Is Renting a Game Server Worth It? Cost vs Self Hosting

Renting a game server is worth it when your group plays at different times, the world must stay online without anyone's PC, or nobody wants to handle port forwarding and updates. Self hosting is free in software but not in practice: a PC left on around the clock can use 10 to 15 USD of electricity a month at typical US rates. Split between friends, a rented server often costs each person less than a coffee a month.

What does self hosting really cost?

The server software for most games is free. The costs are everything around it.

Electricity. A desktop running a game server idles and works at somewhere around 60 to 150 watts depending on the hardware. Take 100 W as a middle figure:

100 W x 24 hours x 30 days = 72 kWh a month
72 kWh x 0.15 USD = 10.80 USD
72 kWh x 0.20 USD = 14.40 USD

Check your own bill for your rate per kWh. A gaming PC with a big graphics card idles higher, and a small mini PC far lower.

Hardware. If the server runs on your main PC, it competes with your own games. If it runs on a spare machine, that machine has to have enough RAM: survival games like Palworld or modded Minecraft want 8 to 16 GB just for the server.

Time. Installing with SteamCMD, writing start scripts, forwarding ports, updating after every patch, restarting after crashes and making backups. An hour to set up, then a few minutes to an hour a week depending on the game.

Risk. Your home IP is shared with every player, an open port is exposed to the internet, and the world disappears if that one drive fails without a backup. See is hosting a game server at home safe.

What does renting a game server cost?

Rented servers are priced by memory, so the game decides the price more than anything. A few examples from our own plans:

Split four ways, a 9.99 USD server is about 2.50 USD each before payment fees. New customers get 50% off the first month on monthly plans, and yearly billing costs the same as 10 months. For more games, see how much a game server costs per month.

Self hosting vs renting: side by side

When is renting a game server worth it?

Renting pays for itself in convenience in these situations:

• People play at different times. Nobody has to leave their PC on for the night owl in the group.
• The host's PC is struggling with hosting and playing at once.
• The game benefits from always running, like a Palworld base whose Pals keep working, or a Minecraft server where farms keep going.
• You do not want to touch your router or share your home IP.
• The group is willing to split it. A shared cost makes even the bigger servers cheap per person. Our guide on splitting the cost of a game server explains how.

When is renting not worth it?

Be honest with yourself about these:

• You only play in planned sessions with the same 2 to 4 people. Co-op hosting from inside the game is free and works.
• You have a spare, efficient machine and enjoy setting up servers. Self hosting is a good hobby, and a low power mini PC keeps electricity down.
• The group plays for one weekend. Pay for a month only if you will use it, or self host for the short burst.
• You need something a host does not offer, like a game or mod loader it does not support. Check before you buy.

If you are not sure your group will stick with a game, monthly billing with no contract limits the downside. Our article on whether you need a dedicated server at all helps with the first decision.

What should you look for if you rent?

The cheapest plan is not always the best value. Things that matter more over a few months:

1. Enough RAM for the game and group. An undersized server lags and crashes.
2. Full file access through a file manager and SFTP, so you can upload worlds, add mods and download backups.
3. Backups, ideally taken automatically before game updates.
4. Easy upgrades and downgrades as the group changes.
5. No contract and a clear cancellation and refund policy.
6. What happens when you stop paying. Some hosts delete files quickly. Read what happens to your world when a subscription ends.

Our full checklist is in how to choose a game server host.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to host a game server yourself?

In cash, often yes, especially on hardware you already own and turn off when nobody plays. Once you count 24/7 electricity, your time and the risk to your home network, a small rented server split between friends is usually close in cost.

How much electricity does a home game server use?

A typical desktop left on all month uses around 40 to 110 kWh depending on its power draw. At 15 to 20 US cents per kWh, a 100 W machine costs about 11 to 14 USD a month.

Is it worth renting a Minecraft server?

For a group that plays at different times, yes. Bedrock servers are light and cheap to rent, while Java modpacks need more memory and cost more.

Can I cancel a rented game server anytime?

It depends on the host. With us there is no contract, you can cancel anytime, and new customers get a full refund within 72 hours of their first purchase.

Is renting better than a VPS for a game server?

For most groups, yes, because game hosting includes the control panel, updates and game specific setup. A VPS gives more freedom but leaves all the server work to you. See game server hosting vs a VPS.

The easy option

If renting fits your group, our servers are ready minutes after paying, include DDoS protection and 24/7 support from real people, and give you full file access with SFTP. Friends can split the bill with each person paying their own share from a link. Browse the games we host and compare plans on our pricing page.