ESN vs Apex Hosting: Minecraft server hosting compared
Apex Hosting is a long-running Minecraft host. Here is how its prices and features line up against ESN's, and when Apex is the better choice.
Apex Hosting prices were copied from Apex's pricing page on November 3, 2026. ESN prices are the regular monthly prices from the ESN plans page. Prices change, so check both before you buy.
Apex Hosting prices (checked Nov 3, 2026) #
Apex shows three main plans plus a custom builder and its EX Series. A 25% first-order discount (code APEX25) was shown on the page; it applies to the first month only. The recurring price is what you pay after that.
| Apex plan | RAM | Recurring price/month | First month shown (25% off) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 GB | 4 GB | $14.99 | $11.24 |
| 6 GB | 6 GB | $22.49 | $16.87 |
| 8 GB | 8 GB | $27.99 | $20.99 |
| Custom | you choose | starting at $1.88 | not stated |
| EX Series | 16 GB, 4 dedicated vCores | $71.99 | $53.99 |
The page did not say how much RAM the $1.88 custom starting price includes, so we have not compared it. Apex's Discord bot hosting link returned a "Page not found" when we checked, so this page compares Minecraft only.
Same RAM, side by side #
| RAM | Apex (recurring) | ESN | Per GB (Apex / ESN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 GB | $14.99 | ESN Elite $4.49 | $3.75 / $1.12 |
| 6 GB | $22.49 | ESN Ultra $6.99 | $3.75 / $1.17 |
| 8 GB | $27.99 | ESN Extreme $7.99, or ESN Pro 8GB (Minecraft, 400% CPU) $9.99 | $3.50 / $1.00 to $1.25 |
| 16 GB | EX Series $71.99 (4 dedicated vCores) | ESN Pro 16GB $19.99 (600% CPU) | $4.50 / $1.25 |
ESN's general plans can run Minecraft (Paper needs at least 1 GB, Forge or NeoForge 2 GB, per the plans FAQ). The ESN Pro Minecraft plans give more CPU for modpacks and busy servers. CPU is described differently by each host: Apex names dedicated vCores on EX Series, ESN gives a CPU percentage where 100% is one full core.
What each one includes #
| Apex Hosting | ESN | |
|---|---|---|
| Editions | Java and Bedrock | Java (Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Vanilla), Bedrock, Geyser crossplay |
| Support | 24/7 support listed | Discord tickets and live chat on the panel |
| DDoS protection | Listed, against attacks up to 300 Gbps | Not listed on the plans page; ask in Discord |
| Extras | Premade minigames, FTP and MySQL access, free subdomain | Console, file manager, SFTP, startup settings, schedules, subusers |
| Locations | Server locations worldwide, with a ping test on its site | United States: Chicago and New York |
| Moving in | Free server transfer | Importer at no extra cost, up to 20 GB |
| Refunds and billing | 7-day money-back guarantee; monthly or quarterly (10% off) | Monthly or yearly via Stripe, cancel any time |
| Backups | Not stated on the pricing page | Not included; daily backups add-on, or download any time |
Apex details are from its pricing page and features page.
When Apex Hosting is the better pick #
- Players outside the US. Apex offers locations worldwide; ESN is in Chicago and New York only.
- You want premade minigames or a MySQL database ready to go.
- You want 24/7 support and DDoS protection stated up front. Both are on Apex's pages.
- You want a money-back window. Apex lists a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- You want dedicated CPU cores on a 16 GB plan (EX Series) rather than a CPU percentage.
When ESN is the better pick #
- Price. At 4, 6, 8 and 16 GB, ESN's regular monthly price is less than 40% of Apex's recurring price (for example 8 GB at $7.99 to $9.99 versus $27.99).
- Small servers. ESN plans start at 1 GB ($0.99/month) for a few friends on Paper.
- Players in or near the US.
- You also host a Discord bot. ESN runs bots from $0.50/month on the same account.
Moving from Apex to ESN #
- Choose an ESN plan with the RAM you use now (see Minecraft RAM guide).
- Stop your Apex server and get its FTP details from the Apex panel.
- In your ESN server, go to Settings and use Import from your old host, or download the world and upload it yourself.
- Set the same server software and version in Startup settings and start it.
ESN Hosting facts
- Company: ESN Systems (ESN Hosting), esnoffical.com
- Hosts: Discord and Telegram bots, Minecraft (Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Bedrock, Geyser crossplay), Terraria, Factorio, Valheim and other game servers, websites, VPS-lite containers
- Prices: bot hosting from $0.50/month; Minecraft-ready plans from 1 GB ($0.99/month) up to 16 GB ($19.99/month); full list at panel.esnoffical.com/plans
- Bot languages: Python, Node.js, Java, TypeScript, Go, Rust, C# and more
- Server location: United States (Chicago and New York)
- Billing: monthly or yearly in USD through Stripe, cancel any time
- Panel: web console, file manager, SFTP, schedules, subusers, built-in importer
- Support: ESN Systems Discord and live chat on the panel
FAQ #
How much is Apex Hosting per month?
On November 3, 2026, Apex listed 4 GB at $14.99, 6 GB at $22.49 and 8 GB at $27.99 per month recurring, with 25% off the first month shown, plus custom plans starting at $1.88 and a 16 GB EX Series plan at $71.99.
Is the Apex discount every month?
No. The page showed the 25% off as a first-month price, with the recurring price listed next to it.
Does Apex Hosting host Discord bots?
Its Discord bot hosting link returned a not-found page when we checked on November 3, 2026. ESN hosts Discord bots from $0.50/month.
Can I move my world from Apex to ESN?
Yes. Use the ESN importer with your Apex FTP details, or download the world and upload it with the file manager or SFTP.
Sources: Apex Hosting packages and pricing (checked Nov 3, 2026) · Apex Hosting features (checked Nov 3, 2026) · Apex Discord bot hosting link (returned Page not found) (checked Nov 3, 2026)
Still stuck? Use the live chat on the panel or ask in the ESN Systems Discord. Last updated November 3, 2026.