How to Host a BeamMP Server (2026 Guide)

To host a BeamMP server, download the free BeamMP server from beammp.com, run it once to create ServerConfig.toml, and paste in an auth key from keymaster.beammp.com. Set Name, MaxPlayers, MaxCars and Map, open port 30814 on TCP and UDP, and set Private = false if you want it listed. Mod cars and maps go in Resources/Client, Lua plugins in Resources/Server.

What do you need to run a BeamMP server?

BeamMP is a community made multiplayer mod for BeamNG.drive. It is not made by BeamNG. Every player needs BeamNG.drive on Steam and the free BeamMP launcher. The server itself is a small program that relays positions and vehicle data, because all the soft body physics runs on each player's PC.

That makes the server light:

The real limit is on the players' side. Every car on the server is simulated by every player, so ten players with three cars each means each PC runs thirty soft body vehicles. That is why MaxCars matters more than server RAM.

How do I get a BeamMP auth key?

The server will not start without a valid key.

1. Go to keymaster.beammp.com and log in with Discord.
2. Open Keys and click the + button.
3. Give the key your server's name and create it.
4. Copy the key. Treat it like a password, and use a different key for each server you run.

If a key leaks, delete it in Keymaster and make a new one.

How do I install and start the server?

Windows:

1. Download BeamMP-Server.exe from the BeamMP website into its own folder, for example C:\beammp.
2. Install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable if Windows asks for it.
3. Run the exe once. It creates ServerConfig.toml and a Resources folder, then stops because there is no key yet.

Linux:

1. Download the build for your distribution from the BeamMP server GitHub releases.
2. Make it executable and run it once:

chmod +x BeamMP-Server-linux
./BeamMP-Server-linux

Replace BeamMP-Server-linux with the exact file name of the build you downloaded. Then edit the config and start it again.

What goes in ServerConfig.toml?

Open ServerConfig.toml in a text editor. The [General] section holds everything most servers need:

[General]
Name = "Friday Night Crashes"
Description = "Stock cars, no griefing"
Tags = "Freeroam,Racing"
AuthKey = "paste-your-key-here"
Port = 30814
MaxPlayers = 10
MaxCars = 2
Map = "/levels/west_coast_usa/info.json"
Private = true
LogChat = false
Debug = false
ResourceFolder = "Resources"

Save the file and start the server. The console prints an authentication success line when the key is accepted. The BeamMP server docs list every option.

Which maps can a BeamMP server use?

Any map that ships with BeamNG.drive works by its folder name:

For a modded map, put its zip in Resources/Client, open the zip to find the folder name under levels/, and use that name in the path. A typo in the folder name is the usual reason a server loads into an empty void.

How do I add mod cars and maps?

1. Download the mod as a .zip (from the BeamNG repository or a trusted creator).
2. Put the zip, unextracted, in Resources/Client.
3. Restart the server.

Players download everything in Resources/Client automatically when they connect, so keep the folder lean. A few hundred megabytes of mods means a long first join for everyone. Mods only run for players, so the server does not need BeamNG.drive installed.

How do I add Lua plugins and admin tools?

BeamMP's server console has basic commands, but in game admin tools come from Lua plugins in Resources/Server. Each plugin goes in its own folder:

Resources/
  Client/
    some_car_mod.zip
  Server/
    CobaltEssentials/
      main.lua

Popular choices:

• Cobalt Essentials: permissions, whitelists, bans and admin commands.
• BeamJoy: an all in one framework with races, admin menus and game modes.

Install one framework at a time, since two permission systems will fight each other. Restart the server after adding or updating a plugin and watch the console for Lua errors.

What ports does a BeamMP server need?

Only one: 30814 on both TCP and UDP, or whatever you set in Port. Forward both protocols to the server machine and allow them through its firewall. Our port forwarding guide has router steps. If friends can see the server in the list but get kicked straight away, the UDP rule is usually missing.

How do players join a BeamMP server?

1. Start the BeamMP launcher, which opens BeamNG.drive with multiplayer.
2. Open Multiplayer from the main menu.
3. For a public server, search by name. For a private one, use Direct Connect with the address and port, for example 203.0.113.10:30814.
4. Wait while mods download on the first join.

FAQ

Do players need to own BeamNG.drive?

Yes. BeamMP is a free multiplayer mod, but every player needs their own copy of BeamNG.drive on Steam and the BeamMP launcher.

How many players can a BeamMP server handle?

The server can go high, but past about 20 players most sessions struggle because every car adds load on every player's PC. Keep MaxCars low on busy servers.

Why is my server not in the BeamMP server list?

Private is still set to true, which is the safe starting value. Set it to false and restart, and check that the auth key was accepted in the console.

Why do players lag or teleport?

Too many cars for their PCs, not too little server RAM. Lower MaxCars per player first.

Can I use one auth key for two servers?

No. Make a separate key in Keymaster for each server.

The easy option: host it with us

BeamMP is one of the lightest servers to run, so the main reason to rent one is not keeping your own PC on and not forwarding ports. Our BeamMP hosting starts at 2.99 USD a month for 1 GB, with 2 GB and 4 GB plans for mod heavy and public servers. The panel takes your auth key, map, max players and cars per player, and you upload mods and plugins in the file manager or over SFTP. New customers get 50% off the first month, and the group can split the bill. For more, see the best racing games with dedicated servers.