Survival sandbox with some adventure elements; that’s ARK: Survival Evolved.
You’ll start in the world with nothing more than the clothes you’re wearing, just like in Rust, DayZ, and other survival games.
Despite these parallels, ARK is a highly ambitious project. You can go from a naked man with a spear to a futuristic power ranger with pet dinosaurs if you put in the time in the game.
But if you think that you can just jump in, play for a few hours, and control a whole bunch of dinosaurs and advanced machinery, you’re completely wrong. It takes a lot of time, effort, and grinding in ARK to reach the point where you can tame powerful dinosaurs and use them to your advantage.
Some players may find the game tedious because of the time spent obtaining resources and upgrading.
However, there are instances available on some servers that expedite the process of acquiring gear and advancing in levels. Not all servers provide these features, though.
Hosting your own ARK server is the greatest option if you want complete control over your gaming experience, play with friends, and have a great time without griefers or onerous rules.
Some of the top ARK server hosting providers are reviewed here.
How about we just jump in?
Contents
Renting an ARK Server vs Hosting your Own
If you and a small group of friends are the target audience for your server, hosting it is fine.
Dedicated ARK Server on Your PC
It can be difficult to set up your own ARK server if you have no experience doing so, but the official ARK wiki has detailed guidelines like this one to help you get started. If you stick to the instructions, your server will soon be operational.
In addition to being more difficult, hosting a large server necessitates a powerful computer with lots of RAM.
RAM and processing power requirements for open-world games are typically higher than those for games like Team Fortress 2 or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. And as the player count rises, so does the load on your computer from the server.
Just consider:
It’s OK if your buddies just want to play when you are, but since ARK needs a lot of grinding, they probably want to log in without you.
This necessitates that you have your computer on and the server active at all times.
It will also be difficult to figure out how to install mods or DLC packs to your server without some help.
Waiting for ark to fix the dedicated server issues. #ark #xbox pic.twitter.com/o2ewrt0RT5
— Tomb Womble (@TombWomble) August 9, 2017
Renting ARK Server Hosting
That’s why you need ARK server hosting from a specialized provider like GTX Gaming.
By renting from a reputable company like theirs, you can rest assured that your server will be available at all times, will run more smoothly, will be able to install any customizations you need, and will be supported by a knowledgeable staff (among other benefits)
Which is Best for You?
Don’t get me wrong — if you have a high-end gaming PC and only plan to host a small group of buddies, operating a private ARK server on your computer is certainly feasible. If that’s the case, hosting is probably not worth the cost.
A competent hosting firm is a need for most people, especially those who want to operate a legitimate server (like one of the options above).
Best ARK Server Hosting
Prices for GTX Gaming’s ARK servers begin at $11.31 a month for a ten-seat machine with 5GB of RAM and a 3.8GHz processor. Each slot would cost about $1.31 at that price.
However, the cost per slot decreases as more slots are purchased. As an illustration, a server with 30 slots costs $25.95 ($0.86/slot), while a server with 250 slots costs $79.10 ($0.31/slot).
Server hosts who need a lot of server space will appreciate bulk savings.
The fact that ARK is GTX Gaming’s best-selling server at the moment is evidence that they are on to something.
With quick deployment and Genesis compatibility, their ARK servers are a great choice. An instantaneously ready ARK Genesis server is now available for order.
For several reasons (which I go into more detail about in my GTX Gaming review), GTX Gaming is one of my preferred hosting providers.
Features include a mod updater that works in the background, round-the-clock customer service, free DDoS protection, the full complement of ARK maps and expansion packs, and a generous refund policy that allows for cancellation within a day.
And if you get bored with playing ARK, you can always swap it out for another game using their free, convenient game-switching option.
GTX Gaming provides excellent in-game support thanks to its knowledgeable team and comprehensive FAQ section.
They only provide ARK servers for the PC version of Steam; if you want a server for the Xbox One or PS4, read on for information about Nitrado.
However, if you’re searching for a PC ARK server, my recommendation would be GTX Gaming.
Cheapest ARK Server Hosting
Citadel Servers is the best ARK server hosting business for the money.
Prices for their ARK servers begin at $13.05 per month for a minimum of 15 slots, or $0.87 per slot.
However, keep in mind that pricing may vary depending on where you are.
In addition to offering free DDoS protection, Citadel Servers also makes it easy to install over a thousand different ARK mods with only a click.
Their value is excellent, and I had a positive interaction with their customer service personnel.
Overall, Citadel Servers is a strong second choice for the top ARK server hosting provider.
As we’ll discuss in greater detail in our Host Havoc review, Host Havoc is another top-tier host because of its superior performance, reasonable prices, and top-notch customer service.
Cheap ARK servers from Host Havoc start at just $0.50/slot, but you’ll need at least 30 players to join. The lowest monthly cost for one of their ARK servers is $15.
In contrast, Host Havoc’s ARK servers have a tiered price structure that gives significant discounts for purchasing more powerful hardware.
The cost per slot reduces to $0.30 when purchasing a server capable of hosting 100 users.
Boosting performance with things like more RAM or a faster processor is possible, but it’s not required and usually isn’t worth the cost. All of their ARK servers come with a no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee that lasts for a full three days.
The customer service at Host Havoc is exceptional; I received a response to my ticket within ten minutes. When you’re just starting out with server hosting and need a specialized support team to help you out, Host Havoc is the place to go.
ARK Server Hosting for PS4 & Xbox One
For Xbox One and PS4 ARK servers, the best host is presently Nitrado.
ARK PS4 server hosting is available for purchase on Nitrado’s website.
The process of renting an Xbox One ARK server is unique. Since ARK is a Microsoft Store exclusive, the only way to purchase a server is through the Nitrado app.
Nitrado provides PS4 and Xbox One ARK servers at a variety of price points, as seen below:
A lower per-slot price is available when more slots are purchased.
Some other hosting providers also provide console ARK servers, but Nitrado is widely regarded as the industry leader.
ARK Mobile Server Hosting
Nitrado is the recommended mobile server host if you’re looking to host an ARK mobile server. Either visit their website to hire a mobile server, or access the Nitrado app directly from the ARK mobile server menu.
ARK Server Hosting Free
No, hosting an ARK server won’t cost you anything, but unfortunately, no hosting company offers completely free ARK server hosting. After all, providing free ARK hosting sounds less like a business and more like charity, and it would likely be terrible.
It is necessary to host an ARK server on your personal computer if you wish to do so for free.
For a tiny server with a few pals, hosting isn’t a major deal, but just like Rust, ARK’s open world is at its best when it’s online all the time.
Self-hosting isn’t ideal for the reasons we mentioned at the beginning of the essay, but it is possible.
Here’s a video guide that will show you the ropes for setting up your own ARK server:
Things to Note About ARK Hosting Providers
Before deciding to purchase an ARK server, it’s vital to think about the following:
You Get What You Pay For
You receive the quality that you pay for, first and foremost.
You shouldn’t count on the same level of performance from a cheap ARK server host that you would from a more expensive but higher-quality one.
Support response time, mod support, and other factors all contribute to the overall quality of a server.
However, if you only want to host a server for yourself and a few pals, there’s no need to shell out a tonne of cash for the best host in the world.
Customer Support
Because problems with your server are inevitable at some time, customer assistance is a crucial feature.
You should check out their knowledge base, as that’s often a good indicator of how well a hosting provider supports its customers. The presence of such documentation is indicative of the company’s expertise and will aid with server installation and troubleshooting.
Reviews are a great place to learn important details like response time. One host that responds quickly to my tickets is Havoc.
However, GameServers has terrible customer service. It takes them a few hours to get back to you.
No matter how sophisticated you are when it comes to technology, it’s always worth it to spring for top-notch customer service.
Refund Policy
If you only want to test the waters, you can take advantage of the money-back guarantee offered by some businesses. Not everyone can handle the complexity of maintaining an ARK server.
Because of this, regulations that allow for refunds are extremely helpful. Both PingPerfect and GTX Gaming have a 24-hour money-back guarantee. A full refund is available within 72 hours after purchase on Host Havoc.
Further, there are businesses that will let you try them out for nothing.
In any case, you should consider working with a provider that is confident enough in their servers to offer a money-back guarantee.
History
A hosting provider’s track record can tell you a lot about their reliability.
Find out how long they’ve been in business and how long they’ve been hosting ARK servers. Companies that have been around longer will (ideally) have a solid reputation and excellent customer service.
On the other hand, a business that is just getting started with ARK may not be familiar with how an ARK server works.
That brings us to our next point:
Reviews
Prior to making a purchase, it is essential to read reviews of the hosting company in question to get a sense of the firm’s reliability.
I won’t go into depth because this is so self-evident.
Server Locations
Finally, check to see if you and your friends can easily access the hosting company’s servers. Being physically close to the server boosts performance.
On the other side, nobody loves using a server on the other side of the continent (or the ocean).
The companies I’ve named above are typical of the hosting industry, and they all have server nodes in various locations across the world.
ARK Server Manager
Hosts will find ARK Server Manager to be an invaluable tool. The official community page states:
Setting up and managing your own private Ark: Survival Evolved ™ dedicated servers is easy with the Ark Server Manager. A straightforward interface is provided for making and modifying server profiles that contain all of the options necessary to personalise the gaming experience for you and your buddies.
The ARK server administrator essentially:
- Updates the SteamCMD and the servers
- Automatically arranges preferences
- Monitors server health Allows for the saving and loading of server profiles
- Adjustments to the Timetable
Particularly on the personal computer, it is an incredibly helpful tool for those who host ARK servers. This page is the official download location.
Best ARK Server Mods and Plugins in 2022
Various online lists have highlighted the following add-ons and patches for PC Gamers to install:
Grind elimination mods
In ARK, you have to put in a tonne of time grinding before you can do anything fancy like fly around in power armor or even tame a dinosaur.
Using a grind removal mod will make construction and crafts less monotonous and more enjoyable.
Structures Plus
Despite the emphasis on construction and crafting in ARK, the game’s building system is mediocre at best.
Structures Plus greatly simplifies the ARK building and crafting processes. The modification eliminates a wide variety of erratic snap points and peculiar constraints.
Instead of deleting and replacing objects, you can pick them up and move them instead. Last but not least, you can grab materials from storage bins without leaving your current location.
Alter Statio
Upgrade Station
At the Upgrade Station, you may take your ARK equipment from rudimentary to supreme without having to rely on random loot drops.
Stargate Worlds
In Stargate Worlds, you can construct teleportation stations anywhere in the world to quickly get to other parts of the game.
It might look like I’m helping you cheat, but I can assure you that making one of those is no easy feat. When you finally push through, you won’t have to worry about nearly as many threats associated with flying.
Automated ARK
When your outpost grows to a certain size, you’ll have to devote a lot of time to mundane tasks like sanitizing waste areas, restocking food supplies, and planting new crops.
Automated ARK will take care of that monotonous task so you can focus on the more enjoyable aspects of the game. Those interested in farming will find this very helpful.
Final Word
Hosting your own server for ARK is how you should approach the game. It allows you to customize your ARK experience, play with others, and create a vibrant player base.
Feel free to get in touch with me if you have any additional questions about ARK server hosting, and I’ll do my best to answer them as soon as possible.
