Choosing the best game server hosting platform can be tricky due to the extensive options available in the market. It gets even more difficult for beginners with limited knowledge and experience.
Not every game server hosting platform offers you a powerful server to experience smooth gameplay. Choose the provider that can handle high traffic, offers the best performance and optimum speed, quick customer support, and has DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection.
After extensive research, we’ve gathered 10 of the best game server hosting platforms for beginners and tech-savvy gamers.
Let’s get started.
Best Game Server Hosting
1. Host Havoc
Best Overall Game Server Hosting Platform
Pros
- 24/7 customer support via live chat.
- 72-hour money-back guarantee (full refund).
- 99.9% uptime guarantee.
- Great for large game parties.
Editor’s Take
Host Havoc is the leading game server hosting platform for hosting large numbers of gamers. I love Host Havoc because of its 99.9% uptime guarantee, instant server setup, and easy-to-use control panel that makes for the best gaming experience.
Best for
Large gaming parties
Data Centers
North America, Europe, and Australia
Host Havoc is a reliable game hosting provider for midrange and large gaming parties. It supports the Steam workshop, multiple mods, and plugins. You have the option to choose from 30+ popular games like Minecraft, ARK: Survival Evolved, 7 Days to Die, Arma 3, and Space Engineers.
Key Features
High Reliability
Host Havoc is a reliable game hosting platform that ensures you can play your favorite games with multiple players at any time. The game server provider gives you a 99.9% uptime guarantee for an enjoyable gaming experience.
Instant Server Setup
As soon as you sign up with Host Havoc, your preferred gaming servers are ready. However, you still need to customize them to suit your unique preferences and install the mods and plugins you want to run.
Easy-to-Use Control Panel
Host Havoc uses the best game control panel, the TCAdmin, which is simple to use for beginners. Users get access to features such as game and plugin updates, player management, advanced monitoring, map installer, and backup capabilities.
Free DDoS Security
The game server hosting service protects users’ data from DDoS attacks. Users enjoy two-factor authentication (2FA) for safe logins and daily backups of their gaming data.
NVMe SSD Storage
Host Havoc uses NVMe SSDs to power its systems and deliver powerful performance. Compared to other SSDs, the NVMe SSDs are seven times faster.
Ultra-Fast Processors
The hosting network uses the latest generation of Ryzen and Intel Xeon E-series CPUs that reach speeds of up to 4.6GHz. Only a few game server providers can match this processing speed.
Pricing
Host Havoc charges based on the number of players you want to support (open player slots). The pricing varies from one game to the other. If you purchase more player slots, you get a discount on what you pay per player.
- ARK: Survival Evolved Server Hosting pricing starts at $15/month.
- Minecraft Server Hosting pricing starts at $5/month.
- Valheim Server Hosting pricing starts at $15/month.
- Arma 3 Server Hosting pricing starts at $20/month.
2. ScalaCube
Best for Minecraft Hosting
Pros
- Data centers on four continents.
- Accepts multiple currencies for payment.
- Affordable pricing.
- 24/7 customer support via email and live chat.
- 50% discount on your first month.
Cons
- No regular shared hosting plans.
- No uptime guarantee.
Editor’s Take
ScalaCube is a state-of-the-art game server hosting platform that offers a free forever plan. I love ScalaCube because of its Minecraft server hosting, which is affordable and offers the best performance levels.
Best for
Minecraft Hosting
Data Centers
North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia
ScalaCube is a popular game server hosting platform that rents its servers for online games such as Minecraft, Minecraft PE, Rust, Ark, and Hytale.
Key Features
Unlimited Traffic
Many game server hosting providers limit your bandwidth as more players join your game server. The problem with this move is that it reduces gaming speed and performance. ScalaCube provides users with unlimited traffic and does not reduce your bandwidth.
HDD/SSD Storage
You can pick between HDD and SSD storage for your gaming server. Although HDD storage is the cheaper option, the SSD option offers ten times the loading speed and performance.
Total DDoS Protection
ScalaCube provides users with full DDoS protection for their game servers. The DDoS protection, combined with other advanced security features, helps you keep out intruders.
Ultra-Low Latency
Many game server hosting providers suffer from noticeable lags when the number of players increases. However, ScalaCube uses the lowest latency to prevent lags and boost gameplay.
Mod & Plugin Support
ScalaCube provides native support for countless mod packs and plugins, including standard packs, Spigot, and CurseForge. Installing and customizing mod packs is easy with ScalaCube’s one-click installation feature.
Pricing
ScalaCube has different pricing plans based on the type of game, number of player slots, and storage capacity.
- Minecraft Server Hosting pricing starts at the free forever plan.
- Bedrock Server Hosting pricing starts at $5/month.
- Hytale Server Hosting pricing starts at $10/month.
- ARK: Survival Evolved Server Hosting pricing starts at $19/month.
- Rust Server Hosting pricing starts at $24/month.
- Valheim Server Hosting pricing starts at $14/month.
- Project Zomboid Server Hosting pricing starts at $20/month.
- Terraria Server Hosting pricing starts at $4.80/month.
3. Streamline Servers
Beginner-Friendly Game Server Hosting Platform with Excellent Infrastructure
Pros
- Extensive gaming catalog.
- Free migration of existing game servers.
- Fast customer support team response.
- Free DDoS protection.
- Supports Bitcoin payment.
Cons
- Extra costs are required to back up data.
- No mods auto-updates.
- Accepts only USD and AUD payments.
Editor’s Take
If you’re looking for an affordable and versatile game server hosting service that supports different server types, Streamline Servers is the best pick. I love its extensive game catalog and that it offers free migration from an existing game server.
Data Centers
North America, Europe, South America, Oceania, and Asia.
Streamline Servers offers 99 different games or software programs hosted across its 22 data centers located in North America, Europe, South America, Oceania, and Asia.
The platform offers the best-performing infrastructure among other game server platforms, with robust DDoS protection and an excellent mod manager.
Key Features
Instant Server Setup
Streamline Servers help you instantly set up your game servers the moment you sign up so you can start playing immediately.
Industry-Standard Control Panel
This platform operates with the TCAdmin control panel, the default choice for many game server hosting providers. The TCAdmin control panel makes it easy to install plugins and add-ons, work with server files, and manage maps and players.
Seamless Integration
Streamline Servers integrates seamlessly with Tebex.io, which allows you to set up a fully functional online store to sell your perks and in-game items. It is one of the most effective ways of monetizing a multiplayer game server.
Excellent Mod Manager
Setting up your favorite mods and plugins is easy with Streamline Servers’ mod manager. The one-click installation feature is a game changer.
Security
Streamline Servers’ game server rentals are shored up with DDoS mitigation services from Black Lotus Staminus and NSFOCUS.
Pricing
Streamline Servers has different pricing plans based on the type of game and the number of player slots.
- Rust pricing starts from $18/month.
- Hell Let Loose pricing starts from $46.25/month.
- V Rising pricing starts from $16/month.
- 7 Days to Die pricing starts from $16/month.
- ARK: Survival Evolved pricing starts from $15/month.
- Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop pricing starts from $4/month.
- Minecraft pricing starts from $6/month.
- Mumble pricing starts from $2/month.
4. GTXGaming
Best for Setting up New Games
Pros
- 140+ supported games.
- Integrated features for individual games.
- Long-term pricing discounts.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Some locations cost extra.
Editor’s Take
GTXGaming offers 140+ games on its platform, which got it the title of the kingpin of game server hosting services. I love GTXGaming because of its excellent hardware infrastructure that can support different servers. You can switch between games or use multiple online game servers.
Best for
Setting up New Games
Data Centers
North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia
GTXGaming is the best game server hosting platform that supports the widest selection of games.
Key Features
Amazing Control Panel
GTXGaming uses a TCAdmin custom-based control panel that offers features for both individual server games and particular game mods. It is easy to configure for new users, and users can create a sub-user account to give others permission to manage their game server.
Mod Manager
This platform has a mod manager feature that helps install mods, plugins, and APIs. The mod update feature helps users detect and automatically update new versions available.
Security and Server Backup
Apart from its DDoS protection, GTXGaming allows daily backups, which are exported off-site, which is useful if something goes wrong with your server.
Pricing
GTXGaming pricing plans depend on the choice of game and the number of players.
- 7 Days To Die pricing starts from $10.10/month.
- ARK: Survival Evolved pricing starts from $12.06/month.
- Call of Duty: World at War pricing starts from $9.40/month.
- Counter Strike Source pricing starts from $6/month.
- Garry’s Mod pricing starts from $6/70/month.
- Minecraft pricing starts from $6.03/month.
- Team Fortress 2 pricing starts from $6.70/month.
5. ExtraVM
Best for Self-Managed VPS
Pros
- 72-hour money money-back guarantee.
- Affordable pricing.
- Separate managed Minecraft servers are available.
- 24/7 technical support.
- 25% off your first month.
- Free transfers.
Cons
- Offers only unmanaged servers that you will have to set up and configure by yourself.
Editor’s Take
ExtraVM is the best dedicated game server hosting for technical users. I love ExtraVM because of its anti-DDoS tools and the full flexibility and control it gives users. All its game servers run on high-performance and low-latency networks, so you can play your favorite games even with poor internet connectivity.
Data Centers
North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania
ExtraVM provides reliable and affordable DDoS-protected hosting services for users. The platform does not offer managed game hosting like other game server hosting providers. Users have to manually install the game control panel and their preferred games.
Key Features
Robust Anti-DDoS Security
ExtraVM has four layers of security, from its flexible pre-firewall that identifies and blocks common attacks to its game firewall that stops application-level attacks. It has a native shield and armor firewalls for extra protection.
Minecraft Managed Game Server Hosting
This hosting provider offers only one managed-to-host option for Minecraft servers.
User-Installed Control Panel
Unlike other game server hosting providers that offer pre-installed control panels, users have to manually install their control panel. You also have to manually install the games and mods, giving you complete freedom.
Pricing
Pricing for Minecraft Hosting
ExtraVM pricing varies based on the game chosen, the amount of RAM space needed, and the number of players. The below pricing is given for Minecraft server hosting:
- 1GB RAM recommended for 4 players – $3.20/month.
- 2GB RAM, recommended for 7 players – $6/month.
- 3GB RAM, recommended for 12 players – $9/month.
- 4GB RAM, recommended for 20 players – $12/month.
- 5GB RAM, recommended for 30 players – $15/month.
6. GameServers
Best Global Presence
GameServers is one of the best game server hosting platforms that offers the best global presence. The platform has 36 data centers located on six continents (North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania).
Key Features
Amazing Control Panel
GameServes runs on a user-friendly proprietary control panel that allows users to manage players, switch and configure games, and install mods.
Redirect Server
GameServers offers a redirect server that stores resources for users to access before their game to reduce the load on multiplayer servers. This feature prevents lag time and boosts gameplay speed.
Instant Activation
Once you sign up and pay for your game server, GameServers gets it ready for use in minutes.
Multiple Payment Options
GameServers gives you multiple options to fund your account. You can pay via credit cards, PayPal, or directly from your bank account.
Free Game Servers
This hosting platform offers its premium game servers for free for 3 hours. Users can check for available free game servers on the website, and if they are lucky to first claim one, they can enjoy a high-performance game server. One user can claim one server per day.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly platform.
- 24/7 customer support.
- 5-day money-back guarantee.
- Free website.
Cons
- The game server pages could be more informative.
- The provider does not give hardware specifications.
Pricing
GameServers charge per player slot.
- 7 Days to Die pricing plan costs $1.29/month per slot.
- Counter Strike Store pricing plan costs $0.49/month per slot.
- Minecraft pricing plan costs $1.99/month per slot.
- Rust pricing plan costs $0.34/month per slot.
- Project Zomboid pricing plan costs $1.49/month per slot.
7. Google Cloud
Best for Managed Global Dedicated Game Servers
Google Cloud is an IaaS provider built on one of the most robust or extensive networks globally. With Google Cloud’s game servers, users can host their games and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.
Key Features
Advanced Security
With Google being one of the largest tech companies in the world, its cloud game servers have access to one of the best security layers in the world. Data on Google Cloud is encrypted with AES 256-bit encryption, in addition to two-factor authentication.
Scaling
Google Cloud’s game server allows users to auto-scale its platform to meet their gaming needs. With its single control panel, users have easy access to manage and facilitate their server deployment.
Strategic Gaming Collaborations
Google Cloud collaborates with top gaming providers like Nvidia, Unity, and Unreal Engine for a seamless gaming experience.
Pros
- Game servers located in 24 regions and available in 200+ countries
- Impressive game server speed of up to 3.8 GHz.
- Competitive pricing.
- Integrates with other Google Services.
Cons
- Unsuitable for beginners.
- Difficult to migrate to another hosting platform.
Pricing
Google Cloud offers $300 in free credits to new customers. You need to request a quote to get a custom price for your game server needs. The best part about Google Cloud pricing? You only pay for the services you use.
8. OVHcloud
Best for Competitive Dedicated Game Servers
OVHcloud is among the top cloud hosting providers, offering various services to over 1.5 million customers, including providing infrastructure to other game hosting providers.
Key Features
Excellent Game Hosting System
OVHcloud deploys the popular Linux distributions in addition to its Windows servers and hypervisors to provide the performance and usability its users need.
Advanced Security
The game server hosting platform uses an optimized firewall to block and filter all suspicious traffic. Also, its shield and armor technology hinders DDoS attacks and keeps the game server secure.
IP Address
With OVHcloud, you get a free dedicated IP address, making it easier to manage your server. OVHcloud also supports floating IPs, making it easy for users to redirect from one multiplayer server to another.
Dedicated Gaming Server Solutions
OVHcloud offers full-on dedicated servers optimized for gaming. These servers are ideal for competitive gaming and a large number of players.
Pros
- Massively scalable.
- Massive dedicated servers.
- Supports floating IPs.
- 99.90% uptime guarantee.
Cons
- Costly for the average gamer.
Pricing
OVHcloud offers many dedicated plans with different pricing. Also, you can configure any dedicated server to suit your gaming needs.
9. Pingperfect
Best for Speed / Ping Hosting
Pingperfect is the best game server hosting platform for beginners, with data centers that cover six continents except for Antarctica. Its beginner-friendly control panel and automated offsite backup feature give its users the best gaming experience.
Key Features
User-Friendly Control Panel
Pingperfect runs on a customized version of TCAdmin, which is easy to use and allows users to schedule tasks on the platform.
Top-Notch Security
Pingperfect offers DDoS protection, an effective anti-DDoS measure that prevents server failure.
Automatic Backup
Pingperfect provides users with a feature that allows them to automatically export the backup of their server to an offsite location as an effective insurance policy.
Pros
- Supports over 170+ games.
- Automatic backups.
- 24/7 customer support via ticket and live chat.
- Top-notch speed/ping hosting.
- 48-hour money-back guarantee.
Cons
- Pingperfect add-ons are expensive.
- Users need to pay for migrations on Pingperfect.
Pricing
The pricing for Unturned server hosting is $0.47 per slot, and users can request a 48-hour trial. The pricing for some other games is as follows:
- 7 Days to Die pricing costs $1.15/month per slot.
- Ark Survival of the Fittest pricing costs $16.22/month per slot.
- Arma 3 pricing costs $0.61/month per slot.
- Battle Cry of Freedom pricing costs $0.26/month per slot.
- Counter Strike Global Offensive pricing costs $0.54/month per slot.
- Minecraft Java pricing costs $8.72/month per slot.
10. Amazon GameLift
Best for Session-Based Multiplayer Games
Amazon GameLift runs on AWS’s cloud infrastructure to deliver the best performance and save costs. This platform provides dedicated game servers that are scalable and easy to operate.
Key Features
Scalability
Amazon GameLift offers an auto-scaling feature that allows users to configure their server and automatically scale its capacity.
Robust Security
Since Amazon Gamelift is a product of Amazon Web Services (AWS), you enjoy cloud protection. Users also get DDoS protection to shore up their servers against network attacks.
Integrations
Amazon GameLift supports the majority of game engines, including Unity and Unreal Engine. Users can also integrate the game server hosting platform with numerous other AWS Services
Pros
- Easy to use and scale.
- High uptime guarantee.
- Ideal for hosting multiplayer games.
- Integrates with top game engines.
Cons
Pricing
Amazon GameLift requires you to request a pricing quote on its website. If you sign up for AWS Free Tier, you can use Amazon GameLift for free. You enjoy 125 hours per month of Amazon GameLift and 50 GB EBS General Purpose (SSD) storage monthly for a year.
What is Game Server Hosting?
Game server hosting is a physical or virtual server that allows players from different locations to connect and play games online. Most games you play over the internet work by connecting players to a game server.
Many companies provide game server hosting to play multiplayer games. They rent their game servers to users in exchange for a fee.
Benefits Of Running A Game Server
Choosing to use a game server comes with a lot of perks and benefits. Depending on what game you’re playing, you gain several advantages from running a game server.
- Faster Response Time: Using a well-managed game server makes the gameplay faster, which leads to a better gaming experience.
- No Waiting in Queues: With a private game server, players’ requirement to wait in line before joining the next game is eliminated. Players get to start their games almost immediately.
- Exclusive Access: With a gaming server, you are totally in control of who has access to the server.
- Ability to Modify: Access to a gaming server allows you to be actively involved in modding your favorite games.
How To Choose A Game Server Hosting Provider
Choosing a game server hosting provider can be a challenge. With many game service hosting providers in the market, picking the ideal one is no easy task.
Here are some key factors you need to look out for when choosing a game server hosting platform:
- Ease of Use: Choose a hosting provider that makes it relatively easy to set up and manage your game server.
- Reliability: As much as you need your game server to be fast and responsive. A reliable game server provider provides a platform with minimal latency or lagging issues.
- Pricing: When choosing a good game server provider, you must consider the cost. Your final choice of a game server provider should be affordable and offer great value for money.
FAQ
The cost of every gaming server depends on the type of web hosting, but on average, the basic plans cost between $5 – $20 per month. VPS packages cost $5 – $60 per month, while dedicated servers are $70 – $140 per month.
You can host a game server on game hosting platforms, whether public or private. However, you get the best experience when choosing a private platform.
Yes, hosting game servers is profitable. As a server admin, you can make money by requesting donations, advertising through banners, and charging per view.
A dedicated game server is a private (isolated) gaming server that hosts games for the server admin and other connected players.
Launch Your Dedicated Game Server
Do you need a dedicated game server, or are you better off using a public one? Launching a dedicated game server is a no-brainer if you fall under the category of individuals that take gaming seriously.
A dedicated game server offers you numerous benefits, like low ping times and the ability to add mods to your favorite games and skip the long waiting queues. What are you waiting for?
Best Overall
Host Havoc
Host Havoc is one of the largest players in the game server hosting industry with instant server setup and the ability to handle parallel tasks.
Best for Minecraft Hosting
ScalaCube
ScalaCube is a state-of-the-art game server hosting platform that provides the best performance levels and unlimited traffic for hosting Minecraft.
Best for Beginners
Streamline Servers
Streamline Servers is an affordable game hosting company that supports many server types, including high-quality dedicated game servers.
Largest Gaming Collection
GTXGaming
GTXGaming is a top game hosting platform with an extensive gaming collection, worldwide coverage, and DDoS-protected game servers.
Best for Virtual Private Servers
ExtraVM
ExtraVM is precisely designed to provide fast and modern hardware and virtual private servers with free DDoS protection for independent users.
Explore Further
Was This Article Helpful?
0.0
0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)
https://www.founderjar.com/best-game-server-hosting/
