If you've searched for the "cheapest possible" Minecraft server, you've definitely seen ScalaCube. With entry prices that look like a typo (sometimes as low as $2), they're a huge draw for new players. But here's the reality: that ultra-low price tag often comes with some major fine print.

If you’re tired of the "budget trap" and want a host that prioritizes performance and honest pricing, it’s time to see how Fern is doing things differently.

The 30-Second Verdict

Go with ScalaCube if: You want the absolute lowest cost to get online right now and don't mind a traditional subscription that might jump in price after the first month.

Go with Fern if: You want high-performance hardware (NVMe + Modern CPUs) and a billing model that actually respects your wallet. With the $5 Phase campaign, you get a 2-Week Phase* of professional-grade hosting. No hidden renewal surprises, just credits that only spend when you’re actually playing.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	ScalaCube	Fern (fern.host)
Pricing Model	Subscription (Variable)	Flexible Credits (Pay-as-you-go)
Entry Price	~$2.00/mo (Intro Special)	$5 = 2-Week Phase (Starter/Vanilla)*
Slots	Unlimited	Unlimited
Hardware	Standard Virtualized	High-Performance NVMe & Modern CPUs
Subdomains	Included	Included
Mod Management	One-Click (1000+)	Integrated Visual Tools
Cross-play	Plugin-based	Native (Java + Bedrock)

Deeper Dive: The Discount Trap vs. Real Value

The biggest problem with budget hosting isn't the hardware, it's the marketing.

No More Renewal Surprises

ScalaCube is famous for their "50% off first month" deals. It’s great for testing, but it leads to a massive headache when the second month arrives and your bill suddenly doubles.

The ScalaCube Sinkhole: You're on a recurring subscription. If your group takes a break for two weeks, you're still paying for a server that nobody is using.
The Fern Way: You use credits. If you play for a weekend and then stop, your credits stay in your account. They don't expire, and they don't jump in price next month. You only pay for the fun you actually have.

Better Tools for Growing Communities

While ScalaCube’s panel gets the job done, Fern’s Mission Control is built for the modern player.

Manage players like a human: No more memorizing /kick or /ban commands. Our visual dashboard lets you manage your community with a single click.
Native Cross-play: ScalaCube often requires and manual Geyser/Floodgate setup. Fern handles this natively so your friends on consoles, iPhones, and PCs can all join instantly.
Advanced Live Console: Our console is fast and filterable, built specifically for Minecraft logs, not just a generic terminal.

The "Phase" Factor

Most Minecraft groups follow a cycle; play intensely for two weeks, take a month off, and come back for the next update.

ScalaCube’s model forced you to keep paying during the "off" weeks or go through the annoyance of canceling. Fern’s $5 Phase campaign is built for this exact cycle. For just $5, you get a 2-Week Phase* of Starter (Vanilla) tier playtime. Since billing stops the second you turn the server off, that $5 can literally last you months. If you're tackling a heavy modpack on our 7GB tier, $5 still gets you ~41 hours of elite performance.

Buy your credits, play your two-week phase, and then just let it sit. Your data is safe, your burn is zero, and you can pick up exactly where you left off whenever you’re ready.

Final Verdict

ScalaCube is a decent pick if you're on a strict budget and don't mind navigating their panel for the sake of "unlimited" marketing.

But for the owner who wants a premium, "set it and forget it" experience with actual professional hardware, Fern is the clear winner. For $5, you get peace of mind and performance that budget hosts simply can't match.

Ready to ditch the renewal traps?

Launch your server on Fern for $5 →

<small>*Based on 166 hours of metered runtime, equivalent to ~12 hours/day for 2 weeks of active play.</small>