Why Run Your Own ARK Server?
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Let’s be honest — the official servers are a mess. Hosting your own gives you:
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Full control over rules, mods, and settings
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A grief-free world for just your friends or your tribe
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The ability to adjust difficulty, XP rates, breeding speed, etc.
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No more wiped saves or surprise shutdowns
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Support for mods like Structures Plus, Primal Fear, Fjordur, etc.
If you’re serious about ARK — especially modding — a private server is the way to go.
What Actually Matters When Choosing a Host
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Don’t get distracted by flashy ads. Here’s what makes or breaks an ARK host:
Performance (Big One)
ARK is very demanding. Make sure your host offers:
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High single-thread CPU power (important for ARK)
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At least 8 GB RAM
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SSD/NVMe storage
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Servers close to your location
Modding Support
ARK’s modding scene is huge. You want:
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One-click Steam Workshop mod installs
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Auto mod updates
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Good support for big total conversions (like Extinction Core)
Control Panel & Ease of Use
Look for hosts with:
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An easy-to-use control panel (like TCAdmin or custom dashboards)
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Scheduled backups
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Server logs and crash recovery
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In-browser file editing (for
GameUserSettings.ini
etc.)
Good Support
ARK can be buggy. You want a host that:
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Responds quickly
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Knows the game
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Offers 24/7 support in your language/timezone
Trusted Hosting Providers (What They’re Actually Good At)
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No paid placements here — just hosts that ARK players actually use and recommend.
GTXGaming
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One of the most popular for ARK
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Tons of config options
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Excellent modding support
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Not the cheapest, but reliable
HostHavoc
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Great performance for the price
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Easy UI and fast setup
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Known for helpful support
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Canada-based but has worldwide locations
Survival Servers
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ARK-focused dashboard
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Fast mod installs
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Good for total conversions
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Slightly more technical, but powerful
Nitrado
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Official partner of ARK
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Supports crossplay (Xbox/Windows)
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Good for console players
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UI can be confusing for new users
Pricing (What to Expect)
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ARK hosting isn’t super cheap — the game’s just too demanding. Expect:
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$15–$30/month for 10–20 slots
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Mods and maps (like Ragnarok or Crystal Isles) usually free
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More RAM = more expensive, especially for mod-heavy servers
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VPS or dedicated box needed for huge modpacks or communities
Tips Before You Choose
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Pick a location close to your group — low ping = happy players
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Don’t overpay for more slots than you need (you can upgrade later)
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Make sure the host supports automatic mod updating
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Ask about Dino wipes, backups, and file access
Our Honest Take
If you want something solid with great modding support, start with GTXGaming or HostHavoc. Both are trusted, gamer-friendly, and used by long-time ARK players. For console or crossplay, go with Nitrado (just be ready for a learning curve). If you’re super technical or want to save money, rent a VPS or dedicated server — but be ready to manage everything yourself.
Host | Domain Name | Price | Min Slots | Slots | DDoS | Us Locations | Other Locations | RAM | Notes | Established | Votes | Host Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | nitrado.net | $16.20 | 10 | 200 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 44 | Visit Host |
US Locations: N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
![]() | nodecraft.com | $10.00 | 10 | 200 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2013 | 80 | Visit Host |
US Locations: N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
![]() | shockbyte.com | $15.00 | 30 | 200 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2013 | 33 | Visit Host |
US Locations: Other Countries: | gfgfgsd | N/A | ||||||||||
![]() | survivalservers.com | $15.50 | 10 | 255 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2012 | 99 | Visit Host |
US Locations: N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
![]() | hosthavoc.com | $15.00 | 30 | 200 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2014 | 191 | Visit Host |
US Locations: N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
![]() | gamever.io | $12.50 | 10 | 80 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2021 | 34 | Visit Host |
US Locations: N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
![]() | g-portal.com | $14.00 | 10 | 1000 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2017 | 176 | Visit Host |
US Locations: Other Countries: | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
![]() | scalacube.com | $19.00 | 20 | 120 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2015 | 88 | Visit Host |
US Locations: N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
![]() | logicservers.com | $16.40 | 15 | 1000 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2015 | 23 | Visit Host |
US Locations: N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
godlike.host | $32.00 | N/A | 30 | Yes | N/A | N/A | 8GB | 8GB Ram | 2021 | 0 | Visit Host | |
US Locations: Other Countries: |
| 8GB Ram | ||||||||||
bisecthosting.com | $24.00 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | 8GB RAM | 2014 | 46 | Visit Host | |
US Locations: Other Countries: |
| 8GB RAM | ||||||||||
skynode.pro | $24.00 | N/A | 30 | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | CANNOT run Genesis 2 | 2017 | 0 | Visit Host | |
US Locations: Other Countries: | N/A | CANNOT run Genesis 2 |
Final Thoughts
ARK is one of the most rewarding survival games out there — but only if the server works. Renting your own is worth it for the stability, control, and peace of mind.
If you need help picking the right plan, modding your server, or just want advice — leave a comment or shoot us a message. We’re happy to help.
Now go tame that T-Rex