Do I Need ARK Server Hosting?
If you’re asking if it’s possible to play ARK: Survival Evolved without a server, then the answer is yes. You can play offline or join one of the many existing official or unofficial servers.
That said, if you’ve been around the block a few times, you know the ARK Survival servers are not always enjoyable. Multiplayer servers are usually packed with people who already have endgame gear, griefers, and poor admins.
So, if you think you might do better than your typical server owner, let’s see what advantages you can get.
One benefit is that you get complete control of the game world (or cluster of worlds). You get to determine the rules, set up the extensions you want, do various server events, and enjoy the game on your own terms.
You can run it completely vanilla or mod the bejesus out of the ARK game server. It’s up to you.
You can stop worrying about griefers ruining your day as well. Just make the rules known and kick anyone who doesn’t obey them. Heck, if you want to keep all strangers out, just make the server fully private.
If you prefer playing with strangers, you can build a massive community, engage other players, and have them build clans. There are options to associate a website, run a Discord or a Mumble channel, and even sell branded merch.
The opportunities with the best ARK server hosting are endless.
Can I Make Money from ARK?
Did the mention of merch pique your interest?
There are plenty of ways to earn a few bucks. You can charge for access, accept voluntary donations, set up an associated YouTube or Twitch channel, or sell in-game items and bonuses. Most players choose to sell hard-to-obtain items on PvP servers, but private server owners can have their cut too.
And who knows, if you like managing, you might even start your own ARK server rental company.
One small disclaimer we should make is that earnings largely depend on the size of your server. It’s tough to make a living unless you have massive resources. That said, if you’re an avid gamer, you can easily generate passive income.
Lastly, depending on your current server, you can expect a bit of a performance boost. A machine near you with enough resources and good hardware can typically offer more than a random third-party server.
Sounds good? Let’s walk you through the process of picking a server host.
How to Choose the Best ARK Server Hosting Provider?
Are you set on managing your own ARK server? Here are a few tips to help you research potential providers.
Let’s start with the easy part. Make sure the company offers servers that support the correct version of ARK. You can get a crossplay server that supports both Windows and Xbox play, but you would need a specialist provider for PS.
Check the servers’ location as well. If you’re planning to play actively, you should find a data center nearby. It will improve the overall experience.
Hardware plays a role here too. Servers running new Ryzen 5950x CPUs and high broadband access will outperform a cheap ARK server on someone’s old computer. You can check your host’s hardware setup and find a few benchmark comparisons online to see what you can expect.
Consider the open slots. This part mostly has to do with shared servers that put a cap on the number of simultaneous players instead of limiting your resources. It’s fine to look for cheap ARK server hosting, but make sure you’ll be able to accommodate your entire party.
Note that this doesn’t apply to VPS or dedicated servers. They are much larger and have no slot limit. Such options are much better for large worlds and tournaments.
Check if the provider supports all the DLCs and mods you want to play.
Some hosts run vanilla-only servers. Others integrate with Steam Workshop, letting you choose from thousands of mods. Try to rent an ARK server with the freshest versions of mods and auto-updates.
Who doesn’t like powerful, shiny features? Always check out which provider offers the best goodies. A few big ones to watch out for with ARK are automatic backups and some form of DDoS mitigation. They can make your game server more reliable.
Check out the customer service as well to ensure you’ll have proper assistance. An absent support team with little understanding of the platform usually means never-ending problems.
Now that you have a pretty good idea of what you want, it’s time to get the best ARK server hosting deal. Feel free to shop around a bit and find a provider that fits your price range (or even falls a bit under it).
If you’re unsure where to begin, you can find some great-value picks in our reviews above.
Wrap Up
You now know what you can do with your own server and how and where to find one.
Above are our picks of the best ARK server hosting providers in 2022. Feel free to check out any of them and see what they can do for your server.
