10 Best ARK Server Hosting 2026 (ASA & ASE) From $14.99

Your tribe just spent three nights building a base on The Island. Then the friend who hosts the game shuts down their PC, the world goes offline and half your tamed dinos starve. That is usually the moment ARK players start looking for a proper server.

ARK server hosting gives your world a dedicated machine that stays online 24/7, with enough RAM for big maps and mods, plus clusters, crossplay and backups. The catch is that ARK: Survival Ascended and the original ARK: Survival Evolved need different setups, and many hosts only support one of them.

So we compared the 10 best ARK server hosting providers on price, RAM, ASA and ASE support, mods, clusters, locations and refund policies, using the plans on each provider’s official website. Let’s dive in!

What Is ARK Server Hosting?

ARK server hosting is a service that runs your own dedicated server for ARK: Survival Ascended or ARK: Survival Evolved in a data center, so your world stays online 24/7 even when nobody is playing. You choose the map, rates, mods and rules, and your friends join through the in-game server browser or the server IP.

ARK is a survival game by Studio Wildcard (published with Snail Games) where players tame dinosaurs, build bases and fight to survive. It is also one of the heaviest games to host: a single map can use 10GB of RAM or more, and mods and big tribes push that higher. That is why a cheap VPS or your home PC usually struggles, and a host built for ARK makes such a difference.

ARK: Survival Ascended vs Survival Evolved: Which Server Do You Need?

ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA) is the Unreal Engine 5 remake of the game, released in October 2023. ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE) is the original 2017 version, which still has a large modded community. The server you rent must match the game your players own:

Feature	ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA)	ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE)
Engine	Unreal Engine 5	Unreal Engine 4
Crossplay	Steam, Xbox Series X|S and PS5 (host dependent)	Steam and Epic Games (PC only)
Mods	CurseForge	Steam Workshop
Typical server RAM	12GB to 16GB+ per map	8GB to 12GB per map
Hosts in this list	GravelHost, Apex Hosting, RocketNode, Survival Servers	ScalaCube, Host Havoc, DatHost, BisectHosting, Shockbyte, G-Portal

Note: An ASE server cannot be joined from ASA, and the other way around. If your group plays ARK: Survival Ascended, pick an ASA host. For an ASA-only shortlist, see our guide to the best ARK: Survival Ascended server hosting.

10 Best ARK Server Hosting Providers in 2026

We have shortlisted the 10 best ARK server hosting providers for both ARK: Survival Ascended and ARK: Survival Evolved, from budget picks to fully managed ARK server hosting. Here’s the quick list:

⏰ TL;DR
1. GravelHost (ASA): Best Budget ARK: Survival Ascended Server
2. ScalaCube (ASE): Best Slot-Based ARK: Survival Evolved Hosting
3. Apex Hosting (ASA): Best Managed ARK: Survival Ascended Hosting
4. Host Havoc (ASE): Best for ARK Clusters
5. DatHost (ASE): Best for Worldwide Locations
6. BisectHosting (ASE): Best for Multi-Game Communities
7. RocketNode (ASA): Best Unlimited-Slot ASA Hosting
8. Shockbyte (ASE): Cheapest Monthly ARK: Survival Evolved Server
9. Survival Servers (ASA): Best for ASA Crossplay (PC, Xbox & PS5)
10. G-Portal (ASE): Best Official ARK: Survival Evolved Partner

1. GravelHost: Best Budget ARK: Survival Ascended Server

GravelHost takes the top spot for value. Its ARK: Survival Ascended plans are game VPS servers (a virtual private server with its own reserved RAM and CPU), so you get far more memory for your money than most managed hosts offer.

Every tier includes NVMe storage, unlimited player slots, server clustering, rollbacks, scheduled tasks, an easy mod management tool, a built-in firewall manager and full FTP access. GravelHost also keeps your server data for three years, so your tribe can come back to its world anytime.

Plans start at $24/month for 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which works out to just $1.50 per GB. GravelHost runs 12 data centers across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, offers a 72-hour money-back policy and gives 24/7 support on Discord. Keep in mind that GravelHost provides the server only, so you install and run the ARK: Survival Ascended software yourself.

Promo: Use coupon code GOOGIEHOST to get up to 40% off GravelHost ARK hosting plans.

Key Specification

• 16GB to 28GB DDR4 RAM: ASA tiers start at 16GB, a safe starting point for most maps, and scale to 28GB for heavily modded worlds.
• Unlimited Slots & NVMe: There is no player cap, and NVMe storage keeps world saves and loading fast.
• Clustering & Rollbacks: Link servers into a cluster for cross-map transfers and roll back your world if something breaks.
• Easy Mod Management: Install and manage mods from the panel instead of editing files by hand.
• 72-Hour Money-Back Policy: Test your setup with your tribe and ask for a refund within 72 hours if it is not right.

Pricing

GravelHost sells ARK: Survival Ascended as RAM-based VPS tiers with unlimited slots, billed monthly.

Plan	RAM	Price
Tier 1	16GB DDR4	$24.00/mo
Tier 2	20GB DDR4	$30.00/mo
Tier 3	24GB DDR4	$36.00/mo
Tier 4	28GB DDR4	$42.00/mo

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2. ScalaCube: Best Slot-Based ARK: Survival Evolved Hosting

ScalaCube is a strong pick for ARK: Survival Evolved players who want simple pricing. You choose how many player slots you need, from 20 to 120, and your server is ready in about 10 minutes.

Its custom control panel includes a web file manager and one-click Steam Workshop mod installs, and every server comes with full FTP access, DDoS protection and a free domain. Steam and Epic Games players can join the same server, and clustering is supported, though each server in a cluster needs a dedicated IP.

Plans start at $19/month for 20 slots and top out at $48/month for 120 slots, and ScalaCube is currently taking 20% off the first month. It has 14 locations, including India and Singapore, and every order is covered by a 7-day money-back guarantee.

Promo: Get 20% off your first month.

Read more: Our full ScalaCube review covers its plans, features and support in detail.

Key Specification

• Slot-Based Plans: Pick 20 to 120 player slots in steps of 10, so you only pay for the tribe size you need.
• 14 Global Locations: Servers in the USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Poland, Finland, Brazil, Singapore, India and Australia.
• One-Click Workshop Mods: Install Steam Workshop mods from the panel in one click, with full FTP access for custom files.
• Steam & Epic Crossplay: Players on Steam (PC) and the Epic Games Store can play on the same ARK server.
• 7-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Try the server for a week and get your money back if it is not the right fit.

Pricing

ScalaCube prices ARK: Survival Evolved by player slots, billed monthly. A 20% discount currently applies to the first month.

Player Slots	Monthly Price	First Month (20% Off)
20 slots	$19.00/mo	$15.20
30 slots	$24.00/mo	$19.20
50 slots	$33.00/mo	$26.40
100 slots	$44.00/mo	$35.20
120 slots	$48.00/mo	$38.40

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3. Apex Hosting: Best Managed ARK: Survival Ascended Hosting

Apex Hosting is one of the oldest names in game server hosting, and its ARK: Survival Ascended servers are fully managed. Your server goes online in minutes, updates itself automatically and comes with a web panel you can use from your phone or computer.

Every plan includes modpack support, automatic backups, DDoS protection, full FTP file access and a free subdomain. For big communities, the EX Series 16GB plan adds 4 dedicated vCores on a Ryzen CPU running at up to 4.8 GHz, premium support and a free dedicated IP.

Plans start at $29.24 for the first month with 12GB RAM, then $38.99/month, and quarterly billing saves 10%. Apex offers 24/7 live chat and ticket support, and code APEX25 takes 25% off your first order.

Promo: Use code APEX25 for 25% off your first order.

Read more: Our full Apex Hosting review covers its plans, features and support in detail.

Key Specification

• Fully Managed ASA Servers: Apex installs, updates and monitors ARK: Survival Ascended for you, so you just change settings and play.
• EX Series Ryzen Performance: The EX Series plan gives you 4 dedicated vCores at up to 4.8 GHz, NVMe storage and a free dedicated IP.
• Modpacks & Automatic Backups: Install mods and modpacks from the panel, with automatic backups protecting your world.
• Full FTP & Free Subdomain: Upload saves and configs over FTP and share an easy subdomain instead of an IP address.
• 24/7 Live Chat Support: Live chat and tickets are available around the clock if your server needs help.

Pricing

Apex Hosting sells ARK: Survival Ascended by RAM. The first month is discounted, then the recurring price applies.

RAM	First Month	Recurring Price
12GB	$29.24	$38.99/mo
16GB (EX Series)	$53.99	$71.99/mo
32GB	$77.99	$103.99/mo

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4. Host Havoc: Best for ARK Clusters

Host Havoc is a great choice for ARK tribes that run several maps together. Clustering (linking servers so survivors, items and dinos can transfer between maps) is automatic and free, even between servers in different locations.

Its modified TCAdmin control panel gives you a web console, file manager, log viewer, one-click Steam Workshop installer (including collections), offsite backups and easy restores. Host Havoc owns and runs its own hardware with Xeon and Ryzen CPUs, DDR4 and DDR5 RAM and NVMe SSDs, and it supports ARK API plugins too.

Plans start at $15/month for 30 slots and scale up to 100 slots. You can host in 14 cities across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, and new orders get a 72-hour satisfaction guarantee. At the time of writing, code FALL saves 10% on new services for life.

Read more: Our full Host Havoc review covers its plans, features and support in detail.

Key Specification

• Free Cross-Location Clustering: Link maps into a cluster at no extra cost, even if the servers run in different cities.
• TCAdmin Panel & Offsite Backups: Manage the server from a web console with automated world backups and easy restores.
• One-Click Workshop Installer: Install single Steam Workshop mods or whole collections in one click.
• Own Hardware & NVMe: Xeon and Ryzen CPUs, DDR4/DDR5 RAM, NVMe SSDs and up to 10 Gbps uplinks.
• 72-Hour Satisfaction Guarantee: New customers can request a refund within 72 hours of server creation on their first order.

Pricing

Host Havoc prices ARK: Survival Evolved by player slots, from 30 to 100 slots in steps of 5.

Player Slots	Price	Notes
30 slots	$15.00/mo	Starting plan
35 to 100 slots	Scales by slot count	Pick slots in the configurator
Genesis 2 / Lost Island	16GB RAM required	Choose a bigger plan for these maps

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5. DatHost: Best for Worldwide Locations

DatHost keeps ARK hosting simple: there is one plan, and everyone gets the same server. You get unlimited player slots, 30GB of NVMe storage and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X-class processors, so you never have to guess which tier you need.

Mods install in one click from the Steam Workshop by ID and update automatically, ArkAPI plugins are supported, clustering can be requested from the panel, and backups run automatically every day. Steam and Epic players can play together, and game updates are applied within 15 minutes of release.

The plan costs €14.90/month, €8.90/month on 6-month billing or just €6.90/month on yearly billing. DatHost has locations across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, including Mumbai, Singapore and Sydney, and every order has a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Promo: Save over 50% with yearly billing (€6.90/mo instead of €14.90/mo), still covered by the 14-day money-back guarantee.

Key Specification

• One Plan, Unlimited Slots: Every customer gets the same server with unlimited player slots and 30GB of NVMe storage.
• Ryzen 9 7950X-Class CPUs: Fast modern processors with high single-core speed, which ARK relies on heavily.
• Auto-Updating Workshop Mods: Add Steam Workshop mods by ID in one click, and they update automatically.
• 30+ Locations Worldwide: Host close to your players in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East or Africa.
• 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Test DatHost for two weeks and get a refund if it does not suit your tribe.

Pricing

DatHost has a single ARK: Survival Evolved plan. Longer billing lowers the monthly price.

Billing	Price per Month	Billed
Monthly	€14.90/mo	€14.90
6 months	€8.90/mo	€53.40
Yearly	€6.90/mo	€82.80

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6. BisectHosting: Best for Multi-Game Communities

BisectHosting is a good fit for gaming communities that play more than one game. Its BisectOne plans come with ARK: Survival Evolved pre-installed, but the same server can switch to any of 110+ other games whenever your group wants a change.

For ARK, you get one-click server clustering (share items and dinos across servers), an integrated Steam Workshop mod installer, automatic world updates, a built-in config editor and an Instance Manager to save and swap server setups. Every server includes DDoS protection, instant setup and 3 days of free backups you can schedule and download.

Pricing is RAM-based at $2.99 per GB, starting at $29.99/month for 10GB, with up to 20% off on annual billing. You can host in 21 locations and switch for free, and support is available 24/7/365 by live chat and tickets, with an average reply time of about 15 minutes.

Key Specification

• One-Click Clustering: Link ARK servers in one click so your tribe can move items and dinos between maps.
• Integrated Workshop Installer: Browse and install Steam Workshop mods right from the Starbase control panel.
• BisectOne Game Swapping: Your plan supports 110+ games, so you can switch away from ARK and back anytime.
• 21 Locations, Free Switching: Pick from 21 worldwide locations and move your server for free if your players change.
• 24/7/365 Live Chat: Get help anytime through live chat or tickets from experienced game server staff.

Pricing

BisectHosting prices ARK: Survival Evolved by RAM at $2.99 per GB monthly, with discounts for longer billing.

RAM	Recommended For	Price
10GB	1–25 players, The Island	$29.99/mo
14GB	26–50 players, DLC maps	$41.99/mo
16GB	51–70 players, modded maps	$47.99/mo

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7. RocketNode: Best Unlimited-Slot ASA Hosting

RocketNode added ARK: Survival Ascended hosting in 2025, and every plan comes with unlimited player slots. You pay for RAM, not players, so your tribe can grow without hitting an artificial cap.

Plans run on dedicated Ryzen 5950X hardware with 125GB of NVMe storage, and you manage everything from RocketNode’s Apollo Panel, which lets you install, remove and configure mods. Every server includes multi-layer DDoS protection, instant setup, 3 days of free backups and free migration from your old host.

Plans start at $36/month for 12GB RAM and go up to $96/month for 32GB. If you want hands-off help, the Game Management add-on ($20/month) gets RocketNode’s team to install mods and upload maps for you, and a dedicated IP costs $6/month.

Key Specification

• Unlimited Player Slots: Every plan is priced by RAM, with no limit on how many players can join.
• Ryzen 5950X & 125GB NVMe: High-clock Ryzen CPUs and plenty of NVMe space for large ASA saves and mods.
• Apollo Panel with Mod Support: Install, remove and configure ARK: Survival Ascended mods from the panel.
• Multi-Layer DDoS Protection: Layer 3 to 7 protection with automatic mitigation keeps your server online.
• Free Server Migration: Moving from another host? RocketNode transfers your server for free after you order.

Pricing

RocketNode sells ARK: Survival Ascended by RAM, with unlimited slots on every plan.

RAM	Best For	Price
12GB	Small groups, light mods	$36.00/mo
16GB	10 to 20 players, PvP maps	$48.00/mo
24GB	Public servers with mods	$72.00/mo
32GB	Large communities, complex mods	$96.00/mo

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8. Shockbyte: Cheapest Monthly ARK: Survival Evolved Server

Shockbyte is the cheapest way on this list to get a monthly ARK server. Its entry Raptor plan gives you 30 player slots and 10GB RAM for $14.99/month, which is plenty for a small tribe on The Island.

Every plan includes instant setup, an instant mod installer with Steam Workshop and ARK Server Manager support, PC crossplay between Steam and Epic, automatic updates, automatic backups and DDoS protection. Shockbyte has also launched a new control panel, and its knowledgebase and video tutorials cover basics like installing mods and setting a server password.

Plans range from $14.99 to $49.99/month, with 10% off quarterly and 25% off annual billing. Shockbyte promises 99.9% uptime and offers a 72-hour self-serve refund, but Xbox players are not supported.

Read more: Our full Shockbyte review covers its plans, features and support in detail.

Key Specification

• Budget Plans with 10GB+ RAM: Even the $14.99 plan includes 10GB RAM and 30 player slots.
• Instant Mod Installer: Add Steam Workshop mods in a few clicks, with ARK Server Manager supported too.
• PC Crossplay: Steam and Epic Games players can join the same ARK: Survival Evolved server.
• Automatic Backups & Updates: Your world is backed up automatically and the server stays on the latest version.
• 72-Hour Self-Serve Refund: Not happy? Request a refund yourself within 72 hours, without waiting on support.

Pricing

Shockbyte sells ARK: Survival Evolved as fixed plans by player count, with discounts for quarterly and annual billing.

Plan	Players & RAM	Price
Raptor	30 players, 10GB RAM	$14.99/mo
Sabertooth	70 players, 12GB RAM	$29.99/mo
Rex	125+ players, 16GB+ RAM	$49.99/mo

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9. Survival Servers: Best for ASA Crossplay (PC, Xbox & PS5)

Survival Servers is the most ARK-focused host on this list. Its ARK: Survival Ascended servers support full crossplay, so friends on Steam, Xbox Series X|S (Game Pass) and PlayStation 5 can all join the same server through the in-game unofficial server browser.

All 10 official maps, including The Island, Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, Astraeos and Lost Colony, switch in one click, and each map keeps its own save. CurseForge mods and maps install and update automatically, cluster servers let you transfer survivors, items and dinos between worlds, and the panel adds a world map, tribe log, dino companion and a config tool with hundreds of settings.

Plans start at $15.53/month for 10 slots, or $22/month for 20 slots, and you can test a 3-day server for $4.66. Code ASCENDED25 takes 25% off your first month. Servers run in Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, New York, France, Germany and Singapore, and you can switch locations anytime.

Key Specification

• PC, Xbox & PS5 Crossplay: Steam, Microsoft Store, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 players can all join one ASA server.
• All 10 Official Maps: Switch between The Island, Ragnarok, Astraeos, Lost Colony and more in one click, each with its own save.
• CurseForge Mods, Auto-Updated: CurseForge mods and custom maps install automatically and stay updated.
• Clusters & Backups: Run cluster servers for cross-map transfers, with backups 4 times a day kept for 6 months.
• 3-Day Test Servers: Rent a 10-slot ASA server for 3 days to test ping and mods before a monthly plan.

Pricing

Survival Servers prices ARK: Survival Ascended by player slots. Code ASCENDED25 cuts 25% off the first payment.

Plan	Regular Price	With ASCENDED25
10 slots, 3 days	$4.66	$3.50
10 slots, monthly	$15.53/mo	$11.65 first month
20 slots, monthly	$22.00/mo	$16.50 first month

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10. G-Portal: Best Official ARK: Survival Evolved Partner

G-Portal is an official Studio Wildcard partner, and its ARK servers are licensed ARK: Survival Evolved Steam servers. That makes it a safe pick if you want an established, official host for the original game.

Every server includes all DLC maps, Steam Workshop mods with unlimited mod storage, cross-travel between your servers, a backup tab and FTP access. You can change most settings without restarting the server, DDoS protection comes from Bulwark and Corero, and with Gamecloud you can move your slots to another game.

Instead of a monthly subscription, you rent a server for a fixed period with no contract, from $6.24 for 3 days or $15.59 for 30 days with 10 slots (Central Europe pricing). G-Portal offers 24/7 ticket support plus phone and email, but its servers are not compatible with ARK: Survival Ascended.

Read more: Our full G-Portal review covers its plans, features and support in detail.

Key Specification

• Official Studio Wildcard Partner: Licensed ARK: Survival Evolved Steam servers from an official partner.
• All DLCs & Unlimited Mod Storage: Every DLC map is included, and Steam Workshop mods have unlimited storage.
• Cross-Travel Between Servers: Transfer characters between your own G-Portal ARK servers.
• Live Settings Changes: Change most server settings without a restart, with FTP and a backup tab.
• Enterprise DDoS Protection: DDoS protection from Bulwark and Corero keeps your server online during attacks.

Pricing

G-Portal rents ARK: Survival Evolved servers for fixed periods by slot count, from 10 to 64 slots.

Rental Period	Slots	Price
3 days	From 10	From $6.24
30 days	10	$15.59
90 days	10	$42.09
90 days	20	$61.83

How Much RAM Does an ARK Server Need?

RAM is the most important spec in ARK server hosting, and running out of it is the number one reason ARK servers lag or crash. The map, the number of players and your mods all add to it, and ARK: Survival Ascended needs noticeably more memory than Survival Evolved. Use this table as a starting point, based on the plan recommendations the hosts above publish:

Server Type	ARK: Survival Evolved	ARK: Survival Ascended
Small group, vanilla The Island (1–10 players)	8GB to 10GB	12GB
Mid-size tribe or DLC maps (10–30 players)	12GB to 14GB	16GB
Heavy mods or big maps like Ragnarok and Genesis	16GB+	20GB to 24GB+
Cluster of several maps	Plan RAM per map	Plan RAM per map

Pro Tip: Keep 20% to 30% of your RAM free. A server running at its memory limit is the most common cause of ARK crashes and rollbacks.

How to Choose the Best ARK Server Hosting

The best ARK server hosting for your tribe depends on your game version, map and group size, so check these points before you buy an ARK server:

• ASA or ASE Support: Make sure the host supports the exact ARK version your players own. Many hosts still only offer Survival Evolved.
• Enough RAM for Your Map: Plan at least 12GB for ASA and 8GB for ASE, and more for DLC maps, mods or 30+ players.
• Crossplay: Need Xbox or PlayStation players on your server? Pick an ASA host that supports console crossplay.
• Mods & Clusters: Look for one-click CurseForge (ASA) or Steam Workshop (ASE) installs and free clustering for multi-map tribes.
• Server Location: Choose a data center close to most of your players to keep ping low during fights and taming.
• Refund or Free Trial: A trial or money-back guarantee lets you test performance with your tribe before you commit.

How to Set Up an ARK Server Hosting in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Once you have picked your ARK server hosting provider, getting your server online takes only a few minutes. Hosts handle the install for you, but if you want to understand what happens behind the scenes, the ARK Wiki dedicated server guide explains every setting:

1. Pick your ARK version and plan (ASA or ASE) with enough RAM for your map, mods and players.
2. Choose a server location close to most of your tribe for the lowest ping.
3. Select your map, such as The Island, Scorched Earth, Ragnarok or Astraeos, in the control panel.
4. Set the server name, password and admin password, then adjust rates like XP, taming and harvesting.
5. Install mods from CurseForge (ASA) or the Steam Workshop (ASE) using the panel’s mod installer.
6. Start the server and join from the unofficial server browser or by connecting to the server IP.

FAQ – Best ARK Server Hosting 2026

Conclusion – Best ARK Server Hosting 2026

The best ARK server hosting keeps your world online 24/7, gives every map enough RAM and makes mods, clusters and backups easy, without making you fight the server.

For ARK: Survival Ascended, GravelHost gives you the most RAM for the money, Apex Hosting is the easiest fully managed option, RocketNode offers unlimited slots, and Survival Servers is the pick for PC, Xbox and PS5 crossplay. For ARK: Survival Evolved, ScalaCube and Shockbyte are great budget choices, Host Havoc is best for clusters, and DatHost, BisectHosting and G-Portal round out the list.

Whichever host you choose, match the server to your ARK version, size the RAM for your map and mods, and use the refund window or trial to test it with your tribe. Hosting more than one game? Compare more options in our list of the best dedicated game server hosting.

Running other survival games too? Compare the best hosts for Rust, Conan Exiles, 7 Days to Die, Palworld and Soulmask.

In Short, These Are the Best ARK Server Hosting Providers in 2026

S. No	Provider	ARK Version	Slots / RAM	Starting Price	Visit
1	GravelHost	ASA	16–28GB, unlimited slots	$24.00/month	Try Now
2	ScalaCube	ASE	20–120 slots	$19.00/month	Try Now
3	Apex Hosting	ASA	12–32GB RAM	$29.24 first month	Try Now
4	Host Havoc	ASE	30–100 slots	$15.00/month	Try Now
5	DatHost	ASE	Unlimited slots	€6.90/month (yearly)	Try Now
6	BisectHosting	ASE	10–48GB RAM	$29.99/month	Try Now
7	RocketNode	ASA	12–32GB, unlimited slots	$36.00/month	Try Now
8	Shockbyte	ASE	30–125+ players	$14.99/month	Try Now
9	Survival Servers	ASA (+ASE)	10+ slots, crossplay	$15.53/month	Try Now
10	G-Portal	ASE	10–64 slots	$15.59/30 days	Try Now