The best game server hosting services enable gameplay with minimal lag and maximum customization. This is done through providing dedicated resources, low-latency connections, and support for game modding. This guide highlights the 10 best game server hosting providers on the market. We explore their features, costs, game customization options, and player capacity.
After that, we explain what game server hosting is, what types of games you’re able to host, and whether you should use VPS or dedicated server hosting. We then dive into specific server hosting types like Minecraft and Palworld hosting, game modding capabilities, free hosting options, and whether it’s possible to host servers on your own machine. Finally, we answer the key question: “Which is the best game server host?”.Hostinger is our #1 pick of best game server host.
top game server hosts
1. Hostinger
https://www.hostinger.com/Hostinger offers a range of VPS hosting plans designed specifically for gaming. Their Game Panel 1 is their entry-level plan priced at RM22.50 per month. It includes 4 GB RAM, 1 vCPU core, and 50 GB NVMe disk space. Other benefits include a user-friendly control panel and instant setups for over 100 popular games, including Minecraft, ARK: Survival Evolved, Counter-Strike, and Palworld. Hostinger’s infrastructure also utilizes AMD EPYC processors to ensure high performance and reliability for gaming servers.
Hostinger has 10 data centers located across Asia, Europe, North America, and South America to help reduce latency and ensure a smoother gaming experience for players. Users also get full root access for server customization, and essential features like DDoS protection and automatic off-site backups to safeguard your data. See our full Hostinger review to learn more.
What are the pros and cons of Hostinger game server hosting?
There are 3 pros of Hostinger’s game server hosting:
- User-friendly control panel
- Full FTP/file access
- Multiple plan tiers for scalability
There is 1 con of Hostinger’s game server hosting:
- Higher renewal prices
2. OVHcloud
https://www.ovhcloud.com/OVHCloud provides dedicated servers with customizable specifications for gaming. Their Rise-GAME-1 plan starts at RM316.35 per month. It includes an AMD Ryzen 5 3600X CPU with 6 cores, 32 to 64 GB of RAM, and 2 x 512 GB SSD storage. These dedicated servers are ideal for hosting resource-intensive games like Minecraft, Rust, and ARK: Survival Evolved, as they offer the power and flexibility needed for large multiplayer environments.
OVHCloud’s global network of data centers in North America and Europe helps minimize latency for players worldwide. These servers come with DDoS protection and give users full control over server configurations. Their included documentation streamlines the server setup process and helps users get started quickly. Check our OVHcloud review to learn more.
What are the pros and cons of OVHCloud game server hosting?
There are 3 pros of OVHcloud’s game server hosting:
- Fully customizable hardware options
- Dedicated IP address
- Global data center locations for low latency
There are 2 cons of OVHcloud’s game server hosting:
- High starting cost
- Complex setup for beginners
3. Vultr
https://www.vultr.com/Vultr offers both VPS and dedicated server plans to provide users with cost-efficient solutions for hosting game servers. Their Cloud Compute VPS plans start at RM0.018 per hour. Users get 1 vCPU, 0.5 GB RAM, and 10 GB storage. This setup is ideal for hosting smaller multiplayer games like Minecraft, Rust, and Terraria.
Vultr also offers Bare Metal dedicated plans for larger or more resource-intensive games like ARK: Survival Evolved, Grand Theft Auto V (FiveM), and Escape from Tarkov. Their NVIDIA L40S starts at RM4.50 per hour. It includes 64 cores, 4 x 3.84 TB NVMe storage, and 2 TB RAM. Users get exclusive access to all hardware resources, DDoS protection, and dedicated IP addresses to ensure a secure and smooth gaming experience.
What are the pros and cons of Vultr game server hosting?
There are 3 pros of Vultr’s game server hosting:
- Scalable Cloud Compute options for smaller games
- Full root access for customization and control
- High-performance dedicated servers for large multiplayer games
There is 1 con of Vultr’s game server hosting:
- Not as beginner friendly
4. Nitrado
https://server.nitrado.net/Nitrado offers versatile VPS hosting plans with support for over 117 games including popular titles like ARK: Survival Ascended, DayZ, Minecraft (Vanilla), and Palworld. Pricing starts at RM7.60 for 3 days, which makes Nitrado’s VPS hosting a flexible and affordable option for short-term gaming or testing new setups. Users are also able to customize their server setup with options ranging from 4 to 200 slots and 2 to 33 GB RAM, with flexible runtimes from 3 to 365 days.
Their Minecraft hosting offers a 4-slot server with 2 GB of RAM available for RM29.70 per month, a 6-slot plan for RM44, and a 10-slot plan for RM72.90, all on 30-day subscriptions. These plans include 24/7 support, access to multiple games, and detailed server guides.
Nitrado’s global data centers ensure low-latency gaming, backed by DDoS protection through their proprietary SteelShield™ technology. Users easily manage their servers via a user-friendly web interface and switch between games whenever needed.
What are the pros and cons of Nitrado game server hosting?
There are 3 pros of Nitrado’s game server hosting:
- Flexible short-term pricing
- Easy game switching with a user-friendly web interface
- 24/7 multilingual support
There is 1 con of Nitrado’s game server hosting:
- Limited control over server modifications compared to full root access on other platforms
5. GGservers
https://ggservers.com/GGServers offers VPS hosting plans with flexible options for over 50 popular games, including Minecraft, ARK: Survival Evolved, and Rust. They serve over 500,000 clients globally and deployed more than 25,000 servers across 11 data center locations.
GGServers offers comprehensive Minecraft hosting plans with both standard and premium options. Their standard budget servers feature 3.2-4 GHz CPUs, DDR4 RAM, and unmetered SSD storage. Their cheapest plan, STONE, starts at RM13.50 per month. It includes 1 GB of RAM and 12 player slots. They also offer scalable plans such as the DIAMOND plan which provides 8 GB of RAM and 96 player slots for RM108 per month, and even higher configurations up to 32 GB RAM with unlimited player slots.
GGServers’ Minecraft hosting also supports modpacks and offers instant server setup. Other benefits include free DDoS protection, a free subdomain, and an easy-to-use Multicraft control panel.
What are the pros and cons of GGServers game server hosting?
There are 2 pros of GGServer’s game server hosting:
- Unmetered SSD storage
- Global data center locations for low latency
There is 1 con of GGServer’s game server hosting:
- Limited server locations available in standard plans
6. BisectHosting
https://www.bisecthosting.com/BisectHosting offers reliable VPS hosting with support for over 50 games, including popular titles like 7 Days to Die, ARK: Survival Evolved, and American Truck Simulator. Their VPS plans start at RM18 per month. They provide gamers with customizable server settings, low-latency connections, and the ability to invite friends or build their own gaming community.
Bisect Hosting’s VPS hosting is ideal for both private matches and community-building. It includes full mod support, which allows players to modify game files freely. Their service also features 1.3Tb/s DDoS protection for enhanced security, NVMe SSD storage for faster load times, and 20 worldwide data center locations to ensure low-latency gaming. Their custom control panel provides users with full access to files and server management tools.
What are the pros and cons of BisectHosting game server hosting?
There are 3 pros of BisectHosting’s game server hosting:
- Full mod support with file access
- Global data center locations for low latency
- 1.3Tb/s DDoS protection
There are 2 cons of BisectHosting’s game server hosting:
- Some advanced customization options are less intuitive for beginners
- Higher-tier plans tend to be expensive for larger gaming communities
7. Apex Hosting
https://apexminecrafthosting.com/APEX Hosting offers premium game servers at affordable prices. They provide instant deployment and ease of use, and support a wide variety of games, including Minecraft, ARK: Survival Ascended, and Rust.
Their Minecraft 2 GB RAM plan is available for RM27 for the first month and then RM36 monthly. All hosting packages come with a range of features, including unlimited player slots, full DDoS protection, free server transfers, and automated backups. Users also get a free subdomain and a 7-day money-back guarantee. Other perks include a free MySQL database and powerful control panel tools to make server management easy. APEX Hosting ensures low latency and excellent performance for users across the world with global server locations in Portland, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, and Tokyo.
What are the pros and cons of APEX Hosting game server hosting?
There are 4 pros of Apex Hosting’s game server hosting:
- Instant server deployment
- Unlimited player slots
- Full DDoS protection
- Free server transfers and subdomains
There are 2 cons of Apex Hosting’s game server hosting:
- Price increase after the first month
- Limited customization options compared to more advanced hosting services
8. ScalaCube
https://scalacube.com/ScalaCube is best known for their Minecraft VPS hosting, which includes features like unlimited player slots, full file access, mod support, DDoS protection, and automated backups. They also notably offer one-click installation for over 1,000 modpacks, and full control over settings and customizations. This makes it easy for users to create and manage their own Minecraft worlds.
ScalaCube’s entry-level plan starts at RM9 for the first month and renews at RM18 monthly. It offers 768 MB of RAM and support for up to 10 players. In addition to Minecraft, ScalaCube supports other popular games such as ARK: Survival Evolved, Rust, Valheim, Terraria, Project Zomboid, Palworld, and Factorio. The hosting provider ensures low latency connections with data centers located in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Poland, Singapore, and Australia. Their 24/7 customer support provides users with reliable assistance for all game hosting needs.
What are the pros and cons of ScalaCube game server hosting?
There are 3 pros of ScalaCube’s game server hosting:
- One-click installation for over 1,000 modpacks
- Full file access for mod and plugin management
- Affordable pricing
There is 1 con of ScalaCube’s game server hosting:
- Limited RAM on entry-level plans
9. Host Havoc
https://hosthavoc.com/Host Havoc provides high performance Minecraft server hosting at competitive prices. Their entry-level GRASS plan is priced at RM16.90 per month. It comes with 1 GB RAM, NVMe SSD storage, and support for 1-4 vanilla players. Higher-tier plans such as DIAMOND include up to 16 GB RAM and support for 250+ vanilla players. All plans come with full FTP access, DDoS protection, and are managed through the Multicraft control panel, which simplifies modpack installations and server management.
Host Havoc operates data centers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Each plan includes features like free dedicated IPs on select tiers, automatic backups, and 24/7 customer support. This ensures a reliable and smooth gaming experience for Minecraft and other games like ARK: Survival Evolved, Rust, and Conan Exiles.
What are the pros and cons of Host Havoc game server hosting?
There are 3 pros of Host Havoc’s game server hosting:
- Affordable plans
- NVMe SSD storage
- Full FTP access for complete server customization
There is 1 con of Host Havoc’s game server hosting:
- Dedicated IPs are only available on select higher-tier plans
10. ShockByte
https://shockbyte.com/Shockbyte offers premium game server hosting for over 45 of the most popular games. Their entry-level Minecraft server starts at RM13.50 per month. It includes 1 GB RAM, instant setup, DDoS protection, and support for mods and plugins. Popular games like Rust and Terraria are also available with pricing starting at RM67.50 and RM22.50 per month, respectively.
Shockbyte provides a custom IP subdomain for free, and offers a 3-day money back guarantee for new users. They ensure a seamless hosting experience with 100% uptime guaranteed through their SLA and 24/7 customer support. They also have 13 server locations worldwide to ensure low latency.
What are the pros and cons of ShockByte game server hosting?
There are 3 pros of ShockByte’s game server hosting:
- Affordable entry-level pricing
- 100% uptime guarantee backed by their SLA
- Full support for mods and plugins
There is 1 con of ShockByte’s game server hosting:
- Limited RAM on entry-level plans
What Is Game Server Hosting?
Game server hosting is a specialized type of hosting that is tailored to meet the demands of hosting online multiplayer games. A game server works as a dedicated server that hosts the online game and allows other players to connect and play together in real-time. These servers then handle the game’s world, including player interactions, in-game events, and data synchronization. Hosting in this way provides gamers with increased stability and reliability. Another advantage is increased scalability since it allows more players to join the game compared to simple online co-op sessions.
Game server hosting is a very unique subset of web hosting that prioritizes the needs of gamers (casual and professionals) and game server hosting businesses. While traditional web hosting is usually chosen by individuals and businesses creating websites or web applications, game server hosting is all about supporting seamless gameplay. Game server hosting therefore provides high-performance CPU, RAM, and low-latency network connections. Fast servers ensures the game runs efficiently and lag-free. It also provides features like DDoS protection, easy mod installation, and automated backups.
Can I Host Game Servers Using Regular Web Hosting Plans?
Yes, you can host game servers using regular web hosting plans if you use a VPS or dedicated server. You need to make sure the hosting plan is powered by consumer-grade processors like Intel Core or AMD Ryzen, as they provide the optimized CPU performance to ensure smooth gameplay. Server-grade CPUs, while excellent for general hosting, are not optimized for gaming performance and may struggle to handle the real-time demands of multiplayer games effectively.
What Games Can I Host on Game Servers?
5 examples of popular games you can host on game servers include Minecraft, Rust, Palworld, ARK, and Terraria. It’s possible to host a huge variety of mainstream titles that focus on multiplayer gameplay on game servers.
What Is Minecraft Server Hosting?
Minecraft server hosting is a specialized game server hosting service that provides the infrastructure needed to run a dedicated Minecraft server. Minecraft is a sandbox video game where players build, explore, and survive in block-based worlds, either in single-player mode or with others in multiplayer. Minecraft hosting allows players to create and manage their own Minecraft worlds, where they invite others to join, build, and explore together. A Minecraft server hosting service includes dedicated resources, low-latency connections, customization options, DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection, and automated backups.
What Is Palword Server Hosting?
Palworld server hosting is a specialized game server hosting service designed to support the multiplayer features of Palworld. Palworld is an open-world survival game with creature-collecting elements. Palworld hosting provides the necessary infrastructure to host and manage a dedicated Palworld server, thereby enabling players to create their own game worlds and invite up players to join (32 players max). Palworld server hosting also prioritizes speed, flexible customization options, DDoS protection, and compatibility with the server requirements outlined in the Palworld Server Guide.
Do Game Server Hosts Allow Game Modding?
Yes, game server hosts generally allow game modding. Game modding is the process of modifying game files to alter gameplay mechanics, add new features, or customize the game environment. It’s crucial to choose a server host that provides file or FTP access to mod your game effectively. This access enables you to upload and install mods or plugins, thereby enhancing the game with new content and functionalities.
How Many Players Can Game Server Hosts Support?
Most reputable game server hosts can support a minimum of 12 players, depending on the server’s resources and configuration. 100MB of RAM is generally required to support one player. The more RAM your server has, the more players it can accommodate. For example, a server with 1GB of RAM comfortably supports about 10 players, while increasing the RAM would allow for more players to join the game without performance issues. Choosing a game server host with scalable RAM options is important if you plan to host larger multiplayer sessions.
How Much Do Game Servers Cost?
Game servers cost between RM13.50 to RM315 per month depending on the type of game hosting chosen and the features provided. This price range gives you access to various hosting options including gaming VPS (Virtual Private Servers) and gaming dedicated servers, each offering different levels of performance and control.
These plans include features such as custom control panels, FTP access, DDoS protection, and server backups. The specific cost depends on the server’s resources, such as CPU, RAM, and storage, as well as any additional features or support services included in the plan.
Are There Free Game Server Hosting?
Yes, there are free game server hosting options available. However, most free game server hosts come with 2 significant limitations.The first is that the game server cannot stay up for an extended period of time without charging a fee. The second is that free game servers often run poorly due to restricted server performance, including limited CPU, RAM, and bandwidth. This leads to lag, frequent downtime, and a subpar gaming experience.
Free game server hosting is suitable for small, temporary games or testing, but it’s generally not recommended for serious, long-term or professional gaming use due to these performance and availability issues.
Should I Use VPS or Dedicated Game Server?
You should use a VPS or a dedicated game server depending on the number of players you wish to host and the performance demands of the game. Use gaming VPS (Virtual Private Server) if you are hosting a smaller game or have a moderate number of players. VPS is cost-effective and provides sufficient resources for games that don’t require intensive performance. It’s ideal if you need some flexibility and control but don’t need the full power of a dedicated server.
Use a dedicated game server if you are hosting a large game with a high number of players, or if your game requires maximum performance and resources. Dedicated servers offer superior performance, reliability, and customization options, which makes them the best choice for large-scale or resource-intensive games.
What Is Gaming VPS?
Gaming VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a type of hosting service that provides a virtualized environment specifically optimized for hosting game servers. VPS hosting divides a physical server into multiple virtual servers, each with its own dedicated resources such as CPU, RAM, and storage.
What Is a Dedicated Game Server?
A dedicated game server is a physical server exclusively allocated to run a single game or multiple games. Unlike virtualized environments, a dedicated server gives you complete access to all of the server’s resources, including CPU, RAM, and storage, without having to share them with other users.
Can I Host Game Servers on My Own Machine?
Yes, you can host game servers on your own machine. This means your own computer acts as the server, and manages all the data processing and player connections. There are 2 challenges to be addressed when hosting on your own machine.
The first is bandwidth requirements. Hosting a game server requires sufficient bandwidth to handle multiple players connecting simultaneously. Players experience lag if your internet connection is not robust enough, which compromises the overall gaming experience. The second is uptime dependency. The game server will only be active as long as your machine stays on and connected to the internet. The server goes offline if your computer shuts down or loses connection, which disrupts gameplay for all connected players.
Hosting a game server on your own machine is a cost-effective solution for small, private games, but it requires careful management of resources and uptime to ensure a stable and enjoyable experience for players.
Which Is the Best Game Server Host?
The best game server host for you depends on the demands of the game you want to host and your specific needs. It’s important to evaluate the quality of the host’s offerings, such as server performance, uptime reliability, and support for game modding and customization. The best game server hosts offer dedicated resources, low-latency connections, and strong customer support to ensure your game runs smoothly.
Our top choice is Hostinger because of its balance between high-quality hardware, well-rounded features, and affordable pricing. Its scalable plans also accommodate a variety of games and community sizes, thereby providing flexibility as your needs grow.