back-ups
- Anti-DDoS protection
- 24/7 support
Disadvantages
- Monthly recurring cost
Average rates :
- 6 GB RAM: €10-15/month (5-10 players)
- 8 GB RAM: €20-30/month (10-20 players)
- 16 GB RAM: €40-60/month (20-40 players)
Option 3: Dedicated server
Benefits
- Maximum performance
- 100% dedicated resources
Disadvantages
- High cost (€50-300/month)
- Complex configuration
🔧 Technical requirements
1. Java 25 (mandatory)
Hytale requires Java 25 or higher. Earlier versions will not work.
Verification:
java -version
# Doit afficher : openjdk version "25.0.1"
Java 25 installation :
Windows: Download from Adoptium.net and install OpenJDK 25.
Linux (Ubuntu/Debian) :
wget -O - https://packages.adoptium.net/artifactory/api/gpg/key/public | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb https://packages.adoptium.net/artifactory/deb $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/adoptium.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install temurin-25-jdk
2. HytaleServer.jar
The main server file (~50 MB) can be downloaded via the Hytale launcher.
Windows location :
%appdata%\Hytale\install\release\package\game\latest\HytaleServer.jar
3. Assets.zip
Size: ~3.2 GB
Contains all the game’s resources (textures, sounds, 3D models). Essential at start-up.
Location:
Windows : %appdata%\Hytale\install\release\package\game\latest\Assets.zip
Linux : $XDG_DATA_HOME/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest/Assets.zip
macOS : ~/Library/Application Support/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest/Assets.zip
4. Port 5520 UDP
Hytale uses QUIC over UDP on port 5520.
Windows firewall configuration :
Pare-feu Windows → Paramètres avancés
Règles entrantes → Nouvelle règle
Type : Port → UDP → 5520
Autoriser la connexion
Linux (UFW) :
sudo ufw allow 5520/udp
sudo ufw reload
📦 Step-by-step installation
Windows installation
Step 1: Create the folder
mkdir C:\HytaleServer
cd C:\HytaleServer
Step 2: Placing files
Copy HytaleServer.jar and Assets.zip to C:\HytaleServer\.
Step 3: Start-up script
Create start.bat:
@echo off
title Hytale Server
java -Xms2G -Xmx6G -XX:+UseG1GC -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip --bind 0.0.0.0:5520
pause
Adjust -Xmx6G according to your RAM.
Step 4: Launch
Double-click on start.bat. First boot :
[INFO] Starting Hytale Server v1.0.0
[INFO] Loading Assets.zip... (1-2 minutes)
[WARN] Server requires authentication
[INFO] Use command: /auth login device
[INFO] Server online on port 5520
Step 5: Authentication
In the console :
> /auth login device
[INFO] Device code: ABCD-1234
[INFO] Visit: https://accounts.hytale.com/device
Confirm on the site with the code displayed.
Linux installation (Ubuntu)
Step 1: Install Java 25
wget -O - https://packages.adoptium.net/artifactory/api/gpg/key/public | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb https://packages.adoptium.net/artifactory/deb $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/adoptium.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install temurin-25-jdk
Step 2: Create a dedicated user
sudo adduser --system --group --home /opt/hytale hytale
sudo su - hytale
Step 3: Prepare server
mkdir server && cd server
# Placer HytaleServer.jar et Assets.zip ici (via SFTP)
Step 4: Start-up script
Create start.sh:
#!/bin/bash
java -Xms2G -Xmx6G \
-XX:+UseG1GC \
-XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 \
-jar HytaleServer.jar \
--assets Assets.zip \
--bind 0.0.0.0:5520
chmod +x start.sh
./start.sh
Step 5: Systemd service (optional)
Create /etc/systemd/system/hytale.service:
[Unit]
Description=Hytale Server
After=network.target
[Service]
Type=simple
User=hytale
WorkingDirectory=/opt/hytale/server
ExecStart=/opt/hytale/server/start.sh
Restart=on-failure
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
sudo systemctl enable hytale
sudo systemctl start hytale
⚙️ Server configuration
File config.json
Location: /opt/hytale/server/config.json
{
"Version": 3,
"ServerName": "Mon Serveur Hytale",
"MOTD": "Bienvenue !",
"Password": "",
"MaxPlayers": 20,
"MaxViewRadius": 32,
"LocalCompressionEnabled": false,
"Defaults": {
"World": "default",
"GameMode": "Adventure"
},
"ConnectionTimeouts": {
"JoinTimeouts": {}
},
"RateLimit": {},
"Modules": {},
"LogLevels": {},
"Mods": {},
"DisplayTmpTagsInStrings": false,
"PlayerStorage": {
"Type": "Hytale"
}
}
Key parameters :
ServerName: Name displayedMaxPlayers: Player limitsMaxViewRadius: Rendered distance (32 = high)Password: Leave empty except for private server
JVM optimisation
5-10 players :
java -Xms4G -Xmx6G -XX:+UseG1GC -jar HytaleServer.jar
20-30 players :
java -Xms8G -Xmx12G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -jar HytaleServer.jar
50+ players (ZGC) :
java -Xms16G -Xmx24G -XX:+UseZGC -jar HytaleServer.jar
💰 Prices and options
In-house accommodation
Hardware 500-2000€ (one-time)
Électricité/mois 10-15€
───────────────────────────────
Coût mensuel réel ~25€
A simple alternative? Get started in under a minute
With our rental service, your Hytale server is up and running in less than 60 seconds. No technical configuration, everything is automated.
-15% off your first month with code hytale15
⚠️ Common problems
Error : Java version incorrect
Error: HytaleServer has been compiled by a more recent version
Solution: Install at least Java 25.
Error: Assets.zip missing
[ERROR] Assets.zip not found
[FATAL] Cannot start server
Solution: Place Assets.zip in the server folder.
Error: Port already in use
[ERROR] Port 5520 already in use
Solution: Close the other instances or change the port.
Problem: Unable to connect
Please check :
- Port 5520 UDP open (firewall + box)
- Correct public IP
- Port forwarding configured
❓ FAQ
How much does a Hytale server cost?
From €12.99/month for a 6 GB VPS hosting 5-10 players comfortably.
Is Java 25 compulsory?
Yes, Hytale does not work with earlier versions.
What’s the difference with Minecraft?
Modern technical architecture (QUIC, Java 25), integrated native modding, automatic synchronisation of resources.
How many players with 8 GB RAM?
10-20 players comfortably. With optimisations, up to 25-30.
Can I host for free?
Technically yes on your PC, but the internet upload is limited to 3-5 players max.
How do I migrate my server?
Copy the universe/ folder, config.json and the mods/ folder to the new server.
Do Minecraft mods work?
No. Hytale and Minecraft use different APIs.
Limit of servers per licence?
100 servers maximum per Hytale account.
Explore our other Hytale guides
To find out more about your configuration, see our additional tutorials: