The cheapest ARK server package I could find was from LOW.MS at $9.80 for 10 slots per month. So for under $10 per month you and 9 friends could be playing a map on the original ARK or a DLC together.
If you are looking for a slightly larger server for more people to join then a sizable 30 slot one can cost you $15.00 per month with Host Havoc.
Lastly, if you are looking for a monster server with a large number of possible player slots then check out Survival Servers who have a $45.36 per month server for 100 players.
Cheap ARK Server Hosting
- 20 - 125 Player Slots
- Established 2007
- $0.75 Per Slot
- 48hr Money Back Guarantee
$15.00
per month
- 30 - 70 Player Slots
- Established 2011
- $0.50 Per Slot
- 3 Day Money Back Guarantee
$15.00
per month
- 30 - 70 Player Slots
- Established 2001
- $0.99 Per Slot
- 5 Day Money Back Guarantee
$29.95
per month
How much does it cost to host an ARK server?
From the prices I have collected and displayed above you can find a starter server for the game ARK: Survival Evolved for $9.80 per month from LOW.MS. With that rental you gain the ability to host a world for you and up to 9 other people (10 slots in total) at one time.
In addition to this virtual dedicated server you get access to a support team that can help you with any issues that may arise.
Modding support is included with most of the providers for that price so check before you buy. If a provider does come with Modding support then they may have an easier to use control panel (in terms of adding and maintaining mods) and support staff experienced in that area.
Can you host an ARK server for free?
Technically it is possible to host an ARK server on your computer (instructions here) or a dedicated computer on your network that has access to the outside world via the internet.
The experience for those connected will be very lagging as domestic internet connections are not designed for heavy upload speeds. Not only that, the low resources that your local machine may have in comparison to the ones typically used by game server hosting will most probably result in slow and unreliable performance.
So trying to host an ARK server for free for the sake of saving $10 a month or so is a serious false-economy, just spend the money!
How do I host my own ARK server?
The easiest way to host your own ARK server is to choose a provider from the list above and in a few clicks you will be ready to connect to it from the in-game server list.
To do this follow these steps:
To do this follow these steps:- Find a provider who has data-centers close to your location
- Choose a plan capable of handling you and your friends
- Sign up and checkout using PayPal (my personal favourite payment method)
- Set your ARK server up, setting a unique name and choosing mods
- Connect from inside the ARK: Survival Evolved server list
- Enjoy your game!
For a more in depth guide on choosing an ARK server hosting company then check out my behemoth article I wrote here.
What are the important features to check with an ARK host?
Be sure to check that the server you are renting actually supports the platform that you are playing on. For example, if you are a PC ARK player then make sure its compatible as you can’t mix Playstation and Xbox players with PC.
Another important factor to check is clustering, this is where you have multiple worlds on a single server – giving your players access to their resources across maps.
What is the best ARK server host?
If money is no a big problem then go with the most established company on my list GameServers.com. They have been in business since the start of this millennium, have a huge range of data-center locations and have a solid control panel system.0
Researched & written by Darren Hall
I hope you've found my "lockdown project" useful, I've enjoyed researching and presenting my findings above.
I'll keep updating my research into the cheapest ARK server hosting for many years to come - I want to ensure the info is as fresh & relevant as possible.
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