How renting a game server works
You rent the server, not the game: everyone still plays on their own copy. The host runs the server software on a machine in a data center, so the world stays up when your own computer is off. Here is how it goes on Wilderack.
- Pick your game. 10 of our 21 games can be ordered today.
- Pick a plan by memory (RAM). Every plan card says how many players it suits, and one is marked Recommended for that game.
- Pick a region close to most of your players. US East (New Jersey, near New York City) and Europe (Frankfurt, Germany) are open now.
- Choose a name for your address, like
castle.tosk.gg. - Pay, and the server installs the game on its first start.
- Share the address. Friends join from the game, and you run the server from a panel that works on any screen.
What every rented server comes with
Every plan gets every feature. The size of the plan only changes how much memory your world has.
- Integrated file manager. Edit configs, upload worlds and manage mods right in your browser.
- Web and SFTP file access. Use the browser or your favorite SFTP app, whichever you like.
- Live server console. Watch the log stream in real time and run commands as you play.
- Automate your tasks. Schedule restarts, backups, updates and commands so they run on their own.
- Free .gg address. A short address like castle.tosk.gg to share with friends, instead of a string of numbers.
- One-tap mods and plugins. Browse, install and update mods and plugins in one tap. Whole modpacks too.
- Save and swap games. Switch your server to another game whenever you want, with no swap fees. Your old world is saved.
- DDoS protection. Attacks are filtered at our gateway before they ever reach your server.
- Naps when empty, wakes when you join. Your server sleeps when nobody is online and wakes the moment a friend connects. That is how we keep prices low.
- Daily off-site backups. Worlds are copied to separate storage every day, with one-click restore.
- Fast NVMe storage. Worlds load quickly and autosaves never stall the game.
- US East and Europe. Pick the region closest to your friends for the lowest ping.
What it costs to rent a server for each game
The price depends on the game, because some games need far more memory than others. These are the starting price and the plan we recommend for each one.
| Game | From | Plan we recommend |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | $6.49 a month | Sprout 4 GB |
| Rust | $35.99 a month | Grove 12 GBAlways on |
| Enshrouded | $17.99 a month | Grove 8 GB |
| Project Zomboid | $23.99 a month | Grove 10 GB |
| Terraria | $6.49 a month | Seed 2 GB |
| Garry's Mod | $6.49 a month | Sprout 4 GB |
| Satisfactory | $23.99 a month | Grove 12 GB |
| Factorio | $6.49 a month | Sprout 4 GB |
| Windrose | $23.99 a month | Grove 12 GB |
| Romestead | $11.99 a month | Sprout 4 GB |
| Hytale | Coming soon | – |
| Palworld | Coming soon | – |
| Valheim | Coming soon | – |
| ARK: Survival Ascended | Coming soon | – |
| 7 Days to Die | Coming soon | – |
| FiveM | Coming soon | – |
| Farming Simulator 25 | Coming soon | – |
| WARDOGS | Coming soon | – |
| Squad | Coming soon | – |
| Arma 3 | Coming soon | – |
| Conan Exiles | Coming soon | – |
Prices in US dollars + applicable taxes. Monthly plans renew at the price shown, and you can cancel any time. Games marked Always on stay on the public server list around the clock, which is why they cost more. Want it cheaper? Read how to keep a server cheap.
Ways to pay
- Monthly. Renews each month at the price shown. Cancel any time.
- Every 3 months or yearly. Saves at least 10% or 15% against monthly, on plans that nap. Always-on plans cost the same each month however you pay.
- A 3-day pass. One payment, from $1.35, that never renews. Good for a weekend, an event or trying a game first.
- Your first order. 20% off your first order, on a plan or a pass. Then the normal price. Cancel any time.
Renting or hosting it yourself
You don’t always need to rent. Many games let one player host from the game, and most offer free server software you can run at home.
| Question | Host from the game | Run it at home | Rent a server |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free, plus a computer that stays on | From $6.49 a month |
| Friends can play without you | No, only while the host plays | While that computer is on | Yes, any time |
| Who can join | Friends you invite | Anyone with the address, once your router forwards the port | Anyone with the address |
| What you do | Nothing, but the host’s computer runs the world for everyone | Install, update, back up and fix it yourself | Pick your settings. Updates, backups and DDoS protection are handled |
Heard “dedicated server” and not sure what it means? Dedicated game server hosting explains it.
What to check before you rent, anywhere
- Plans sized by memory. RAM decides how many players and mods a server can take. A plan sold by player slots hides that, so check the memory too.
- A region near your players. The farther the server, the higher everyone’s ping. Pick a host with a location close to most of your group.
- The renewal price. A cheap first month means little if the second costs double. Our plan cards show the normal price next to every deal.
- Backups you can restore yourself. Look for automatic backups you can restore and download from the panel, without a support ticket.
- Room to change your mind. Groups move on to new games. Check whether switching games means a fee or a new order. On Wilderack it’s free, and your old world is saved.
Every check in more detail, with what we do about each: how to choose a game server host.
Each game adds its own things to check, like wipe days for Rust or the server list for console players. We wrote a buyer’s guide for each:
- Best Minecraft server hosting: how to choose
- Best Rust server hosting: how to choose
- Best Enshrouded server hosting: how to choose
- Best Project Zomboid server hosting: how to choose
- Best Terraria server hosting: how to choose
- Best Garry’s Mod server hosting: how to choose
- Best Satisfactory server hosting: how to choose
- Best Factorio server hosting: how to choose
- Best Windrose server hosting: how to choose
- Best Romestead server hosting: how to choose
- Best Hytale server hosting: how to choose
- Best Palworld server hosting: how to choose
- Best Valheim server hosting: how to choose
- Best ARK server hosting: how to choose
- Best 7 Days to Die server hosting: how to choose
- Best FiveM server hosting: how to choose
- Best Farming Simulator 25 server hosting: how to choose
- Best WARDOGS server hosting: how to choose
- Best Squad server hosting: how to choose
- Best Arma 3 server hosting: how to choose
- Best Conan Exiles server hosting: how to choose
Questions
How much does it cost to rent a game server?
From $6.49 a month for Factorio. Games that need more memory cost more: Rust starts at $35.99 a month. Every game’s page lists all its plans.
Can I rent a game server for just a weekend?
Yes. A 3-day pass is one payment, from $1.35, that never renews.
Can I switch my rented server to another game?
Yes, as often as you like, with no swap fee. Your old world is saved for when you come back.
Do I need to keep my computer on?
No. The server runs in our data center, so friends can play while your computer is off.
Where are the servers?
US East (New Jersey, near New York City) and Europe (Frankfurt, Germany) are open now. You pick the region when you order, so choose the one closest to most of your players.