10 Best Game Server Hosting Services for 2024

10 Best Game Server Hosting Services for 2024

Selecting the best game server hosting is necessary for a proper online gaming experience. You’ll want to look for a web hosting platform that guarantees optimal performance and reliability for a seamless and lag-free game server.

Key considerations like server locations, scalability, security, customization, and control over server settings are essential. Additionally, strong support and active community involvement are crucial. Pricing also plays a significant role in balancing cost with quality.

Drawing on expert insights and practical experience, we will guide you in selecting an ideal dedicated game server hosting plan. Whether it’s for a competitive esports event or multiplayer games with friends, this article will help you make an informed decision.

Top 10 Game Server Hosting Providers

Selecting the best game hosting provider can be challenging. Here, we spotlight the top ten game server hosting platforms, each offering unique benefits for your gaming servers.

From dedicated server hosting to specialized game server hosts powered by virtual private servers, these picks will ensure quality.

1. Hostinger

Hostinger's Minecraft server hosting official page

Hostinger Stats:

  • Best for These Games: Minecraft, Palworld, Counter-Strike 2, Enshrouded, Rust
  • Price: starts at $6.99/month

Hostinger’s game server hosting is notable for its versatility and user-friendliness. Operating in a VPS environment with Debian 11 distribution, it provides dedicated resources, enhancing game server setup and management experience.

Hostinger’s game servers cater to a wide range of player preferences, supporting server versions from Official to Spigot. Additionally, Hostinger’s Minecraft VPS hosting is versatile and robust, supporting most popular Minecraft mods, allowing for an even more customized and engaging gameplay.

The advanced Game Panel not only streamlines server installation and management but also supports the hosting of multiple servers, including those for other Steam-based games like CS:2 and Rust. The panel offers extensive customization options, including plugin and automatic mod installers, allowing players to tailor their gaming experience.

For those passionate about hosting Palworld servers, Hostinger also offers VPS packages tailor-made to fulfil Palworld system requirements. For a stable performance, a Palworld hosting setup with at least 8 GB of RAM, 40 GB of storage, and a multicore processor is advisable. Hostinger’s Palworld game server hosting plans are specifically designed to meet these demands, providing the necessary resources to facilitate a seamless and immersive gaming experience.

Our Game Panel also regularly adds new game compatibility, allowing you to set up a dedicated server for Palworld, Enshrouded and other upcoming titles. 

Furthermore, Hostinger’s VPS AI Assistant helps in optimizing game servers, offering support from basic guidance to complex script and command implementation.

As one of the best VPS hosting for game servers like Palworld and Minecraft, Hostinger provides six global server locations, including Lithuania, the Netherlands, France, the United States, India, and Brazil. This geographical spread ensures reduced latency and improved connectivity for players worldwide.

Key Features

  • Supports multiple Minecraft versions and server types.
  • Customization options with plugin and mod installers.
  • Full root access and FTP support for manual mod installations.
  • The Game Panel facilitates instant server setup for various games.
  • High-performance hardware with fast SSDs and speedy CPUs.
  • VPS AI Assistant for comprehensive server management and optimization.
  • Dedicated IP addresses with enhanced DDoS protection.
  • Built-in malware scanner and firewall for server security.

Drawbacks

  • Limited to Debian 11 OS, with no options for other distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Switching server locations requires re-installation or contacting support.

2. Shockbyte

Shockbyte's official homepage

Shockbyte Stats:

  • Best for These Games: Minecraft, ARK: Survival Evolved
  • Price: starts at $2.50/month

Shockbyte, a leading game server hosting provider, is mainly known for its Minecraft hosting services. It stands out due to its affordability and comprehensive plan options, accommodating various server sizes and budgets.

The hosting plans come with features such as a 100% uptime guarantee, DDoS protection, and round-the-clock support. Additionally, Shockbyte supports a diverse range of games, including ARK: Survival Evolved, Valheim, and Rust, making it a versatile option for hosting game servers.

Shockbyte’s user-friendly custom control panel, which streamlines server management and facilitates mod installations, is especially advantageous for both beginners and experienced gamers.

This hosting provider’s commitment to high-quality game servers with minimal downtime ensures a dependable gaming experience. With server locations across North America, Europe, Singapore, and Australia, Shockbyte effectively reduces latency for a worldwide player base.

Shockbyte’s blend of affordability and comprehensive features positions it as a strong contender in game server hosting solutions.

Key Features

  • Servers tailored to various gaming needs, offering diverse RAM sizes and player slot options.
  • Global server locations for low-latency gaming experiences across continents.
  • A user-friendly control panel that simplifies server management for all technical skill levels.
  • Robust DDoS protection to ensure server security and consistent uptime.
  • Support for a variety of games, including ARK: SE, Rust, Valheim, Terraria, and more.
  • Customizable hosting plans to meet specific user requirements.

Drawbacks

  • Different pricing plans for each game may be confusing for some users.
  • Some users report hardware performance issues, notably lag on modded servers.
  • Instances of server instability, such as unexpected restarts and crashes, have been observed by customers.
  • Concerns regarding the refund policy and discrepancies in server location representations.

3. Host Havoc

Host Havoc's official homepage

Host Havoc Stats:

  • Best for These Games: Minecraft, Arma 3, DayZ
  • Price: starts from $5.00/month

Established in 2013, Host Havoc has earned a reputable position in the game server hosting industry. Offering plans for various popular games, including Minecraft, Conan Exiles, 7 Days to Die, DayZ, and Sons of the Forest, this provider is known for its versatility.

Host Havoc utilizes proprietary control panels for easy installation and management of game servers. The instant activation feature ensures that game servers go online just minutes after payment completion, providing a seamless setup experience.

What sets Host Havoc apart is its exceptional customer support, renowned for rapid response times and effective resolution of issues. Available 24/7 through tickets, live chat, and email, its support system is designed for convenience and efficiency.

Its game server hosting plans are competitively priced and include attractive features such as free DDoS protection and a 3-day money-back guarantee. For those requiring high performance and resources, Host Havoc also offers Ryzen-based VPS and dedicated server plans.

Key Features

  • Supports over 20 different games, serving a wide range of gaming communities.
  • High-quality hardware featuring NVME storage and AMD processors for superior server performance.
  • 99.9% uptime guarantee, ensuring minimal interruptions and reliable network availability.
  • Instant setup feature for quick deployment of game servers post-purchase.
  • Robust DDoS protection to safeguard against various types of cyber attacks.
  • User-friendly control panels, including a specialized Minecraft panel, for effortless server management.
  • Multiple server locations internationally to ensure low latency and improved gaming experience.

Drawbacks

  • Not all server locations are available for every supported game.
  • Performance issues are noted by some users, especially under heavy load or with high player slots.
  • The 3-day trial period may be insufficient for a thorough evaluation of the service.

4. Apex Hosting

Apex Hosting's official homepage

Apex Hosting Stats:

  • Best for These Games: Minecraft, ARK: Survival Ascended, Rust
  • Price: starts from $5.99/month

Apex Hosting is renowned for its specialized Minecraft server hosting, offering a variety of plans to suit different requirements. Known for its user-friendliness and excellent uptime, Apex Hosting delivers an accessible experience for Minecraft enthusiasts.

The service features a web-based Minecraft control panel that simplifies server setup and enables the installation of a wide range of mods and plugins on your own game server.

This platform caters well to both novices and experienced players, offering extensive documentation and guides. These resources cover fundamental server management, plugin and mod installation, and troubleshooting.

Apex Hosting’s global data center network ensures resource-rich plans at competitive prices, while its focus on uptime and reliable performance minimizes gameplay disruptions. Although it doesn’t provide a free domain name, it does allow users to create their subdomains, facilitating easier server access for players.

Key Features

  • Custom web-based control panel for simple game server management and monitoring.
  • Extensive customization options with mods and plugins specifically for Minecraft servers.
  • One-click modpack installations and easy options for changing server versions.
  • Infrastructure optimized for responsive and seamless gameplay.
  • Automated backups to safeguard against data loss from malware attacks or misconfigurations.
  • Scalable game server with options to upgrade resources as server needs grow.

Drawbacks

  • While outstanding for Minecraft hosting, the variety of options for other games is limited.
  • Lacks a flat pricing structure, potentially leading to higher recurring costs for monthly payments.

5. ScalaCube

Scalacube's official homepage

ScalaCube Stats:

  • Best for These Games: Minecraft, Hytale, Valheim, Project Zomboid
  • Price: starts at 0/month

ScalaCube presents itself as a versatile game server hosting provider, offering a range of plans tailored to different server sizes and requirements, particularly for Minecraft. Notably, it includes an entirely free plan without a player slot limit, which is ideal for service testing.

Known for its swift and reliable servers, ScalaCube boasts global server locations that contribute to ultra-low latency gameplay. It enhances security with robust DDoS protection and a web-based firewall, helping to safeguard servers against hacker attacks.

A standout feature of ScalaCube is its policy of unlimited traffic and slots, granting users freedom within the limits of their plan’s memory and disk space. It also provides custom Minecraft launchers, along with one-click installations for modpacks and plugins.

Further distinguishing itself, ScalaCube offers a user-friendly, unified control panel for managing various game servers. With over 2.4 million customers globally, its technical support is recognized for being approachable and professional.

Key Features

  • Scalable plans suitable for both small and large dedicated servers, accommodating diverse needs.
  • Custom Minecraft launcher available for an additional fee, enhancing the gaming experience.
  • Server monitoring dashboard for tracking performance metrics.
  • Unlimited traffic and slots, allowing flexible server management and usage.
  • Full FTP access for extensive gaming server customization.

Drawbacks

  • While offering global coverage, some continents may experience suboptimal latency.
  • Pricing may be higher than competitors, though the quality of service generally justifies the cost.
  • Misleading free domain name claim, as ScalaCube offers a free subdomain while actual domain names incur additional charges.

6. GameServers

GameServers' official homepage

GameServers Stats:

  • Best for These Games: Conan Exiles, Rust, Minecraft
  • Price: starts from $0.34/month

GameServers, while not supporting as extensive a range of games as some other hosting providers, specializes in hosting services for a variety of popular games. Known for its user-friendly custom control panels, this provider offers specialized panels for Minecraft and other multiplayer games designed to simplify server management.

One of GameServers’ key differentiators is the extensive network of data centers spread across six continents, including two in Africa. This global presence ensures low-latency connections for players around the world.

Additionally, GameServers supports over 200 mods for various games, significantly enhancing the customization and gaming experience. It also provides voice server hosting for platforms such as TeamSpeak, Ventrilo, and Mumble.

Notably, GameServers offers a unique feature of free game server hosting for three-hour sessions, perfect for short training matches or quick tournaments.

Key Features

  • McMyAdmin for Minecraft and a custom control panel for other games, both featuring robust plugin support.
  • Global data center presence in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
  • Over 200 mods for simple and extensive server customization.
  • A 5-day refund policy for customers who are not satisfied with the service.
  • High-quality hardware ensures smooth gameplay, particularly for demanding multiplayer gaming scenarios.

Drawbacks

  • Limited game support, currently hosting fewer than 20 game servers.
  • Lack of an explicit uptime guarantee on their official website, a potential concern for those seeking consistent server availability.
  • While customer support is available, there are reports of dissatisfaction among some users.

7. GTXGaming

GTXGaming's official homepage

GTXGaming Stats:

  • Best for These Games: ARK: Survival Evolved, 7 Days to Die, Atlas
  • Price: starts from $6.00/month

GTXGaming distinguishes itself in the game server hosting market with its extensive game support, strong server performance, and user-friendly interface. Catering to a diverse gaming community, GTXGaming offers a selection of over 100 games, including ARK, Valheim, Dead Matter, Minecraft, Rust, and Project Zomboid.

This game server hosting company is widely recognized for serving a broad spectrum of gamers, ranging from hardcore enthusiasts to large gaming communities and content creators. Its commitment to providing responsive and reliable customer support ensures swift resolution of technical issues.

A key feature of GTXGaming is its comprehensive mod support, which facilitates easy customization and integration across various games. The hosting provider’s infrastructure, backed by annually updated, high-quality hardware and a global network, promises low-latency gaming.

Another standout aspect is GTXGaming’s mobile control panel, which offers the convenience of managing servers on the move. Additionally, the abundance of blog posts and guides solidifies its reputation as a prominent game hosting provider.

Key Features

  • Wide range of supported games, over 100 titles, catering to different gaming tastes.
  • Yearly hardware updates to meet the evolving demands of game server hosting.
  • Optimized gaming network designed for low latency, featuring multiple 10GB fibers for enhanced redundancy and low ping.
  • Professional and attentive customer support.
  • Extensive mod support, easing the installation and management process.
  • User-friendly mobile control panel for on-the-go server management.

Drawbacks

  • Certain games are priced slightly higher than competing game server hosts.
  • Limited server location diversity, with no servers in South America and Africa.

8. PingPerfect

PingPerfect's official homepage

PingPerfect Stats:

  • Best for These Games: Space Engineers, Minecraft, Wreckfest, Path of Titans, Conan Exiles
  • Price: starts from $1.22/month

PingPerfect is a robust choice for hosting a variety of games thanks to its strong server performance and extensive game selection. The company offers powerful hardware and responsive customer support, positioning itself as a reliable provider in the game server hosting domain.

One of PingPerfect’s standout features is its competitive pricing across a wide range of games. It further enhances customer satisfaction by offering a 48-hour free trial for every game server, allowing potential users to test the service before committing.

PingPerfect is transparent about its hardware specifications, utilizing up to 64 GB RAM, 500 GB SSD storage, and processors with clock speeds up to 5 GHz. The provider also boasts up to 32 server locations globally, ranking it among the best game hosting servers with the most extensive data centers.

Additionally, PingPerfect employs an in-house backup system to prevent data loss. The company is prompt in adding new game API servers, demonstrating its commitment to staying current and responsive to user needs. Overall, PingPerfect is a top pick for those seeking reliable and user-friendly game server hosting.

Key Features

  • Supports over 175 different games and mods.
  • Responsive customer support, providing quick and effective solutions.
  • Advanced in-house backup system to mitigate data loss risks.
  • Facilitates easy game switching, allowing hassle-free transitions between games or mods.
  • Equipped with fast SSDs and high-speed processors for quick load times and seamless gameplay.

Drawbacks

  • Additional costs for specific server locations and hardware selections.
  • Some users have reported its custom game server control panel to be less intuitive than other platforms.
  • Performance concerns have been raised regarding dedicated hosting plans.
  • Only 24-hour refund policy, which might be inadequate for comprehensive service evaluation.

9. ScalaHosting

ScalaHosting's Minecraft hosting official page

ScalaHosting Stats:

  • Best for These Games: Minecraft
  • Price: starts from $61.95/month

ScalaHosting provides robust and scalable Minecraft hosting solutions, focusing on performance, security, and user convenience. It offers four distinct plans – Zombie, Slime, Guardian, and Giant – primarily differing in system resources and capabilities.

Partnering with Amazon AWS, ScalaHosting ensures the delivery of powerful cloud VPS servers tailored explicitly to Minecraft gaming needs. These servers are optimized for hosting games like Minecraft Java and Pocket Editions, accommodating a wide range of players.

In addition to the hosting plans, ScalaHosting includes free extra features like an advanced cybersecurity system and LiteSpeed web server, valued at $78.95. The service stands out for its educational approach, aiming to assist game server admins in understanding virtual private server management and cloud technology.

ScalaHosting caters to more commercial uses, such as reselling, extensive gaming communities, and hosting esports tournaments. A strong emphasis on performance and security characterizes this service.

Key Features:

  • Supports multiple Minecraft editions, including Java and Pocket Editions.
  • BungeeCord support and customizable plugin ports for server functionality and personalization.
  • Automatic world check and repair to maintain a stable and efficient Minecraft environment.
  • Free domain and dedicated IP address for a personalized hosting experience.
  • 1 Gbps uplink ports ensuring fast connections and minimal latency.
  • Comprehensive automatic backups, with additional backup options for data security.

Drawbacks

  • The pricing of hosting plans is considerably higher compared to other game hosting services.
  • Limited to hosting Minecraft, with no support for other games.

10. ServerBlend

ServerBlend's official page

ServerBlend Stats:

  • Best for These Games: ARK: Survival Evolved, Space Engineers, Rust, ARMA 3
  • Price: starts from $4.00/month

Initially known as HostASpace, ServerBlend has established itself as a well-known game hosting company since 2014. It is recognized for its impressive range of supported games and high-quality service. ServerBlend has built a strong reputation in the gaming community for its reliable servers and customer-focused approach.

As one of the best VPS for gaming servers, ServerBlend boasts reliable CPUs, fast NVMe storage, and durable DDR4 RAM. It also features a fast, DDoS-protected network, ensuring a lag-free gaming experience.

A standout attribute of ServerBlend is its commitment to affordability. The company offers a price match guarantee. If customers find a comparable hosting service at a lower price, ServerBlend will either adjust its price or credit the user with one month of free service.

Another notable feature is the facility for easy game switching, allowing users to switch between game servers at no additional cost. Furthermore, ServerBlend utilizes a custom TCAdmin-based control panel and operates a substantial number of servers, primarily focusing on Europe, North America, and Australia.

Key Features

  • Specialized control panels for games like Space Engineers, enhancing management ease.
  • High-performance processors and speedy storage for optimal gaming experiences.
  • Renowned for excellent customer support, with a responsive and helpful support team.
  • Price match guarantee to ensure competitive pricing in the market.
  • 7-day satisfaction program with a refund policy for customer assurance.

Drawbacks

  • While offering a diverse game selection, it may not be as extensive as that of some other hosting providers.
  • Pricing for specific dedicated game servers can be slightly higher compared to those of competitors.

Best Game Server Hosting Comparative Analysis

Choosing the right hosting provider for game servers can be challenging, given the numerous options available. To help you make an informed decision, here is a comparison of the best game server providers:

Hosting ProviderPerformancePrice (Starting Point)Ease of UseGame CompatibilityUnique FeaturesCustomer Service
HostingerHigh$6.99/monthUser-friendlyBroadVPS AI AssistantHighly responsive
ShockbyteModerate$2.50/monthUser-friendlyBroadCustomizable plansMixed reviews
Host HavocModerate$5.00/monthUser-friendlyBroadInstant server setupHighly responsive
Apex HostingHigh$5.99/monthUser-friendlyLimitedOne-click modpack installationsResponsive
ScalaCubeHigh0/monthUser-friendlyBroadServer monitoring dashboardMixed reviews
GameServersModerate$0.34/monthUser-friendlyLimitedServers across six continentsLimited
GTXGamingHigh$6.00/monthUser-friendlyBroadMobile control panelResponsive
PingPerfectModerate$1.22/monthModerateBroad48-hour free trialResponsive
ScalaHostingHigh$61.95/monthComplexMinecraft onlyBungeeCord supportResponsive
ServerBlendHigh$4.00/monthUser-friendlyLimitedPrice match guaranteeHighly responsive

Hostinger’s Minecraft hosting plans excel in performance, providing a high-quality, reliable gaming experience. With competitive pricing starting at $6.99/month, Hostinger offers excellent value for the features provided.

Our services are noted for their user-friendliness, making server setup and management straightforward for users at all levels. Despite the focus on Minecraft, Hostinger’s plans allow users to install a variety of games with dedicated server support, including ARK, Counter-Strike, and Call of Duty series.

Selecting a game server to install on Hostinger's game panel

Hostinger also stands out in customer service. Our support team is renowned for its responsiveness and effectiveness in addressing user concerns, ensuring peace of mind and reliable support for our customers.

Combining reliable performance, ease of use, broad game compatibility, a unique AI assistance feature, and strong customer support, Hostinger is a top contender as the best server for game hosting in the market.

Conclusion

After thoroughly examining various game hosting companies, it’s clear that several excellent choices are available, each catering to different needs and preferences.

Whether it’s for Minecraft game servers or hosting multiple games, these providers offer a range of dedicated game hosting solutions that stand out for their performance, ease of use, and customer support.

Among the options, here are our top picks:

  1. Hostinger – offers a comprehensive game hosting experience with robust performance, innovative features, and exceptional customer service.
  2. ScalaCube – ideal for those seeking versatility in managing game servers, featuring a free plan option and extensive mod support.
  3. GTXGaming – an excellent choice for hosting a wide range of games, providing yearly hardware updates and a unique mobile control panel.

Each provider brings something unique to the table. Regardless of your specific needs and preferences, there is a suitable managed game server hosting option available for everyone.

Best Game Server Hosting FAQ

This section will answer the most common questions about the best game server hosting.

What Is a Game Server?

A game server is either a dedicated or a shared server used to host multiplayer video games. These high-performance gaming servers manage and synchronize game data, ensuring smooth, consistent gameplay for players connected over a network.

How Much Does a Dedicated Gaming Server Cost?

The cost of a dedicated gaming server can vary widely, ranging from less than $1 to over $60/month, depending on the features and specifications offered. Some dedicated game hosting providers offer customizable options, allowing users to tailor their servers to specific gaming requirements and player counts.

What to Look For When Choosing a Game Server Host?

When choosing a game server host, consider the server performance, reliability, and uptime – all critical for hosting a successful multiplayer game. The best dedicated game server should offer low latency, high-speed connections, adequate bandwidth, modding capabilities, and diverse server locations to optimize the overall gaming experience.

Author
The author

Ariffud Muhammad

Ariffud is a Technical Content Writer with an educational background in Informatics. He has extensive expertise in Linux and VPS, authoring over 200 articles on server management and web development. Follow him on LinkedIn.