Project ZomboidProject Zomboid Server Hosting Cost in 2026 (Build 42 and Mods)
What a Project Zomboid server costs per month for Build 42, how Workshop mods and map mods push the price up, per player costs, and the free hosting options.
Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 5 min read
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A Project Zomboid server costs about 15 to 30 USD a month on a hosted plan: 6 GB (14.99 USD) handles a small vanilla Build 42 group, 8 GB (19.99 USD) a group of up to about 12 with a few mods, and 12 GB (29.99 USD) a big mod list, extra maps or 12 to 32 players. Mods are what decide the bill. A server with 80 Workshop items and two map mods can need twice the memory of a vanilla one with the same players. Hosting it yourself is free in software but needs a PC left on with plenty of spare RAM.
Here is how to work out which tier you need, what it costs per survivor, and when the free options make sense.
Monthly cost by setup
| Your server | Plan | Monthly price | First month (new customers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla Build 42, up to 6 players | 6 GB | 14.99 USD | about 7.50 USD |
| Vanilla or a few mods, up to 12 players | 8 GB | 19.99 USD | about 10.00 USD |
| Big mod list or extra maps, 12 to 32 players | 12 GB | 29.99 USD | about 15.00 USD |
A year paid up front costs 10 months' price, so the 8 GB plan is 199.90 USD a year instead of 239.88 USD.
Why mods drive the price
Project Zomboid's server is a Java program, and everything it loads sits in memory: the map cells around every player, every zombie being simulated, every item in every container players have looted or built. Mods add to all of that:
- Map mods like extra towns add cells to load and stream.
- Vehicle and weapon packs add models, items and scripts.
- Big overhaul mods add systems that run every tick.
- Many small mods each add a little, and 50 small mods add up.
A rough way to budget: start at the plan for your player count, then move up one tier if you run more than a couple of dozen Workshop items or any map mods. Our Project Zomboid server requirements guide has the memory detail, and how to add mods to a Project Zomboid server covers setup.
Build 41 vs Build 42 cost
Build 42 brought new systems, a deeper world and more items, and servers use more memory than the same group did on Build 41. If your group is finishing an old Build 41 world on the legacy41 branch with few mods, the 6 GB plan goes further. If you start fresh on Build 42 with mods, budget for 8 GB or more. Read Build 41 vs Build 42 multiplayer to choose.
Cost per survivor
Project Zomboid groups are often 4 to 8 friends, which makes a shared server cheap per person. With a split bill on GamezServers, each person pays an even share plus a 1 USD fee per share:
| Plan | 4 players | 6 players | 8 players |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 GB (14.99) | about 4.75 each | about 3.50 each | about 2.87 each |
| 8 GB (19.99) | about 6.00 each | about 4.33 each | about 3.50 each |
| 12 GB (29.99) | about 8.50 each | about 6.00 each | about 4.75 each |
That is less per month than most people spend on a single snack run in Knox County, and nobody has to chase anyone for money.
The free options
Host from the main menu
Project Zomboid has a Host button on the main menu. It runs a server on your own PC while you play. It costs nothing, but:
- The world only exists while you are online.
- Your PC carries the game and the server at once, which is heavy with mods.
- Friends need you to forward UDP ports 16261 and 16262, or they cannot join. See how to port forward a game server.
Run the dedicated server on a spare PC
The dedicated server is free on Steam. On a spare machine it can stay up all day. You need enough RAM for the server plus the operating system, a decent upload speed, port forwarding, and someone to update the server and every mod after each patch. The memory is set in ProjectZomboid64.json under vmArgs, for example -Xmx8g. Our Project Zomboid hosting guide walks through it.
Electricity for a PC left on all month is real money too. The is renting a game server worth it guide has the math.
Ways to pay less
- Trim mods you do not use. Every unused Workshop item still loads.
- Lower the zombie population in sandbox settings if you do not need a horde. Fewer zombies means less to simulate.
- Restart regularly. A daily restart keeps memory from creeping up on long running servers.
- Start one tier lower and upgrade if needed. With prorated plan changes, moving up later only costs the difference for the days left.
- Split it. See the table above.
A Project Zomboid server on GamezServers
GamezServers Project Zomboid servers come in 6, 8 and 12 GB, with Build 42 or the Build 41 legacy branch as a server type you pick in the panel. Workshop mods and every sandbox setting from the server template are in the control panel, along with the file manager, SFTP, the live console and one click backups. It is live in about a minute after paying, has its own address so nobody forwards ports, and the world stays up when you log off. New customers get 50% off the first month. For Build 42 specifically, see our Build 42 server hosting page.
FAQ
How much RAM does a Project Zomboid server need?
6 GB for a small vanilla Build 42 group, 8 GB for up to about 12 players with some mods, and 12 GB for big mod lists or extra maps.
Is it free to host a Project Zomboid server?
The server software is free, and the in game Host option costs nothing. A server that stays online without your PC costs money, either in hardware and power or in hosting.
Do Project Zomboid mods make a server more expensive?
Yes. Mods add memory use, and map mods add the most. Large mod lists often need the next plan up.
How many players can a 6 GB Project Zomboid server hold?
Around 6 on vanilla Build 42. More players or mods need more memory.
Skip the setup. Your own Zomboid server.
Then $14.99/mo. Just trying it? $3.75 for 3 days