Best ARK Server Hosting 2026

ARK is one of the most demanding games to host and needs significant RAM to run smoothly. This page covers hosting for both ARK: Survival Evolved (the original) and ARK: Survival Ascended (the UE5 remake).

Quick Comparison

Host	Starting Price	RAM	ARK: SA Support
Shockbyte	~$14/mo	8GB	Yes
ScalaCube	~$12/mo	8GB	Yes
GGServers	~$14.99/mo	8GB	Yes
BisectHosting	~$15/mo	8GB	Yes

ARK: Survival Evolved vs ARK: Survival Ascended

ARK: Survival Ascended (the UE5 remaster) requires significantly more resources than the original:

Version	Minimum RAM	Recommended RAM
ARK: Survival Evolved	6GB	8GB
ARK: Survival Ascended	12GB	16GB

If you’re running ARK: SA, budget for at least 12GB RAM — $20-30/mo at most hosts.

## Shockbyte Shockbyte supports both ARK versions with instant provisioning and DDoS protection. One of the more affordable options for ARK: Survival Evolved. ~$14/mo for 8GB RAM

Pros

- Supports both ARK: Evolved and ARK: Ascended - Affordable entry price - DDoS protection included - 24/7 support

Cons

- ARK: Survival Ascended may need a higher-tier plan for smooth performance Best for: ARK: Survival Evolved, small to medium tribes. Start an ARK server with Shockbyte →

## ScalaCube ScalaCube provides ARK hosting with easy server configuration and Steam Workshop mod support at a competitive price. ~$12/mo for 8GB RAM

Pros

- Cheapest 8GB ARK option - Easy Steam Workshop mod installation - Supports 100+ games

Cons

- ARK support less specialized than some hosts Start an ARK server with ScalaCube →

## GGServers GGServers is a solid option for ARK with reliable uptime and easy Steam Workshop mod support. ~$14.99/mo for 8GB RAM

Pros

- Reliable uptime - Easy mod management - Responsive support

Cons

- Fewer server locations than larger hosts Start an ARK server with GGServers →

ARK Server RAM Guide

Players	ARK: Evolved RAM	ARK: Ascended RAM
1-10	6GB	12GB
10-30	8GB	16GB
30-70	12GB	24GB
70+	16GB+	32GB+

Mods add to RAM usage significantly. Each major mod can add 0.5-1GB.

FAQ

How much does ARK server hosting cost? ARK: Survival Evolved hosting starts around $12-15/mo for 8GB RAM. ARK: Survival Ascended needs 12-16GB minimum, which costs $20-35/mo.

Can I run ARK mods on a hosted server? Yes. Most hosts support Steam Workshop mods with one-click installation through the control panel.

What map should I start with? The Island is the best starting map — smallest resource footprint and best for new players. Ragnarok and Aberration need more RAM.

How many players can an ARK server support? Most private servers cap at 20-70 players for good performance. Public servers with 100+ players need dedicated hardware.

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