With hundreds of game server hosting companies out there, how do you choose the right one? Here's what actually matters.
Performance Metrics That Matter
Look for modern Ryzen or Intel Xeon processors with 3.5GHz+ clock speed, DDR4 or DDR5 RAM, M.2 NVMe SSD storage (not SATA), and 1Gbps+ network port speed. Red flags include vague hardware descriptions, outdated CPUs, and HDD storage.
Support Quality Indicators
Premium hosts offer 24/7 live support with under 30 minute response times for critical issues. Look for multiple channels like Discord, tickets, and phone support.
Pricing Red Flags
If hosting seems impossibly cheap, watch for oversold servers, hidden fees, no DDoS protection, or terrible support. Be careful of setup fees, control panel charges, backup costs, and IP change fees.
Essential Features
Must-haves include full FTP/SFTP access, automatic backups, instant setup, easy mod/plugin installation, and included subdomain. Nice-to-haves are free MySQL database, multiple server locations, and loyalty discounts.
Control Panel Quality
A good control panel should offer one-click mod installation, file manager, console access, scheduled tasks, and backup management. Popular options include Pterodactyl, TCAdmin, and Multicraft.
Server Location
Choose based on your player base. For UK players use UK datacenters. For EU players use UK, Germany, or France. Aim for under 50ms ping for local players.
Testing Before Committing
Take advantage of free trials and money-back guarantees. Test performance at expected player count, time support response, try installing mods, and test backup restores.
