Does a Game Server Need a MySQL Database? (And Should You Pay for One)

Most game servers do not need a MySQL database. The game saves its world to files, and most plugins store their data in local files or a built in SQLite or H2 database. You need MySQL or MariaDB when a framework requires it, which is the case for FiveM roleplay frameworks like QBCore, Qbox and ESX, or when several servers must share the same data, such as a Minecraft network syncing ranks across lobbies. If you do need one, a single small database should come with the server rather than cost extra.

Here is how to tell whether your server needs one, game by game, and what to do if your host charges for it.

What a database does on a game server

A database stores structured data that plugins or scripts look up and change often: player money, inventories, ranks, vehicles, bans, logs of who broke which block. Files can hold this too, and for a single server they usually do. A real database server like MySQL or MariaDB becomes useful when:

• The data is large and constantly queried, like an economy with thousands of items.
• Several servers need the same data at the same time.
• Outside tools, like a website or Discord bot, need to read the data.
• A framework was written to expect it.

Game by game

FiveM: a database is required for roleplay

Roleplay frameworks keep every character, bank balance, job, house and car in MySQL or MariaDB. The connection string goes in server.cfg:

set mysql_connection_string "mysql://user:password@host:port/database?charset=utf8mb4"

Scripts you add often ship with a .sql file you must import, using a tool like HeidiSQL. If the database is missing or the login is wrong, you see errors from oxmysql on startup. Our guide to oxmysql unable to establish a connection covers that error.

Minecraft: usually optional

On a single Paper or Purpur server, popular plugins work without MySQL:

• LuckPerms stores permissions in a local H2 database by default.
• CoreProtect logs to a local SQLite file by default.
• EssentialsX keeps player data in YAML files.

You only need MySQL when you run more than one server behind a proxy and want ranks, bans or economy to follow players between them. Then each plugin's config points at the same database, for example in LuckPerms' config.yml:

storage-method: MySQL
data:
  address: host:3306
  database: luckperms
  username: user
  password: password

For a single friends server, skip it.

When local storage starts to hurt

A few signs that a single server would benefit from MySQL:

• A logging plugin's SQLite file has grown to several GB and lookups lag the server.
• You want a web map, store or stats page to read live player data.
• You plan to add a second server soon.

What a database should cost

A small database uses very little: some memory for the database process and some disk. For a single game server, one database should be included in the plan. Charging extra for further databases is reasonable, since each one is more to run and back up. If a host charges for the first database on a game that requires one, add it to the plan price when you compare. Our guide on game server add ons that should be free covers the other common extras.

Running your own database

On a VPS or home server, you can install MariaDB yourself:

sudo apt install mariadb-server
sudo mysql_secure_installation

Then create a database and user for the server. Keep the port closed to the internet unless another machine must reach it, and back up with mysqldump on a schedule. A database counts toward memory too, so leave room for it on the same machine.

Backing up the database

A world backup that misses the database is only half a backup on FiveM. Make sure your backups include it, or export it yourself:

mysqldump -u user -p database > backup.sql

How it works on GamezServers

Every GamezServers FiveM server runs its own MySQL compatible database right inside the server, at no extra cost. It starts and stops with the server and is part of every backup. When you set up txAdmin and pick a QBCore, Qbox or ESX recipe, the database details are filled in for you, and you can see the login under Settings to import .sql files with HeidiSQL. For roleplay specifically, see our FiveM roleplay server hosting page. For Minecraft, plugins' local storage works out of the box on any plan.

FAQ

Does a Minecraft server need MySQL?

No, not for a single server. Plugins like LuckPerms and CoreProtect use local storage by default. MySQL helps when several servers share data.

Can I run FiveM without a database?

Yes, with the default CFX recipe and no framework. QBCore, Qbox and ESX need MySQL or MariaDB.

Is MariaDB the same as MySQL for game servers?

For game server use, yes. MariaDB is a fork of MySQL, and oxmysql, LuckPerms and others work with both.

Should I pay for a MySQL add on?

Only if your game needs one and the host does not include it. For most games, you do not need it at all.