Are you a fan of ARK: Survival Evolved? Well, you’re not alone. The popular adventure survival game has been out since 2015 and yet remains relevant today. Best played with friends, ARK gamers can experience higher-quality gameplay when using a dedicated server.
A ton of dedicated server hosting platforms (including Hostari) support this game, so it’s hard to narrow down the choices to just one. In this article, we’ll be helping you out by introducing you to some of the top server hosting platforms in 2023.
What Is an ARK Dedicated Server?
An ARK dedicated server is simply a machine you rent (or own) that only exists to run ARK.
Usually, ARK dedicated servers are owned by the server hosting providers and rented out to players for a monthly fee. They typically operate with high-end hardware, offering better connection quality and stability than players would have access to if they used their own machines.
Why Is a Dedicated Server for ARK Important?
Absolute Server Control
Dedicated servers give you full control over your lobby — you can install plugins, and mods, add custom maps or even kick problematic players out.
Little To No Frame Drops
Since dedicated servers use top-tier hardware, there should be little to no lag. You can expand your lobby or add mods without compromising game performance.
Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Dedicated Server for ARK
Consider the Location
Different server providers offer various location options. Choose a provider with data centers near you and your friends. The closer the location, the better the connection quality.
Review Recommended Server Requirements
Before committing to a dedicated server, check ARK's system requirements. The server host you pick must meet those requirements. Otherwise, your game performance may suffer.
Don't Overlook Additional Fees and Costs
Be aware of any additional fees, such as setup or migration costs. Consider future upgrades if you need more RAM or player slots later.
Best Dedicated Game Server Hosting Platforms For ARK
Due to ARK’s popularity, many hosting platforms support the game, which makes choosing one quite difficult. That’s why we’ve made this list of server providers — we cover things like pricing and key features so you can make the best choice for you and your friends.
Here are the tools we’ll be covering:
Hostari: Best for Easy Configuration
Host Havoc: Best for Advanced Security Measures
ServerBlend: Best for Fast Connection Speeds
Fozzy: Best for Smaller Lobbies
Nitrado: Best for Convenient Server Management
Now, let’s dive in!
1. Hostari: Best for Easy Configuration
Hostari offers game servers that are quick and easy to configure, which means less time in settings and more time in-game!
Our user-friendly interface makes customization possible for everyone, regardless of expertise. We have a team of experienced gamers and developers aiming to reach gamers worldwide.
Key Features
Automated Server Backups: Hostari automatically backs up your saves to prevent you from losing large amounts of progress if the server crashes.
Secure Servers: Hostari offers protection from various cyberattacks, including UDP floods, DDoS, and source-engine query attacks.
Instant Setup: Server setup is automated, allowing you to get up and running in just 5 minutes.
Access Controls: Customize your server with mods, custom maps, plugins, and more.
Global Data Centers: Hostari has data centers in multiple locations, including the US and Brazil, enabling you to connect with players around the globe.
Custom Control Panel: Manage all your settings from an easy-to-use control panel.
Pricing
Hostari offers four different plans:
Reaper ($17.99/month — billed annually)
Controller ($18.99/month — billed every 6 months)
Tamer ($19.99/month — billed every 3 months)
Breeder ($21.99/month — billed monthly)
Every plan comes with automated backups, on-demand chat support, and 24/7 runtime. The starting plan (reaper) comes with 8 GB RAM and 70 player slots.
Pros
Instant setup.
Easy configuration process.
Automated server backups.
User-friendly control panel.
Global data centers.
High-level security.
Automated updates.
24/7 customer support.
24/7 running Steam game.
Cons
Player slot limitations.
RAM limitations.
2. Host Havoc: Best for Advanced Security Measures
Host Havoc is known for providing top-quality performance and fast customer service. They provide free DDoS protection with all of their hosting services, so you never have to worry about security. In total, they protect against over 35 types of attacks, and they’re also great for hosting large lobbies.
Key Features
Ultra-Fast Processors: Host Havoc operates on processors with speeds up to 4.6 GHz to guarantee high-quality performance.
10 Data Centers Worldwide: They have data centers in 10 different cities, including the US, UK, and Germany.
Satisfaction Guarantee: If you're not satisfied within 72 hours of sign-up, you can get a full refund.
24/7/365 Support: They offer continuous support, and their average ticket response time is less than 10 minutes.
99.9% Uptime Guarantee: They have high uptime percentages, making them a reliable service to use.
Pricing
Host Havoc offers a minimum of 30 player slots at $0.50 per slot ($15/month), whilst the maximum number of slots (100) costs $0.30 per slot ($30/month). There are optional additional fees for:
High CPU priority ($4)
Additional RAM (12 GB = $7.50, 16 GB = $15)
BattleMetrics RCON ($3)
You can also choose between four different billing cycles:
Monthly
Quarterly
Semi-Annually
Annually
Pros
Instant setup.
24/7 customer support.
Quick response times.
99.9% uptime.
Top-end processors.
Free migration service.
10 data centers around the world.
Cons
Minimum player slot is high (30).
No free trial.
3. ServerBlend: Best for Fast Connection Speeds
ServerBlend provides fast CPUs and a reliable network (up to 4000 Gbps) to ensure your game runs smoothly. They use the latest processors and keep their network DDoS-protected for safety. You can choose from over 13 data center locations, including France, Australia, and the US.
Key Features
DDoS Protection: ServerBlend provides DDoS protection to keep your server online 24/7.
User-Friendly Control: Easily configure your server using their custom control panel.
High Performance: ServerBlend uses Intel Xeon processors with fast ECC RAM and NVMe or SSD storage for high game performance.
7-Day Money-Back Guarantee: If you're not satisfied with your server, you can get a refund within 7 days of your purchase.
Game Switching: You can switch between any games at no additional cost.
Pricing
ServerBlend offers a Standard plan ($18/month) and a Premium plan ($30/month). The premium plan provides more location choices and better/faster hardware. Player slots go up to 150 for $60.00/month (standard plan).
You can pay extra for:
SSD
RAM
CPU priority
Priority support
Sub-domain
Admin configuration/mod installation
Pros
7-day refund.
Unlimited game switching.
Low pings.
Free DDoS protection.
Over 13 data centers.
High-end processors.
Free daily backups.
Instant setup.
Cons
High minimum player slot (30).
Limited location options on the standard plan.
High starting price compared to competitors ($18/month).
Only available for Steam or Epic Games versions of ARK.
4. Fozzy: Best for Smaller Lobbies
Fozzy offers servers across 6 different locations and serves over 30,000 customers across the world. They’re made up of a team of experts, who can provide you with professional advice around the clock.
Key Features
Powerful Processors: Fozzy uses 5 GHz Intel Xeon E-2288G processors.
Automatic Setup: Servers are set up automatically within 10 minutes of purchasing.
Game Panel: Fozzy provides an intuitive game panel (called Pterodactyl) to make server management easy.
DDoS Protection: Fozzy protects against various types of attacks, including DDoS.
Pricing
Fozzy has three pricing plans available:
Dodo (10 slots, $10.98/month)
Allosaurus (50 slots, $48.98/month)
Titanosaur (150 slots, $130.98/month)
You can choose a short-term or long-term plan (from 1 month to 3 years).
Pros
Automatic setup.
User-friendly game panel.
Powerful hardware.
DDoS protection.
Professional customer support team.
Low minimum player slot (10).
3-day refund.
Cons
Limited player slot options.
Limited locations for starting plan.
Expensive prices for higher player slots.
5. Nitrado: Best for Convenient Server Management
Nitrado operates multiple global data centers, providing low latencies with high-end gear. Plus, their mobile app enables you to manage your server on the go and access important server functions.
Key Features
24/7 Support: Nitrado offers free 24/7 support via chat or email in seven different languages.
Game Switching: Switch between multiple games on the same server at no extra cost.
DDoS Protection: They use SteelShield™ for ultimate protection against cyberattacks.
Web Interface: Their web interface makes server configuration quick and easy.
Pricing
Nitrado has four available plans:
10 Slots ($16.19/month)
16 Slots ($20.99/month)
32 Slots ($39.49/month)
Customize (custom plan)
All plans come with automatic backups and are CrossARK-compatible. You can choose between 5 device platforms and 9 locations.
Pros
24/7 support in 7 languages.
Game switching.
Cheap prices.
Customizable plan.
Automatic backups.
DDoS protection.
Mobile app.
Cons
Limited run time options.
Limited options for the customizable plan.
High price per slot (over $1).
Conclusion
ARK is best played with friends, so many players choose to rent dedicated servers for the game. Since ARK has become a go-to game over the years, many hosting platforms now support it. The best server providers should offer all the necessary features, including high security and nearby data centers, just like Hostari.
At Hostari, we strive to make server configuration as easy as possible, so any ARK gamer can get it up and running in a matter of minutes.
Start your 24-hour free trial today to host your hassle-free ARK lobby with Hostari.
While you're here, check out why Hostari is also the best dedicated server hosting platform for Starbound!
