UDP vs TCP Ports Explained (and Which One You Need)

When adding extra ports to your server on Serverwave, you’ll see two options: TCP and UDP. If you’re not familiar with networking, this can be confusing — but don’t worry. In most cases, the choice is straightforward once you know what each one is used for.

This guide explains:

• What TCP and UDP are (in simple terms)
• The key differences
• Which port type to add for common Minecraft use cases like Geyser or Votifier

What is a Port?

A port is like a door into your server.

Each service (Minecraft, plugins, voice chat, voting, etc.) uses a specific port to send and receive data.

Your main Minecraft server already uses a port (usually 25565).

Some plugins and tools need additional ports to function correctly — that’s where adding extra ports comes in.

TCP vs UDP (Simple Explanation)

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - prioritizes reliability

• Makes sure all data arrives correctly
• Retries missing data
• Slightly slower, but very stable

Best for:

Things where accuracy matters more than speed.

Examples:

• Web traffic
• Plugin communication
• Voting systems
• Most Minecraft plugins

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) - prioritizes speed.

• Sends data without waiting for confirmation
• Faster, but data can be lost
• Used for real-time communication

Best for:

Things where speed matters more than perfection.

Examples:

• Game connections
• Bedrock connections
• Voice chat
• Real-time gameplay data

Which One Do You Need? (Most Important Part)

✅ Minecraft Java Server

• Port type: TCP
• Why: Java Edition uses TCP for stable, reliable communication.

(Default port is already set — you usually don’t need to add this.)

✅ Geyser (Bedrock Support)

To allow Bedrock players to join your Java server using Geyser, you need an extra UDP port.

• Port type: UDP
• Why: Bedrock Edition communicates over UDP

📌 Example:

• Java server runs on TCP 25565
• Geyser listens on a separate UDP port (e.g. 19132)

➡️ Add a UDP port when using Geyser

✅ Votifier (Receiving Votes)

Voting plugins like Votifier / NuVotifier require an extra TCP port.

• Port type: TCP
• Why: Vote requests must be reliable and secure

➡️ Add a TCP port for Votifier

✅ Voice Chat Plugins (Simple Voice Chat, Plasmo Voice, etc.)

Most voice chat plugins require UDP.

• Port type: UDP
• Why: Voice data needs low latency and real-time delivery

➡️ Add a UDP port for voice chat

✅ Webhooks, APIs, Plugin Communication

If a plugin communicates with external services or dashboards:

• Port type: TCP (almost always)

➡️ Default to TCP unless the plugin explicitly says UDP

Quick Rule of Thumb

If you’re unsure, use this:

• Gameplay / Bedrock / Voice → UDP
• Plugins / Voting / Web / APIs → TCP

How to Add an Extra Port on Serverwave

1. Stop your server
2. Go to Port Allocation in the sidebar
3. Add a new port
4. Choose TCP or UDP depending on your use case
5. Save and start your server

Your plugin will now be able to listen on that port.

Still Not Sure?

Always check the plugin’s documentation — it will usually say:

• Which port is needed
• Whether it’s TCP or UDP

And if you’re stuck, Serverwave support can help you choose the correct port.

Updated on: 20/12/2025