9 Best Free ARK Server Hosting (2023)

By : Kristina Tuvikene Kristina Tuvikene
Hours Updated

Best ARK Server Hosting

Gamers love the lag-free gameplay experience a dedicated ARK server provides. It helps you host and play ARK in a more reliable environment where you can dictate your game settings and how you want the game to run.

We have compiled a list of the nine best ARK hosting provide and their most notable features. Moreover, we will go through the pros and cons and how good they are in terms of ARK server hosting performance.

Best Free ARK Survival Evolved Hosting

 
#1 Best Overall
#2 Top Pick
Hosting Provider Apex Hosting Shockbyte BisectHosting ScalaCube
Best For Best ARK Server Hosting Best Uptime Guarantee Best User-Friendly Control Panel Best FREE ARK Server Hosting
Player Capacity Unlimited 30-125 Unlimited 20-120
Modding Yes Yes Yes Yes
Supported Platform PC PC PC PC
Server Locations 18 global data servers Multiple servers in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific 17 ARK servers in Europe, Australia, the US, and South America Multiple server locations around the world
Free Trial 7-day refund 72-hour money-back guarantee 3-day refund FREE plan
Price Starting from $14.99/month Starting from $14.99/month Starting from $13.99/month FREE

          Reviews
Excellent – 4.8
Excellent – 4.5
Good – 4.3
Good – 4.2
Link Visit Apex Hosting Visit Shockbyte Visit BisectHosting Visit ScalaCube
Expert Advice: Why Rent a Dedicated ARK Server

“Dedicated servers offer better speed and memory than shared servers. There is no downtime due to scheduled maintenance or someone else on the same server who needs their bandwidth. Moreover, you can count on superior customer support, security, and server hardware. These things can make all the difference in an ARK game experience.”

1) Apex Hosting

Best for ARK Server Hosting

Apex Hosting is one of the best ARK server hosting providers that offers many impressive features, including automated backups, easy server configuration, and a free sub-domain.

Also, Apex Hosting has a 99.9% uptime guarantee and a 99% network SLA. This means that if Apex fails to deliver the guaranteed promises, you are eligible for a refund.

Apex Hosting

Features:

  • All Expansions Available
  • Modding Support
  • DDoS Protection
  • Powerful Server Console
  • High-Quality hardware – you’ll get powerful 3.0 ghz+ processors, and a protected one gbps+ network that provides the lowest ping.

Pros

  • Server setup takes less than 5 minutes
  • One-Click modpacks
  • Premium Hardware & Low Latency
  • Full FTP and MYSQL Database Access

Cons

  • A free, dedicated IP address is not included

Pricing:

Apex Hosting comes with many ARK hosting pricing plans. Here are the three cheapest ones:

Price Players Storage Memory
$14.99/month Unlimited Unlimited 4 GB
$18.74/month Unlimited Unlimited 5 GB
$22.49/month Unlimited Unlimited 6 GB

Key Specs:

Refund policy: 7-day money-back guarantee
Customer support: ticketing, 24/7 live chat, and knowledge base
Data Centers: 18 servers located in the US, Europe, Brazil, Israel, the UK, Russia, Australia, Turkey, Japan, and Singapore
Control Panel: Multicraft
Supported platforms: PC

Visit Apex Hosting

2) ShockByte

Best for Uptime Guarantee

ShockByte is a popular game server host that besides renting ARK servers, also offers hosting for Minecraft, Terraria, Valheim, and many more. In addition to DDoS protection, automated backups, and free migration from your old provider, their ARK server plans offer guaranteed security features.

Moreover, the teams at ShockByte are committed to providing 100% uptime guarantees, so you can rest assured that your server is up and running, no matter what happens.

ShockByte

Features:

  • Automatic Updates
  • Instant Setup
  • Low Latency
  • Full FTP Access
  • Fully Configurable
  • Free Subdomain
  • Mod and Map Support – servers automatically update and support the latest content from all Expansion Packs, DLC Maps, Custom Maps, and Steam Workshop mods.

Pros

  • Great Network SLA
  • Free MySQL Database
  • Free Dedicated IP

Cons

  • Maximum of 125 slots

Pricing:

ShockByte offers three ARK servers hosting plans:

Price Players Storage Memory
$14.99/month 30 Unlimited 10 GB
$29.99/month 70 Unlimited 12 GB
$49.99/month 125 Unlimited 16 GB

Key Specs:

Refund policy: 3-day refund policy
Customer support: 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, and Discord
Data Centers: Hosting servers located in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific
Control Panel: Multicraft
Supported platforms: PC/Linux

Visit ShockByte >>

3) BisectHosting

Best for User-Friendly Control Panel

BisectHosting is an ideal option for ARK server hosting. They offer features that make it easy to set up your server. For example, you’ll get all map support and ARK clustering. You can set up your server in a way that supports multiple maps at once. It offers ARK clustering, which means that you can take multiple servers and link them together to allow the transfer of different game characters.

BisectHosting

Features:

  • Full Mod Support
  • You can enable auto-update on your server to ensure that it stays up to date whenever you restart it.
  • Daily Backups
  • SSD Drives that ensure map loading and saving to be done as quickly as possible
  • Instant Setup
  • All Map Support

Pros

  • User-friendly control panel
  • 24/7 server monitoring
  • Free DDoS Protection

Cons

  • Does not offer Network SLA

Pricing:

ShockByte comes with two ARK game hosting plans:

Price Players Storage Memory
$13.99/month Unlimited Unlimited 7 GB
$19.99/month Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited

Key Specs:

Refund policy: 72-hour refund policy
Customer support: 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, and Discord
Data Centers: 16 servers located worldwide
Control Panel: Custom control panel
Supported platforms: PC (Steam and Epic Games)

Visit BisectHosting >>

4) ScalaCube

Best FREE ARK Server Hosting

ScalaCube is a unique game hosting provider which offers a free ARK hosting plan. All of their ARK server plans come with DDoS protection and 24/7 uptime, ensuring that your server is always available and playable.

Besides ARK, ScalaCube also rents dedicated servers for Minecraft, Valheim, Terraria, Hytale, Rust, and Project Zomboid games.

ScalaCube

Features:

  • ARK Official Mods
  • Steam Workshop Mods
  • SSD Drives
  • Full FTP Access
  • Change Maps
  • Modify Server Configurations
  • Custom Launch Parameters for Customizing Your ARK Server
  • Stable Ping Times and Fast Download Speed

Pros

  • Offers Free Domain
  • The website has many helpful tutorials on how to host a server
  • Instant Server Setup

Cons

  • No uptime guarantee

Pricing:

ScalaCube is the only ARK game host on this list that offers a free plan. Besides the free plan, you can also choose between two premium pricing plans:

Price Players Storage Memory
Free Basic servers 50 GB 32 GB
$19/month 20 320 GB 32 GB
$24/month 30 320 GB 32 GB

Key Specs:

Refund policy: Onetime refunds are not available
Customer support: 24/7 ticketing and knowledge base
Data Centers: Multiple global servers located in Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom
Control Panel: Custom
Supported platforms: PC (Steam and Epic Games)

Visit ScalaCube >>

5) HostHavoc

Best for Selection of Games

HostHavoc is an ARK hosting provider created to make your gaming experience as fun and easy as possible. They provide customers with the newest and most powerful servers. You will also get a top-notch support team whose average response time is less than 10 minutes.

In addition, they offer 30 different game servers with free DDoS protection, daily backups for your data, and API plugins.

HostHavoc

Features:

  • FTP and File Manager Access
  • Steam Workshop Availability
  • Easy to Use
  • 2-Factor Authentication so that you can secure your account with the Google Authenticator
  • Switch Games Anytime
  • Easy Configuration
  • Powered by NVMe SSDs
  • Advanced Server Settings
  • Server is Set Up in Minutes
  • Great Game Selection (30)
  • 99.9% Network SLA – performance credit will be assured if the uptime guarantee is not met.
  • BattleMetric RCON

Pros

  • Support for all mods and downloadable content
  • Automatic ARK Clustering
  • Command Line Manager

Cons

  • Some maps require more memory space

Pricing:

Host Havoc offers three ARK game plans:

Price Players Storage Memory
$15/month 30 N/A 8 GB
$18/month 40 N/A 8 GB
$20/month 50 N/A 8 GB

You’ll get a discount if you sign up with Host Havoc for a more extended period.

Key Specs:

Refund policy: 3-day money-back guarantee
Customer support: 24/7 ticketing and knowledge base
Data Centers: 10 global servers in Australia, Europe, and America
Control Panel: TCAdmin v2
Supported platforms: PC (Steam, Epic Games)

Visit HostHavoc >>

6) Survival Servers

Best for PS4 Servers

Survival Servers was founded in 2013 and became a well-known brand quickly because of its competitive pricing and a great range of features. Some of their most notable specs include ultra-fast NVMe SSD drives and automated server restarts. Moreover, you’ll get the latest version of mod support.

Survival Servers is also the only ARK server host on this list that is compatible with PlayStation 4.

Survival Servers

Features:

  • Server Control via FTP Access
  • File Manager
  • DDoS Protection
  • Access to 3-rd Party Tools
  • Install Mods and Plugins
  • Game Server Config Manager Tool
  • All Steam Workshop Maps or Mods
  • Highest Single Thread Benchmark Intel/AMD CPUs
  • Procedural Map Generator
  • Custom Launch Parameters
  • Host ARK Official Mods
  • Access to 3-rd Party tools
  • Simple Registration and Set Up
  • Cluster Game Server Option
  • Server Status – Start/Stop/Restart
  • Server Status – ARK Version/Status

Pros

  • Switch server locations
  • Server pass locking
  • A high number of slots available

Cons

  • No clear information about an uptime guarantee

Pricing:

Survival Servers offers several pricing plans, from 10 slots to 255 slots. Their 20 slots plan is the most popular.

Price Players Storage Memory
$15.53/month 10 N/A N/A
$18/month 15 N/A N/A
$22/month 20 N/A N/A

If you go for their quarterly, semi-annual, or annual plans, you’ll get a discount of 10%, 15%, and 20%.

Key Specs:

Refund policy: 72-hour money-back guarantee
Customer support: ticketing, email, and community forum
Data Centers: 7 servers in the US, Europe, and Singapore
Control Panel: custom in-house control panel
Supported platforms: PC and PS4

Visit Survival Servers

7) GTX Gaming

Best for Server Hardware

GTX Gaming offers many powerful features to make your gaming experience enjoyable. They come with a custom control panel that offers functions to make hosting an ARK server as accessible as possible. Your account will be set up within minutes after registration; after that, you can generate your maps and cross-travel.

GTX Gaming

Features:

  • Steam Workshop
  • Automatic Mod Updater – a tool that automatically detects new mods and then installs the latest version
  • Anytime Game Switching
  • Automatic Timed Messages
  • Beyond API Plugin Support
  • All Maps and DLCs (downloadable content) Supported

Pros

  • Worldwide coverage
  • Enterprise hardware
  • Offsite backups
  • Free DDoS Protection

Cons

  • No live chat

Pricing:

Here are the ARK server hosting options and pricing:

Price Players Storage Memory
$10.54/month 10 100 GB 8 GB
$16.41/month 20 100 GB 8 GB
$24.61/month 40 100 GB 8 GB

Committing to GTX Gaming for a longer time, you’ll get up to a 15% discount.

Key Specs:

Refund policy: 24-hour refund
Customer support: 24/7 ticketing, email, Discord, and knowledge base
Data Centers: 11 ARK servers located in the UK, Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, and Malaysia
Control Panel: Custom
Supported platforms: PC

Visit GTX Gaming

8) ARKservers.io

Best Variety of Mods and Maps

ARKservers.io specializes in providing ARK server rental to gamers worldwide. They stand out with their extensive mod support selection that you can install to your ARK game. It also comes with a free trial option that lets users test their services for eight hours without commitment.

Besides ARK, you can also opt for game servers such as 7 Days to Die, Rust, and Valheim.

ARKservers.io

Features:

  • ARK Cluster Server Hosting
  • Quick Setup
  • Powerful Configuration – all game settings are fully documented and easily accessible
  • FTP Access
  • Automatic Upgrades – Steam will automatically update your game client, and their software will update your server when you update your game.
  • DoS (Denial of Service) Protection
  • Guaranteed CPU – you can scale servers up to meet the demand without worrying about paying for extra CPU resources
  • All Expansions Available – play Primitive Plus, Ragnarok, Aberration, and more.

Pros

  • 1-click install over 1800 mods, and maps
  • You can schedule actions to occur automatically
  • Low ping network
  • Automatic backups

Cons

  • Server location in Australia costs extra
  • No DDoS protection

Pricing:

ARKservers.io offers two pricing plans, starting from 60 slots up to 250 slots.

Price Players Storage Memory
$18/month 60 N/A N/A
$32/month 250 N/A N/A

Key Specs:

Refund policy: 8-hour free trial and 24-hour money-back guarantee
Customer support: 24/7 email, Discord, and knowledge base
Data Centers: Game servers in Western Europe, North America, South America, and Australia
Control Panel: Custom
Supported platforms: PC/Mac

Visit ARKservers.io >>

FAQs

Here are the steps required to take in the process of hosting your own ARK server:

Step 1) Download and open SteamCMD.

This allows you to create and update ARK server installations.

Step 2. Once that’s done. Continue with downloading ARK dedicated server files.

Step 3) Set up and customize your server. Set up and customize your server. For example, specify which map you want to use, how many players will be included, the difficulty level, and so on.

Step 4) If your server is running, your next step is to join the game and check if your server is working and connected. Here you need to set up localhost, private IP, and public IP.

Done! Now you’re fully set to host and play ARK.

The best ARK server hosting solutions are as follows:

Here are what we look out for when choosing the best ARK server hosting:

  • Slots – When you’re looking to rent ARK hosting server, it’s best to find a hosting that can sustain all your players for a reasonable price.
  • Hardware – Check how much memory and storage the ARK server hosting companies offer. Ensure they use quality hardware and meet the minimum server requirements.
  • Security – Every game hosting provider should offer backups and free DDoS protection.
  • Support –Having 24/7 support is becoming an industry standard among hosting companies. Even if the host doesn’t offer a live chat possibility, ensure that there is a ticketing option or an extensive knowledge base.
  • Price –Try to pick a host that offers easy-to-understand pricing models and that there won’t be any hidden fees.
  • Mods – A good host can install and update modded Ark servers with a single click.
  • Server Locations – A wide variety of server locations is beneficial, and if the hosting companies offer the ability to switch locations, even better.
  • Free Trial and Refund Policy – Every trustworthy ARK server provider also offer a free trial or at least a money-back guarantee. If none of them is included, better stay away.

ARK: Survival Evolved is a popular multiplayer game that was released in 2017. The game revolves around working, hunting, and building with other players to survive on an abandoned island. It’s an open-world map that is navigated by foot or by riding a prehistoric animal, and you can play the game from either a third-person or first-person perspective.

Best Free ARK Survival Evolved Hosting

 
#1 Best Overall
#2 Top Pick
Hosting Provider Apex Hosting Shockbyte BisectHosting ScalaCube
Best For Best ARK Server Hosting Best Uptime Guarantee Best User-Friendly Control Panel Best FREE ARK Server Hosting
Player Capacity Unlimited 30-125 Unlimited 20-120
Modding Yes Yes Yes Yes
Supported Platform PC PC PC PC
Server Locations 18 global data servers Multiple servers in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific 17 ARK servers in Europe, Australia, the US, and South America Multiple server locations around the world
Free Trial 7-day refund 72-hour money-back guarantee 3-day refund FREE plan
Price Starting from $14.99/month Starting from $14.99/month Starting from $13.99/month FREE

          Reviews
Excellent – 4.8
Excellent – 4.5
Good – 4.3
Good – 4.2
Link Visit Apex Hosting Visit Shockbyte Visit BisectHosting Visit ScalaCube
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