How to Create a Server for Minecraft Multiplayer? 9 Best Minecraft Servers
Infrastructure
10.08.2021
12 min read
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What's the best way to set up a reliable Minecraft Multiplayer server? In this article we'll be sharing with you 9 of the very best servers for your Minecraft Multiplayer experience. You'll learn about how to set up and host your Minecraft Multiplayer server, together with price comparisons, the pros and cons of each service, and lots of other great advice to help you get started.
Minecraft has been around since 2021 and remains hugely popular due to its extremely entertaining and diverse gameplay. But the real fun starts when you create your own server to play with friends (and even make new ones).
If you're thinking of creating your own Minecraft world, keep reading to find out everything you need to know to do it the right way.
What is a Minecraft server?
A server is a combination of hardware and software platforms that allows developers and administrators to run their websites, complex applications, and virtual online worlds.
It's basically a powerful computer launched remotely on one of the hundreds of data centers around the globe. It is online 24/7, and runs a special software that makes it possible for multiple users to access the web services or gaming realms residing on its hard drive.
Minecraft servers are more targeted. At a technical level, they are not too different from any VDS or dedicated servers. The real difference is in the software that they run.
These specialised servers are made to create unique Minecraft worlds online, allowing people to play together, change the rules of the game and communicate with each other.
Why do you need your own Minecraft server?
When creating your own Minecraft world, it's natural to want your own set of rules. The best way to do this is to have Minecraft on your own personal Minecraft Multiplayer server. You can set it up exactly the way you want it, invite the players you want to play with, and change anything at any moment.
Having your personal Minecraft Multiplayer server gives you control over many elements of the game such as:
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Changing characteristics of the vanilla Minecraft world — the creatures inhabiting it, the materials it contains, etc.
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Providing individual collections of accessible materials that players can use for crafting.
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Choosing the most convenient way to create and maintain a virtual Minecraft realm as an administrator or game master.
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Having the opportunity to make money from your Minecraft server.
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Playing exclusively with your closest friends without being disturbed by strangers.
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Building your very own private and cozy Minecraft world.
If the above sounds like a lot of fun, then you definitely should consider creating your private server.
How to play Minecraft online
Minecraft is a great game to play alone, but the fun multiplies when you join someone or invite friends to play together. That’s why so many Minecraft fans are eager to find the best way to play the game online. And that’s why you need a server.
We will guide you through different ways to create Minecraft servers, showing you the best way to set up your own, explaining how to play with your friends for free and what great Minecraft servers (with engaging and entertaining mods) already exist.
How to make a server in Minecraft using Realms
The developers of Minecraft — Mojang in conjunction with Microsoft — created Project Realms. A Realm is an individual Minecraft server. It can be as unique or normal as you want it, and it’s a great way to play Minecraft officially.
All you have to do to get started, is to subscribe to Realms Plus. This is Microsoft’s service that allows you to create your personal realm on its servers, where you can play with up to ten friends.
The Realms service guarantees safe and reliable resources to play Minecraft online, without worrying about software settings, updating game clients, creating data backups, etc.
However, it comes with two major drawbacks:
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You have to use a licensed version of Minecraft and pay to play.
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You have to deal with Microsoft’s restrictions. No cheats, no mods, no custom rules or plugins.
If you really want to have your own unique experience, free from all restrictions, then Realms is not for you. But don’t worry. There are many other solutions for you to check out below.
How to create your own Minecraft server
The first thing you have to do is download the Minecraft server that suits your needs. There are two server types:
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Vanilla. That is the classic implementation of the Minecraft server as offered by the developers of the game. Just like Realms, it has restrictions on modes and plugins, but it still allows you to create a more personal and unique experience, and save all the data on your PC or dedicated server.
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Bukkit. This is a project created by enthusiasts who wanted to break free of Microsoft’s restrictions, and explore Minecraft’s unlimited possibilities with modifications created by third-party developers and fans of the game.
Both of these servers are available online and can be downloaded for free.
Vanilla is available on the official Minecraft website. To work with it, you must download Minecraft Server and launch it via the Java command-line interface.
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Download and install Java
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Open the command prompt of your operating system
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For Windows: select the Start button and type
cmd, you’ll see Command Prompt in the list -
For MacOS: press Command - spacebar to launch Spotlight and type Terminal, then double-click the search result
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Linux: press Ctrl+Alt+t keys at the same time
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java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraftserver.1.17.1.jar nogui
Your server is now up.
Next, you’ll need to configure your server and find a way to connect to it. The method for doing this depends on what kind of hosting you’ve chosen.
To create a Bukkit server, you’ll need to download Forge and install it. Once it has downloaded, you’ll need to launch it and set up the parameters of the server.
Where to host your server
For your server to be accessible, it needs a place to live.
If you’ve downloaded a server and launched it on your computer, your server will only be online for as long as your computer is running it. Turn the computer off (or even close the command line while running Minecraft server), and bye-bye custom Minecraft world.
So you need a computer that will remain online and accessible for the players 24/7.
For this, you can use a generic hosting provider and rent a dedicated server to host your game world.
Once you have remote access to your rented server:
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Download your chosen Minecraft server onto it
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Start the server via the Java command
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraftserver.1.17.1.jar nogui -
Set up your connection parameters, find the IP address and ports to connect, etc.
While this is a very popular method for setting up your own Minecraft Multiplayer server, we agree that it involves a bit of work.
So let’s look at some other solutions.
How to host a Minecraft server for free
The process of creating and setting up a free Minecraft server is almost the same as for the paid version.
First, you have to find a free hosting provider that will allow you to host your data on its hardware. This isn’t exactly easy, as not many people like sharing their property with others for free.
Moreover, you’ll be forced to use a non-official Minecraft server application created by a third party. The same goes for the game client, since the original game isn’t free and there’s no way to override this.
If you’re ok with all of the above, you just need to download the Bukkit server and launch it via the Forge Minecraft server app on your free hosting. The method is identical to the one we explained above for the non-free options.
Why you shouldn't host your server for free
Yes, you can host your Minecraft server for free. But we would strongly advise against doing so.
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Free hosting providers are typically slow and unreliable. Don’t you want your virtual world to be alive and well at all times? Free hosting would definitely spoil the whole experience with its poor performance.
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If you’re not paying money, the provider has no obligation towards you. So, if at any point they decide to shut down your virtual world, they can do so without asking and there’s nothing you can do about it.
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Free hosting providers still need to pay the bills. This means they might display advertisements on your site or even in your gaming chat. This can be very annoying to say the least. And if you have minors playing on your server, some of the ads being displayed might not be appropriate for their age, which could get you in trouble.
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One other way that free hosting providers will make money is by selling your personal data. Not all of them do it, but do you really want to take that risk?
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The hardware restrictions of free hosting will limit you dramatically. You won’t be able to invite as many friends to play as you wish, and you’ll have severe limitations on how many materials, constructions, and NPCs you can add.
If you wanted to start your own Minecraft server to have unlimited creative freedom and a reliable platform, a free server will only lead to disappointment.
Luckily, there’s another option you can use.
The best way to host your Minecraft server
Instead of dealing with troublesome and confusing dedicated servers, you can use a hosting platform like Hostman.
Hostman features a marketplace with loads of software products that you can deploy with just one click. This includes Minecraft servers. With just a few clicks, you can create your very own private server, avoiding part of the limitations imposed by Microsoft.
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Visit the Hostman Marketplace
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Choose Minecraft server
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Click on the Deploy button
Done!
You’re now ready to enjoy your own unique instance of Minecraft virtual world, supported by a reliable and swift hardware platform.
If you’re looking for a high-performance Minecraft server installation that offers a certain degree of freedom and that won’t break the bank, you have it all here.
How to connect to your Minecraft server
Connection to your virtual Minecraft worlds is usually established via the game client:
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Open the game.
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Go to the Multiplayer menu.
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Choose the Direct Connect option.
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Type the IP address of the server.
Within a few seconds, you should be connected to the server hosted on the address you specified.
But what’s the Minecraft server’s address?
If the server is up and running on your local machine, then the IP address of the server is the same as the IP address of the PC itself. To discover your IP address, you can use a site like Speedtest. If you’re using remote hosting, you can find the IP address in the control panel of the service provider.
Popular ready-made Minecraft servers
Unfortunately, if you use a third-party client of the game, you won’t be able to see the server list in Minecraft. However you can find many ready-made maps and servers for Minecraft, each with their specific set of rules and unique gameplay features.
Here’s a list of some popular ready-made Minecraft servers for you to try out. We’ve added a little description for each one, but there’s a lot more information out there if you want to dig deeper.
Brawl
One of the best Minecraft servers. Great map for those of you who want to bring a bit of Call of Duty into the classic building and survival game. Brawl transforms Minecraft into a shooter with a variety of gameplay styles.
Minescape
This is a great setup for fans of classic online RPGs like Runescape. These kinds of servers imitate that game and do it quite well. Explore dungeons, kill monsters, find artifacts, etc.
Among US Performium
This map imitates the game called “Among Us”. Among Us Performium is pretty popular and allows players to experience the unique gameplay of Among Us in a new and interesting way.
Best Minecraft survival servers
At its core, Minecraft is a survival game. But if you’re a hardcore survivalist, you’ll love the added challenge and realism provided by these servers.
Grand Theft Minecart
An interesting alternative to classic GTA games. It won’t be as pretty as the original game, but the atmosphere and features are there. You can buy your own house, acquire weapons and get into firefights with the police. A true GTA experience.
Minewind
This one is perfect for people looking for an extra dose of adrenaline. Tons of griefers and different monsters on this map. Your only task is to survive as long as possible.
Best Minecraft parkour servers
With the rise in popularity of parkour, it’s only natural that this sport has found its way into Minecraft. Here, you’ll find a collection of challenging Minecraft worlds where you need to hop over cubes to get from point A to point B. These servers are called parkour servers and they are incredibly fun to play on.
ZERO.MINR
This is a Minecraft world based on the children’s game “the floor is lava”. Concrete platforms floating over a tremendous amount of lava. Your task is to get through this hell as fast as possible (without being burned up by a volcano of course).
MANACUBE
Great server and map with different modes. One of the best features of MANACUBE is SkyBlocks. An impressive amount of blocks hovers in midair, and you need to use them to get from point A to point B. If you’re wondering “What’s the best Minecraft server with skyblocks?” this is the one.
Best Minecraft prison servers
Jail in real life isn’t fun. But in Minecraft it can be a real blast! Here are some prison-themed servers to appease your inner escape artist.
The Archon
One of the most popular servers on the internet, and one of the largest offering prison mode. It is set in the past, with a bit of a pirate theme. So, get ready to board your enemy’s ship and plunder to your pirate heart’s content.
Purple Prison
One of the oldest prison servers. This one is all about life in prison. You’ll need to learn all of the little details about surviving in a prison, participating in massive gang fights, etc.
Summary
Minecraft servers are very popular gaming platforms, bringing together thousands of players for a ton of fun. You can create a private server to play exclusively with your friends, or create a public one to invite players from around the world and make money offering unique features not available anywhere else.
Whatever your path, the best way to host your server is at Hostman.
Just click on the Deploy button and you’re almost set up and ready to go. You can try out Hostman for free for the first 7 days. And if you like it (we hope you will), it only costs 19 dollars a month.
Shared between friends, $19/month is a small price to pay for complete freedom and unlimited fun :-)
Set up your Minecraft server with Hostman today.
Infrastructure
10.08.2021
12 min read
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Infrastructure
PostgreSQL vs MySQL: Which Database Is Right for Your Business?
PostgreSQL and MySQL are among the most popular relational databases. In this article, we will examine the functional differences between them and compare their performance so that you can choose the database that is suitable for your business.
PostgreSQL vs MySQL
Despite the increasing similarity in features between PostgreSQL and MySQL, important differences remain. For example, PostgreSQL is better suited for managing large and complex databases, while MySQL is optimal for website and online-application databases because it is oriented toward speed. This follows from the internal structure of these relational database systems, which we will examine.
Data Storage in PostgreSQL and MySQL
Like any other relational databases, these systems store data in tables. However, MySQL uses several storage engines for this, while PostgreSQL uses only a single storage engine. On one hand, this makes PostgreSQL more convenient, because MySQL’s engines read and write data to disk differently. On the other hand, MySQL offers greater flexibility in choosing a data engine.
However, PostgreSQL has an advantage: its storage engine implements table inheritance, where tables are represented as objects. As a result, operations are performed using object-oriented functions.
Support
The SQL standard is over 35 years old, and only the developers of PostgreSQL aim to bring their product into full compliance with the standard. The developers of MySQL use a different approach: if a certain feature simplifies working with the system, it will be implemented even if it does not fully conform to the standard. This makes MySQL more user-friendly compared to PostgreSQL.
In terms of community support, the number of MySQL developers still exceeds those working with PostgreSQL, but you can receive qualified help in both communities. In addition, many free guides and even books have been written about PostgreSQL, containing answers to most questions. It is also worth noting that both platforms are free, but MySQL has several commercial editions, which can sometimes lead to additional expenses.
Programming Languages
Both systems support a wide range of programming languages. Among the popular ones are C++, Java, Python, lua, and PHP. Therefore, a company’s development team will not face difficulties implementing features in either system.
Operating Systems
MySQL is a more universal system that runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and several other operating systems. PostgreSQL was originally designed for Linux, but with the REST API interface, it becomes an equally universal solution that operates on any OS.
Data Processing
PostgreSQL provides more capabilities for data processing. For example, a cursor is used for moving through table data, and responses are written to the memory of the database server rather than the client, as in MySQL. PostgreSQL also allows building indexes simultaneously for several columns. It supports different index types, allowing work with multiple data types. This database also supports regular expressions in queries. However, new fields in PostgreSQL can only be added at the end of a table.
Parallel data processing is better organized in PostgreSQL because the platform has a built-in implementation of MVCC (multiversion concurrency control). MVCC can also be supported in MySQL, but only if InnoDB is used. Concerning replication, PostgreSQL supports logical, streaming, and bidirectional replication, while MySQL supports circular replication as well as master-master and master-standby. Replication refers to copying data between databases located on different servers.
PostgreSQL and MySQL: Performance Comparison
Testing is fair only when comparing two clean, “out-of-the-box” systems. Indexed testing provides the following results:
Insertion: PostgreSQL is more than 2.7× faster, processing a 400,000-record database in 5.5 seconds versus 15 seconds for MySQL.
Inner join: PostgreSQL processes 400,000 records in 1.1 seconds, MySQL in 2.8 seconds: a gain of more than 2.5×.
Indexed sorting: PostgreSQL processes the same number of records in 0.9 seconds, MySQL in 1.5 seconds.
Grouping: For the same 400,000-record database, PostgreSQL achieves 0.35 seconds, MySQL 0.52 seconds.
Indexed selection: PostgreSQL is 2× faster: 0.6 seconds vs. 1.2 seconds.
When it comes to updating data, PostgreSQL’s update time increases gradually as the number of records grows, while MySQL processes them in roughly the same time, starting from 100,000 records. This is due to different data-storage implementations. Nevertheless, PostgreSQL holds a significant advantage over MySQL even with large data volumes: 3.5 seconds versus 9.5 seconds for 400,000 records—more than 2.7× faster.
Without indexes, PostgreSQL also shows surprisingly high performance, processing a 400,000-record database in 1.3, 0.7, and 2.2 seconds for inner join, selection, and update operations, respectively.
Thus, PostgreSQL delivers an average performance advantage of about 2× (2.06). Although MySQL was originally positioned as a high-performance platform, constant optimization by the PostgreSQL development team has resulted in greater efficiency.
Advantages for Developers
Here we consider only the unique features characteristic of each platform. Therefore, we will not discuss support for MVCC or ACID, as these features are present in both systems.
From a developer’s perspective, MySQL is advantageous because it:
Provides increased flexibility and is easily scalable, with more than ten storage engines based on different data-storage algorithms.
Handles small read-oriented databases more efficiently (i.e., without frequent writes).
Is easier to manage and maintain, because it requires less configuration and fewer preparatory steps before starting work.
From a developer’s perspective, PostgreSQL is advantageous because it:
Offers an object-oriented approach to data, enabling inheritance and allowing the creation of more complex table structures that do not fit the traditional relational model.
Handles write-oriented databases better, including validation of written data.
Supports object-oriented programming features, enabling work with NoSQL-style data, including XML and JSON formats.
Can support databases without limitations on data volume. Some companies use PostgreSQL to run databases as large as several petabytes.
PostgreSQL and MySQL Comparison
For clarity, the main features of both systems can be presented in a table:
PostgreSQL
MySQL
Supported OS
Solaris, Windows, Linux, OS X, Unix, HP-UX
Solaris, Windows, Linux, OS X, FreeBSD
Use cases
Large databases with complex queries (e.g., Big Data)
Lighter databases (e.g., websites and applications)
Data types
Supports advanced data types, including arrays and hstore
Supports standard SQL data types
Table inheritance
Yes
No
Triggers
Supports triggers for a wide range of commands
Limited trigger support
Storage engines
Single (Storage Engine)
Multiple
As we can see, several features are implemented only in PostgreSQL. Both systems support ODBC, JDBC, CTE (common table expressions), declarative partitioning, GIS, SRS, window functions, and many other features.
Conclusion
Each system has its strengths. MySQL handles horizontal scaling well and is easier to configure and manage. However, if you expect database expansion or plan to work with different data types, it is better to consider implementing PostgreSQL in advance. Moreover, PostgreSQL is a fully free solution, so companies with limited budgets can use it without fear of unnecessary costs.
24 November 2025 · 6 min to read
Infrastructure
How to Speed Up Development with Cloud Technologies
From the point of view of a software-development company, the computing infrastructure needed for developing and supporting software can be of two types:
Servers owned by the development company
The application developer physically hosts the server equipment directly in their office or data center, maintains it themselves, and ensures data security.
This approach has become less popular over the years. Developers prefer using a provider that offers computing power on its own equipment on a paid basis.
Advantages:
Full physical control over the servers
High data security and confidentiality
Disadvantages:
Financial costs for server hardware
Financial costs for maintenance (specialists, equipment)
Need for experience and expertise to support data centers
Servers managed by another organization
The application developer chooses a provider from whom they remotely rent computing resources. Today, this is the most optimal option for most companies.
Advantages:
No need for own equipment
The amount of computing resources used is flexibly adjustable
No need for experience or expertise in network communications
Disadvantages:
The provider is responsible for data security and confidentiality
No physical control over the servers
What Are Cloud Technologies?
Cloud technologies are technical solutions that provide users with computing power through a flexibly configurable online service.
The cloud belongs to the provider of cloud resources, who owns the physical servers.
Although clouds from different providers have their own unique features, they generally include the following basic components:
servers
storage
databases
network infrastructure
software
testing and analytics tools
Physical and Logical Layers
The main feature of the cloud is that, unlike the traditional server-rental model, it separates the physical and logical layers.
This means that data processing and network interactions exist on top of the physical base—the server machines located in data centers (DCs).
This is why cloud allows the flexible configuration of the resources a specific application requires.
This architecture can be represented hierarchically:
Logical layer: operating systems, virtualization systems, containers, server applications, application-level network protocols, business logic, client applications
Physical layer: server machines, motherboards, ASIC controllers, low-level network protocols
Cloud Models
There are several types of clouds that differ in the degree of abstraction of the software (logical) level.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
Only computing power is provided, with just the operating system and sometimes additional software.
Examples:
Amazon Web Services
Microsoft Azure
Google Cloud
Hostman Cloud Servers
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
Along with computing power, a set of tools for development and administration is provided.
Examples:
Red Hat OpenShift
AWS Elastic Beanstalk
Google App Engine
Hostman App Platform
SaaS (Software as a Service)
A client application with ready-to-use functionality that does not require specialized knowledge.
Examples:
Google Drive
Salesforce
Dropbox
Types of Clouds
Clouds differ in their degree of isolation, from fully public to fully private. There are also mixed implementations.
Public
Computing resources are located in the provider’s data center. All cloud provider resources are distributed among users depending on the chosen pricing plans.
Private
The cloud is completely isolated (sometimes even disconnected from the global Internet) and is physically located on the user's server equipment.
There are also cases when the cloud provider offers isolated server resources for a specific client, while other users use the public part of the cloud.
Hybrid
A combination of a private cloud and a public one. Usually, business logic containing sensitive data is placed in the private cloud, while “peripheral” computing is performed in the provider’s public cloud.
Advantages of Cloud Technologies
Simplified Development
Using any of the existing cloud models clearly simplifies the development process.
The closer a chosen model is to SaaS, the easier it is to interact with the cloud, but the more standardized and typical the solution becomes.
The closer a chosen model is to IaaS, the more precisely the cloud can be configured, but the more complex it becomes to maintain.
Therefore, the cloud model is selected individually for every case. A standardized solution may not fit someone if the product being developed requires a more unique technical implementation.
For example, using cloud databases (DBaaS) provided by Hostman removes many responsibilities from the developer regarding managing their own storage.
While deploying a database cluster can be done fairly quickly and easily, using it properly “in the long run” requires certain expertise.
Thus, to stay focused on development, it makes sense to entrust this function to an experienced provider with established methodologies, expertise, and the necessary technical solutions.
Cost Optimization
In the cloud, user expenses match the amount of resources used in their work tasks.
This payment model, "pay-as-you-go", is fundamental to cloud computing: you pay only for the resources you use.
If, at some point, more resources are needed, they are allocated quickly and increase costs. Conversely, extra resources can be “returned” to the provider, reducing expenses.
In other words, the user’s financial expenses correlate with the number of resources consumed. Allocation and release of resources happen instantly.
Additionally, delegating cloud-infrastructure management to the provider eliminates the developer’s costs associated with maintaining their own data center:
Hiring specialists and administrators
Purchasing server equipment
Renting premises
Faster Deployment
Instant access to cloud resources and the ability to configure them flexibly significantly reduces the time:
From the start of MVP development of a new product to its deployment in a production environment
From the start of developing new features to adding them to the finished product
For example, the development process of a new service might look like this:
Managers formalize requirements for the future product.
Developers determine the technology stack.
The development company rents the necessary computing resources from a cloud provider, including cloud servers, Kubernetes clusters, and object storage.
Developers write code, which is automatically deployed in the provider’s cloud environment.
The new product is tested, and user feedback is collected.
Based on the collected data, managers decide whether further support is justified. If the product does not meet expectations, the allocated resources are returned to the provider. If successful, the computing resources can be expanded.
In some cases, a developer may use multiple clouds from completely different providers, forming what is called a multi-cloud.
1. Cloud Server
Cloud servers differ from dedicated servers in that the “physical” configuration is adjusted within a certain range.
For example, Hostman cloud servers can be parameterized using a configurator. In this case, the rental cost corresponds to the capacities selected in the account panel.
Accordingly, when workloads change, a cloud server can be scaled: CPU cores, RAM, disk space, or connection speed can be increased.
2. Cloud Databases
In addition to the computing power provided by the cloud server, most projects require a specialized database.
Hostman provides most popular database engines as a separate cloud service:
MySQL
PostgreSQL
Redis
and others
As with servers, computing resources for a database can be configured based on several parameters:
Number of cores
RAM
NVMe disk size
Rental period
When ordering a database, you don’t need to configure hardware, track software updates, or administer the database: the infrastructure is managed by Hostman.
3. Kubernetes
A crucial component of cloud development is automation of building, deploying, and testing using CI/CD pipelines.
CI/CD is the basis of the DevOps methodology, whose goal is to automate changes to software.
Cloud services provide the needed capabilities for this. For example, GitHub CI/CD and GitLab CI/CD infrastructures have special cloud tools that simplify creating CI/CD pipelines, including test environments, storage, notification functions, and databases.
Modern applications consist of microservices placed in containers. Kubernetes, the standard for container orchestration, is used for management and monitoring.
Kubernetes clusters from Hostman can be a suitable solution.
In this case, the developer avoids the costs associated with maintaining their own infrastructure as the execution of Kubernetes applications is handled by the provider.
Conclusion
In this article, we reviewed what efficient development using cloud services looks like, and also mentioned the most popular developer tools:
Cloud servers
Databases
Monitoring tools (CI/CD, Kubernetes)
While creating your own data centers requires time, expertise, and significant financial investment, the cloud is provided by a provider in a refined and secure form.
A ready-made cloud helps developers immediately focus on the business logic of the application, thus speeding up development and integration of innovations.
Today, public cloud services are available even in areas that were previously predominantly non-cloud. Clouds are being implemented even in enterprises unrelated to IT.
Therefore, cloud technologies not only accelerate development but also accelerate digital transformation as a whole.
24 November 2025 · 8 min to read
Infrastructure
Microservices Architecture: What It Is, Who It’s For, and Tools to Use
Every developer strives to speed up product development while maintaining enough flexibility and confident control over the process. Microservices application architecture helps solve these tasks and, over the past 10 years, has begun actively competing with the traditional monolithic approach. To begin, let’s look at the difference between them.
Microservices Architecture vs. Monolith
The difference between these two software development approaches is easiest to illustrate with an example. Let’s imagine two online stores: one implemented as a monolith and the other as microservices.
A monolithic online store is a single, indivisible structure that combines all components: databases (catalog, customer data), shopping cart, order and payment forms. All of these elements are tightly interconnected and located on the same server.
In a microservices system, each component is an independent module that developers can work on separately. And naturally, nothing requires hosting these modules on a single server.
Thus, microservices architecture is a kind of constructor that allows you to add new elements painlessly as you scale the application. A monolith, on the other hand, can be compared to a solid wall: scaling here is only possible by adding another identical monolith.
It’s worth adding that microservices are sometimes mistakenly perceived as a set of very small services. This is not the case: for example, the database of a large online store may contain millions of records and occupy tens of gigabytes, yet still be just one of the modules within the microservices architecture of the whole application.
Comparing Microservices and Monoliths by Key Criteria
Now let’s look at the main characteristics of microservices technology in comparison with a monolith and see how both approaches solve the same developer tasks.
Release Cycles
Development speed and frequency of updates increase with microservices thanks to modularity: changes are made not to the entire codebase but to individual modules. With a monolith, however, the whole platform must be updated first, which increases testing and debugging time. As a result, development slows down and updates are released less frequently.
Technology Stack
The microservices model offers significantly greater flexibility because each service can be written in its own programming language and may use different libraries and data-storage technologies. With a monolith, the situation is different: changing the technology stack is nearly impossible. Developers are forced to stick to the initial tools.
Developer Onboarding
Each module in a microservices architecture is self-contained, making it possible to bring in programmers who are familiar with the functionality of a specific service. This substantially lowers the onboarding threshold. With a monolith, new developers must dive into the code of the entire application, understand the functions of every block, and only then begin productive work. Thus, maintaining a monolith is more dependent on specific team members.
Optimization Characteristics
The modularity of microservices architecture also positively affects optimization, since developers can optimize each service separately. Optimizing a monolithic structure is more difficult because the team must account for links between indivisible blocks, and updating any one of them inevitably affects the entire application.
Application Scalability
The distributed structure of microservices and their ability to run on separate servers make scaling fast and easy. In monoliths, scaling one component inevitably requires scaling the entire application as a whole.
Fault Tolerance
Because services are hosted on different servers and have a modular structure, microservices architecture achieves independence of each module. This significantly increases system resilience: a failure in one service does not cause the entire application to fail. With a monolith, the situation is different: all components are tightly interconnected, so the failure of one module can make the entire application inoperable.
Do I Need to Switch to Microservices Right Now?
As we’ve seen, microservices have advantages in many key areas. But does this mean you need to abandon monoliths as an outdated approach and immediately switch to microservices? The answer depends on the current state of your project. And let’s say right away: rushing to adopt microservices is not always the right choice. Distributed architecture also has its drawbacks.
First, microservices require ensuring network connectivity between modules. If a network connection is unstable, this leads to delays and data inconsistencies, which create potential problems in application behavior.
Second, each module of a microservices system requires separate testing and health monitoring. Additionally, you will need to allocate cloud resources for each module, which may increase costs.
Third, with the microservices approach, teams responsible for different modules may encounter interaction issues. This means you may need a connecting link in the form of DevOps specialists who can streamline collaboration and speed up development.
All the factors listed above allow us to conclude that the transition to microservices must be timely. Usually, during the early stages of a project, this is unnecessary, especially if developers have limited human or financial resources.
Switching to a microservices architecture makes sense when there is a clear need for significant scaling, and scaling a monolith has already become difficult. Microservices may be right for you if:
You have a large team. In this case, it makes sense to divide the team into separate, independent groups, each responsible for its own service;
You have a complex, branched application. In this case, it’s far more convenient to update and maintain modules separately than to rebalance the entire system each time;
Your application traffic is highly variable. For example, you see sharp spikes in load during certain periods. Microservices' distributed structure allows quick scaling during peak loads, after which you can easily return to normal capacity levels;
Your application is frequently updated. Working with separate modules in this scenario is much simpler, and new releases will be significantly faster.
If your project meets at least one of these criteria, this is a reason to consider breaking it into independent elements. However, if your application is relatively small and does not require frequent updates, it is reasonable not to rush away from monolithic architecture.
Useful Tools for Organizing Microservices
A modern development approach requires a containerization platform. In most cases, developers use Docker for these purposes. Docker tools allow them to isolate the application from the infrastructure, meaning they can work with it equally well locally or in the cloud, which is very convenient for development.
Once containers become numerous, an orchestrator becomes essential for managing and organizing groups of containers. Kubernetes is most commonly used as an orchestrator due to its strong compatibility with Docker.
Another necessary tool is a load balancer, which ensures even distribution of network traffic across all cloud resources. This significantly increases the application’s fault tolerance.
21 November 2025 · 6 min to read
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