Factorio is a beloved 2D building game where you can create automated factories with your friends and defend your builds against enemy raids. And like with most multiplayer games, you’ll need a shared game server to connect with your friends in-game.
Luckily, providers like Hostari offer high-end dedicated Factorio servers at affordable prices. Read on to find out more about the best Factorio server hosting platforms.
What Is Factorio?
Factorio is a cool 2D building game where you mine resources, build factories, and take on enemies that oppose your industrial empire. You can play solo if you want to, but what's even more fun is teaming up with friends in multiplayer and creating massive factories together.
Factorio also has a vibrant modding community. You do create custom maps using the built-in map editor or add custom scripts for custom features and gameplay.
Benefits of Using Factorio Server Hosting
Greater Server Control
Factorio server hosting provides you with more control over your gaming experience. You can choose who gets to join your lobby, ban problematic players, and configure game settings to suit your preferences.
Unlimited Customization
Hosting your own Factorio server allows you to personalize your game with custom mods or plugins of your choice.
Enjoy Useful Features
Factorio server hosting platforms offer a variety of useful features, such as DDoS protection and automated backups, to help enhance your gameplay and keep your data secure.
Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Factorio Server Hosting Platform
Minimum Server Requirements
Make sure you choose a Factorio server hosting provider that meets the game’s minimum requirements.
Here are the minimum system requirements:
Memory: 4 GB
Graphics Card: DirectX 10.1 (512 MB VRAM), GeForce GTX 260, Radeon HD 4850, or Intel HD Graphics 5500
CPU: Dual Core 3 GHz+
OS: Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista (64 Bit)
Storage: 3 GB
Number of Players
Factorio allows over 65,000 players on one server, so you’ll need powerful hardware specs when choosing a game hosting platform if you’re planning to have large lobbies.
Server Location
Pick a server that’s close to your location for higher connection speeds. The closer the server is, the lower the ping. You’ll also minimize chances of lag with better connection quality.
3 Best Factorio Server Hosting Platforms
Now it’s time to discuss the best Factorio server hosting platforms for lag-free gameplay. We go over each platform’s key features and pricing so you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Here’s a brief look at the platforms we’ll be discussing:
Hostari: Best for Seamless Server Configuration
Apex Hosting: Best for DDoS-Protected Networks
GTX Gaming: Best for Global Lobby Connections
1. Hostari
Best for Seamless Server Configuration
Hostari strives to keep your server configuration process hassle-free so you can focus on playing Factorio without worrying over logistics. Our Intel Core i9 9900K servers each have a minimum of 128 GB RAM to ensure your gameplay stays smooth and lag-free. We never oversubscribe our machines to minimize the chances of server overload.
Key Features
Instant Setup: We automate your server setup process so you can begin playing Factorio minutes after payment.
Custom Control Panel: Manage your server with ease using our intuitive control panel.
Automated Server Backups: Your servers get backed up automatically, so you never have to worry about losing your progress.
Global Data Centers: We provide data centers around the world, which includes the US and Brazil.
Access Controls: Customize your game server with mods, plugins, and maps of your choice.
Secure Servers: We keep our networks safe from high-caliber attacks, including UDP floods, DDoS, and source-engine query attacks.
Pricing
Hostari has three pricing plans available for Factorio:
Stone Furnace ($4.99/month)
Steel Furnace ($9.99/month)
Electric Furnace ($14.99/month)
After subscribing to our plans, you gain access to over 5 GB RAM and 20+ player slots. Every subscription also comes with 24/7 runtime, automatic server updates and backups, and on-demand chat support.
Pros
24-hour free trial (no credit card required).
Automated server backups.
Automated server updates.
Hassle-free configuration process.
Instant setup.
User-friendly custom control panel.
24/7 runtime.
Cheap prices.
Powerful hardware specs.
Global data centers.
High-level protection.
Cons
High minimum player slot.
No game switching.
Limited billing cycles (for Factorio).
2. Apex Hosting
Best for DDoS-Protected Networks
Apex Hosting offers advanced DDoS protection to keep your game servers safe from hackers. They also provide low latency and 24/7 uptime, ensuring your server stays up and running without any disruptions.
Key Features
Advanced DDoS Protection: Their threat mitigation system protects your server against attacks of up to 300 Gbps.
Instant Setup: Game servers are instantly set up and ready for you within minutes of purchase.
Control Panel: Use their custom web-based panel on mobile or PC to easily manage your server.
One-Click Modpacks: Download modpacks with a single click and change versions as many times as you’d like.
Pricing
Apex Hosting has a variety of plans for Factorio, with each one offering a different amount of GB RAM and a discount for the first month. Their starting plan comes with 1 GB RAM and unlimited player slots at a recurring price of $5.99/month.
Pros
Automatic backups & updates.
Advanced DDoS protection.
24/7 live chat & ticket support.
Premium hardware.
Full FTP file access.
Price discount for the first month.
Instant setup.
16 locations.
Unlimited player slots.
Cons
Limited upgrade options.
Low starting RAM (1 GB).
Modpack add-on not available on the cheapest plan.
3. GTX Gaming
Best for Global Lobby Connections
GTX Gaming has data centers in 20+ locations, which include Germany, the US, and Singapore. They update their hardware and DDoS protection every year to ensure you get the latest technology and high-quality service.
Key Features
Global Coverage: GTX Gaming has server locations in all regions of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the US.
DDoS Protection: They operate with the latest DDoS protection, making sure to consistently upgrade it for better security.
Full Offsite Game Server Backups: They create full server backups every day and move them off-site to keep you from losing your data.
Mobile-Compatible Control Panel: Access your server on the road with their mobile-optimized control panel.
24-Hour Customer Support: Receive customer support around-the-clock via Discord or tickets.
Pricing
Their cheapest plan costs $9.51/month for 30 players, 2 GB memory, and 100 GB disk space. You can also pay extra for various upgrades:
More player slots ($12.68 to $62.10)
NVMe hard disk ($6.33)
Higher CPU clock speed ($6.33 to $7.59)
CPU priority ($6.33 to $8.86)
Pros
One-click mod installations.
DDoS protection.
Full global coverage.
Offsite backups every day.
Hardware is updated annually.
24/7 support.
Automatic setup.
Mobile-compatible control panel.
Cons
Low starting amount of memory (2).
High minimum player slot.
Migration fees.
Expensive upgrades.
Conclusion
Factorio is a great building game to play with your friends, but you’ll need a shared server to connect to the same game world. Fortunately, platforms like Hostari provide you with high-quality game servers that are easy to configure. That way, you can focus on playing the game and forget the boring logistics.
Start your free trial today to boot up your Factorio server in just 5 minutes.
