# Best Arma 3 server hosting: how to choose

> What a good Arma 3 host gets right: Bohemia’s rules, mods with their keys, a fast core for the AI and missions that keep their progress. Where we fall short.

By the Wilderack Crew. Last reviewed 2026-11-13.

_Arma 3 is a trademark of Bohemia Interactive a.s. Wilderack is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bohemia Interactive a.s._

An Arma 3 server spends its time on AI, so one fast CPU core matters more than a big plan, and a modded group lives or dies by its mod list and keys. Bohemia’s rules on renting and charging players come first. Here is what to check before you pay anyone, us included.

**A note before you read:** Wilderack sells Arma 3 servers, so this is a guide from a host, not a neutral review. Every fact about Arma 3 links the guide it comes from, and those guides cite Bohemia Interactive's own documentation. We name no other hosts, and one section says where we fall short.

## Three ways to run a Arma 3 server

### Play on a public server

Pick a server in the Arma 3 Launcher or the in-game server browser.

- Cost: Free
- Friends can play without you: Always, run by its owner
- Who can join: Anyone who finds it and loads the same mods
- What you do: None, but the owner picks the missions, mods and rules

### Run the dedicated server yourself

Bohemia’s dedicated server installs from Steam with a signed-in Steam account, and runs on Windows or Linux.

- Cost: Free with the game, plus a computer that stays on
- Friends can play without you: While that computer is on
- Who can join: Anyone who finds it in the browser, once your router forwards the ports
- What you do: Missions, mods, keys, updates and backups are yours

### Rent a server

A dedicated Arma 3 server in a data center, with a panel to run it.

- Cost: From $17.99 a month, or $26.99 a month for the Sapling 6 GB always-on we recommend
- Friends can play without you: Always on
- Who can join: From the Arma 3 Launcher or the in-game server browser, or with Direct Connect and your address and port
- What you do: None to install. Updates, backups and DDoS protection are handled

## What to look for in a Arma 3 host

The checks that matter for every game, from ping to refunds: https://wilderack.com/best-game-server-hosting/

### Bohemia’s OK to rent servers

Bohemia’s server license is for personal use and rules out renting servers, and the server only downloads with a signed-in Steam account, which we never use. Owners who charge players must also register with Bohemia. Details: https://wilderack.com/wiki/arma-3/getting-started/

On Wilderack (Not yet): We open Arma 3 only once Bohemia gives us its OK and a way to download the server. Until then, Arma 3 orders stay closed.

### Mods with their keys

Mods go on the server’s start line, each with its .bikey in the keys folder, and every player loads the same set. On a Linux server, mod folders need lowercase names. Details: https://wilderack.com/wiki/arma-3/mods/

On Wilderack (With a catch): Upload mod folders through Files or SFTP and list them in Settings, with a separate list for server-only mods. Workshop downloads need an owner’s Steam login, which we never use.

### A fast core for the AI

The server runs AI on one main thread, so active AI decides how smooth a mission is. Server FPS under 20 means late AI and jumping vehicles. Details: https://wilderack.com/wiki/arma-3/performance/

On Wilderack (With a catch): Plans are sold by RAM, not player slots. We recommend Sapling 6 GB always-on, and Sprout 4 GB always-on suits a small group. We’ll measure big modded missions on our machines before we open.

### Missions that keep their progress

Campaigns like Antistasi and Liberation save to the server’s profile, in a .vars.Arma3Profile file. Lose it and the campaign starts over. Details: https://wilderack.com/wiki/arma-3/backups/

On Wilderack (Yes): Backups every 10 minutes while the server runs and before every risky step, with the profile, missions, mods and keys in each one.

### Signatures and BattlEye

With signature checks on, players with changed or extra mods are kicked, and BattlEye keeps cheats out. Both matter on a public server. Details: https://wilderack.com/wiki/arma-3/config-reference/

On Wilderack (Yes): Both are switches in Settings, on by default, and BattlEye’s RCon port and password are written for you.

### A server that stays listed

Players find Arma 3 servers in the Launcher and the in-game browser, and a server that isn’t running drops out of both. Details: https://wilderack.com/wiki/arma-3/how-to-connect/

On Wilderack (Yes): Arma 3 servers stay on all the time, on always-on plans.

## What a cheap Arma 3 server costs

| Group | Plan | Monthly | 3-day pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 players | Sprout 4 GB always-on | $17.99 | $3.65 |
| Up to 40 players | Sapling 6 GB always-on (recommended) | $26.99 | $5.45 |
| Up to 64 players, modded | Grove 8 GB always-on | $35.99 | $7.25 |
| Up to 100 players, modded | Grove 12 GB always-on | $53.99 | $10.85 |

Monthly plans renew at the price shown and can be canceled any time. A 3-day pass is a one-time payment that doesn't renew. Prices in US dollars + applicable taxes.

A cheap Arma 3 server is a small one: Sprout 4 GB always-on runs a small group on a light mission. A modded group with ACE, RHS or CUP needs Sapling 6 GB always-on or more, and the AI count decides the rest.

## Where Wilderack falls short

- Arma 3 orders aren’t open yet. Bohemia's server license is for personal use and rules out renting Arma 3 servers or using them commercially, and its server only downloads with a signed-in Steam account, which we never use. Arma 3 opens on Wilderack once Bohemia gives us its written OK and a way to download the server.
- We can’t download Workshop mods for you, because that needs a Steam login that owns Arma 3. You upload your mod folders yourself.
- We don’t run a headless client yet. We’ll check whether one can run beside the server before Arma 3 opens.
- No region is open yet: US East and Europe are coming soon. Groups in Asia, Oceania or South America will have higher ping than with a host nearby.
- We are new, so we can’t show you years of uptime yet. A 3-day pass is the cheap way to try us first.

## Questions and answers

### How much RAM does an Arma 3 server need?

At least 4 GB for a small group. 6 GB suits most missions with up to 40 players, and big mod sets like ACE, RHS and CUP do best on 8 GB or more.

### Can I charge players on an Arma 3 server?

Only within Bohemia’s server monetization rules: the server must be registered and approved by Bohemia first. Read Bohemia’s monetization page before you take any money, donations included.

### Do players need the server’s mods?

Yes, for every mod the server runs with -mod, at the same version. Players load them in the Arma 3 Launcher. Server-only mods don’t need to be on their side.

## Sources

- [Arma 3: Dedicated Server](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Dedicated_Server), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki
- [Arma 3: Server Config File](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Server_Config_File), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki
- [Multiplayer Server Commands](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Multiplayer_Server_Commands), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki
- [Arma 3 server monetization](https://www.bohemia.net/en/monetization/arma3), Bohemia Interactive
- [Arma 3: Startup Parameters](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Startup_Parameters), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki
- [Arma 3 Workshop](https://steamcommunity.com/app/107410/workshop/), Steam
- [Arma 3: Basic Server Config File](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Basic_Server_Config_File), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki
- [Arma 3: Headless Client](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Headless_Client), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki
- [profileNamespace](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/profileNamespace), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki

Plans and prices: https://wilderack.com/arma-3-server-hosting/

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