Are you sick of how much it costs and how hard it is to keep up a dedicated game server? Upkeep costs a lot, needs to be done all the time, and requires technology know-how—problems many gamers face.
These problems can make games less fun and more stressful. Fortunately, there are many good options for dedicated game servers that work, are reliable, and are easy to use without all the hassle.
This blog will examine 15 options for improving your gaming experience. Read on to learn how to play games better without dealing with a central server.
What Are Dedicated Game Servers?
Definition and Function
A dedicated game server is a specialized server used exclusively to host online multiplayer games. Unlike shared servers, a dedicated gaming server provides dedicated resources, ensuring a stable and consistent gaming experience with minimal latency.
This setup is vital in games requiring real-time data synchronization, such as Counter-Strike, Minecraft, or ARK: Survival Evolved.
Advantages
Dedicated gaming servers offer several benefits:
- Enhanced Performance: These servers have dedicated resources such as high-speed NVMe SSDs and powerful Ryzen or other processors, which reduce latency and improve the responsiveness of multiplayer games.
- Greater Control: Gamers can configure the operating systems, install necessary mods, and adjust server settings to their preferences via a control panel provided by the hosting provider.
- Reliability: High uptime and robust DDoS protection ensure uninterrupted online gaming sessions, which is crucial for casual and competitive gaming.
- Scalability: Whether you’re looking to host a small private server for friends or a large one for hundreds of users, game server hosting services offer scalable solutions that can grow with your needs.
Top Alternatives to Dedicated Game Servers
1. WP Engine
Source: WP Engine
WP Engine provides specialized WordPress hosting that guarantees speed, security, and scalability. Whether you’re running a small blog or a large enterprise website, WP Engine’s managed services ensure your site performs optimally.
WP Engine stands out as a premium hosting provider with cutting-edge technology and a focus on WordPress-specific solutions. It makes managing WordPress websites effortless and effective.
- Specialized hosting for WordPress sites.
- Speeds up load times dramatically.
- Optimizes content based on the user’s location.
- It keeps your site secure with HTTPS.
- Ensures data safety and easy recovery.
- Test changes without affecting the live site.
- Access to expert help at any time.
View WP Engine pricing plans here.
2. Hostinger
Source: Hostinger
Hostinger offers affordable web hosting with excellent performance. It is user-friendly and perfect for beginners. Most plans include a free domain and SSL. Hostinger has fast loading times and reliable uptime. Its control panel is easy to navigate.
The company provides 24/7 support. Hostinger is a great choice for personal and small business websites.
- One-click WordPress installation
- Weekly backups
- Custom-built control panel
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Optimized for speed and performance
- Multiple data centers
- Comprehensive knowledge base
View Hostinger pricing plans here.
Need help with your website? Get expert assistance via live chat or email. Say goodbye to long waits – we will resolve any issues in under 3 minutes.
3. Cloudways
Source: Cloudways
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform designed for simplicity and performance. It offers cloud servers from top providers like AWS and Google Cloud. Cloudways excels in scalability and flexibility.
Cloudways features a user-friendly interface with powerful tools. It is known for its speed and reliability and supports multiple applications. Cloudways also provides excellent customer support. It’s perfect for businesses seeking robust cloud hosting.
- Managed Cloud Hosting
- Choice of Top Cloud Providers
- Pay-as-You-Go Pricing
- 24/7 Expert Support
- Free SSL Certificates
- Automated Backups
- Advanced Caching for Speed
View Cloudways pricing plans here.
Save time & money with simple and reliable cloud hosting trusted by 80,000+ agencies, developers, and businesses that demand high performance from their websites!
4. Webflow
Source: Webflow
Webflow is a web design tool and hosting platform that empowers designers to build responsive websites visually. It offers a powerful CMS and intuitive interface. Webflow provides robust design capabilities without code.
Its hosting is fast and reliable. You get seamless integration with various tools. Webflow is perfect for designers and developers. It’s a top choice for creating custom websites.
- Visual development platform
- SEO-friendly tools
- Custom interactions and animations
- Automatic SSL certificates
- Flexible CMS
- E-commerce capabilities
- Regular updates and new features
View Webflow pricing plans here.
Take control of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a visual canvas. Webflow generates clean, semantic code that’s ready to publish or hand to developers.
5. Hostwinds
Source: Hostwinds
Hostwinds is a web hosting provider offering reliable and affordable services. It provides various hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated servers. Known for its excellent customer support, it ensures a smooth hosting experience.
Hostwinds also boasts high uptime and fast speeds. It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes. Easy to use and scalable, it adapts to growing needs. It’s a top choice for web hosting solutions.
- 24/7 Customer Support
- 99.9999% Uptime Guarantee
- Free Website Migration
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Customizable VPS Plans
- DDoS Protection
- Affordable Pricing
View Hostwinds pricing plans here.
Hostwinds stands by its 99.9999% promise because we are entirely redundant. Our redundancy means we always have a back-up plan to ensure our hosting services remain running, regardless of the reason.
6. WPMU DEV
Source: WPMU DEV
WPMU DEV is a one-stop shop for WordPress site management, offering a suite of tools designed to optimize, secure, and manage multiple sites easily. Its comprehensive plugin library extends functionality, while automated performance checks keep your sites running smoothly.
Known for its superb customer service and community, WPMO DEV helps you maintain top-notch WordPress sites without hassle.
- Access to a wide array of plugins for enhanced site functionality.
- Keeps tabs on your site’s speed and uptime.
- Regular scans to identify and fix vulnerabilities.
- Updates plugins and themes automatically.
- Offer services under your brand.
- Includes fully managed WordPress hosting.
- Round-the-clock access to WordPress experts.
View WPMU DEV pricing plans here.
7. GGServers
Source: GGServers
GGServers offers powerful game server hosting, perfect for Minecraft and other games. It provides high performance, easy setup, and a reliable network. You get great support and affordable pricing.
GGServers ensures low latency and a seamless gaming experience. Its user-friendly control panel makes management easy. Players love its mod and plugin support, making it a top choice for gamers.
- DDoS protection for enhanced security
- One-click modpack installation
- 24/7 customer support
- Multiple server locations worldwide
- Customizable server plans
- Instant server setup
- Automated backups
View GGServers pricing plans here.
8. Kinsta
Source: Kinsta
Kinsta is a managed WordPress hosting provider known for its speed and reliability. It uses the Google Cloud Platform for optimal performance. Kinsta’s dashboard is intuitive and user-friendly.
The platform offers robust security features. Its support team consists of WordPress experts. Kinsta provides automatic daily backups. It’s ideal for businesses looking for hassle-free hosting.
- Free site migrations
- Automatic scaling
- Advanced caching system
- Hack fix guarantee
- Global content delivery network (CDN)
- Multi-user environment
- Detailed analytics and insights
View Kinsta pricing plans here.
9. ApexHosting
Source: ApexHosting
ApexHosting stands out in Minecraft server hosting, providing powerful tools and exceptional performance. It simplifies the setup process, allowing you to start your server almost instantly.
ApexHosting guarantees 99.9% uptime, ensuring your gaming experience remains uninterrupted. It offers extensive mod support and an easy-to-use control panel, making it a top choice for novice and experienced gamers.
- Servers are up and running in seconds.
- Protects your game data regularly.
- Ensures your server remains safe from attacks.
- Access to hundreds of modpacks with simple installation.
- Full FTP access is required to modify your server.
- Round-the-clock support for any issues.
- Includes a free domain name to personalize your server.
View ApexHosting pricing plans here.
10. Streamline Servers
Source: Streamline Servers
Streamline Servers provides reliable game server hosting with impressive performance. It supports a wide range of games and offers a user-friendly interface for easy management.
Streamline Servers ensure low latency and high uptime. They also offer excellent support and competitive pricing, making them a preferred choice for many gamers. Streamline Servers deliver a seamless gaming experience.
- Global server locations
- Advanced DDoS protection
- Full FTP access
- Instant setup
- Custom control panel
- Automatic updates
- Comprehensive knowledge base
View Streamline Servers pricing plans here.
11. GoGaming
Source: GoGaming
GoGaming delivers top-notch game server hosting for various popular games. It ensures high performance and low latency. The platform is easy to set up and manage. You get strong DDoS protection. GoGaming provides excellent customer support and is known for its competitive pricing. Gamers appreciate the smooth and lag-free experience.
- Customizable server settings
- Instant server deployment
- High-performance hardware
- 24/7 monitoring
- Multiple game support
- User-friendly control panel
- Regular updates and patches
View GoGaming pricing plans here
12. Pantheon
Source: Pantheon
Pantheon revolutionizes website management, making it easy for developers and businesses alike. This platform is engineered for agility, ensuring rapid deployment and high performance.
With Pantheon, you can streamline your workflow, enhance collaboration, and easily maintain a secure environment. It’s known for its scalability, perfect for websites of all sizes.
- Integrates with continuous integration tools for smooth updates.
- Utilizes advanced caching and CDN technologies.
- Easily handles traffic spikes and growth.
- Allows staging, development, and live environments.
- Robust security measures, including automated backups and SSL support.
- Offers a suite of developer tools for performance monitoring and testing.
- A comprehensive support system to assist with any issues.
View Pantheon pricing plans here.
13. SiteGround
Source: SiteGround
SiteGround is a leading web hosting service known for its top-notch performance. It offers various hosting solutions, including shared, cloud, and dedicated hosting. SiteGround stands out with excellent customer support and security features.
SiteGround’s services are highly reliable and have fast loading speeds. It’s easy to use and ideal for both beginners and professionals. SiteGround also offers free daily backups. It’s a trusted name in web hosting.
- Free Daily Backups
- SuperCacher Technology for Speed
- 24/7 Expert Support
- Enhanced Security with AI
- Free SSL Certificates
- Easy WordPress Integration
- 99.9% Uptime Guarantee
View SiteGround pricing plans here.
14. Vendasta
Source: Vendasta
Vendasta is a comprehensive platform designed to empower agencies and marketers to provide top-notch digital solutions to their clients. It integrates seamlessly into your existing business, offering tools for managing, marketing, and selling digital products and services.
Vendasta’s white-label solutions are ideal for scaling, ensuring you can grow your offerings without the overhead. Choose Vendasta for a partnership that enhances your digital strategy.
- Customize your branding.
- Access to a vast range of digital products.
- Streamlines client acquisition and engagement.
- Simplifies client interactions and service delivery.
- Offers detailed insights for informed decision-making.
- Manage your services and clients on the go.
- Facilitates team and client collaboration efficiently.
View Vendasta pricing plans here.
15. G2 Deals
Source: G2 Deals
G2 Deals is a platform for finding the best software deals and discounts. It helps users compare prices and features, making it easy to find top-rated software at competitive prices.
Trusted by many, it offers unbiased reviews. The platform is user-friendly and efficient, helping businesses save money. G2 Deals is a go-to for smart software shopping.
- Unbiased User Reviews
- Price Comparison Tool
- Exclusive Discounts
- Wide Range of Software Categories
- Real-Time Deal Alerts
- User-Friendly Interface
- Comprehensive Product Information
View G2 Deals pricing plans here.
Limitations of Dedicated Game Servers
Cost Concerns
While offering numerous advantages, dedicated game servers can be prohibitively expensive. The costs associated with maintaining high-end hardware, securing sufficient bandwidth, and ensuring continuous data center operations can accumulate, making it a less viable option for budget-conscious gamers.
Complexity in Management
Operating a dedicated gaming server requires technical acumen, particularly in server configuration and Linux systems. Gamers must regularly update software, manage security patches, and troubleshoot various issues that may arise.
This level of involvement can be daunting for those who prefer a straightforward gaming experience without the complexities of server management.
Game Server Hosting Platforms
Managed Gaming Services
For those intimidated by the technical demands of dedicated game server hosting, managed game hosting platforms like AWS offer a simpler alternative. These platforms provide comprehensive game server hosting solutions with user-friendly game panels that facilitate easy management without the need for extensive technical knowledge.
Comparison With Dedicated Servers
Managed hosting services often include automated setups for popular games like Minecraft, Valheim, and ARK and offer features such as pre-configured mods, TeamSpeak integration, and customizable server locations.
While these platforms may share some resources (which can affect gameplay quality compared to a fully dedicated server), they balance this by offering competitive uptime, scalability, and lower costs. They also handle much backend work, including updates to operating systems and server security, allowing you to focus solely on your game.
Final Thoughts
We’ve explored 15 excellent alternatives to dedicated game servers, each offering unique benefits to elevate your gaming adventure. Whether you’re looking for cost-efficiency, ease of use, or scalability, there’s an option that meets your needs. Now that you understand your choices better, take your game hosting to the next level.
If you’re intrigued by how these solutions can be seamlessly integrated and managed, don’t forget to check out our extensive articles on Network Configuration Management Tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Peer-to-Peer (p2p) Networking be an Alternative to Dedicated Game Servers?
Yes, P2P networking can be an alternative to dedicated game servers. In P2P, players’ devices communicate directly with each other, eliminating the need for a central server. However, P2P may have limitations in terms of scalability and reliability.
How Does Cloud Gaming Service like Google Stadia and Amazon Luna Differ from Dedicated Game Servers?
Cloud gaming services like Google Stadia and Amazon Luna run games on remote servers and stream the video and audio to players’ devices. This eliminates the need for players to have high-end hardware or set up their servers. However, it requires a stable and fast internet connection.
Are There Any Open-Source Solutions for Setting up Your Own Game Server?
Yes, there are open-source solutions like Minecraft Server, srcds (Source Dedicated Server), and SteamCMD that allow users to set up their own game servers.
Can Virtual Private Servers (VPS) Be Used to Host Game Servers?
Yes, VPS can be used to host game servers. They offer more flexibility and control compared to shared hosting but may require more technical knowledge to set up and manage.
Can a Home Computer Be Used to Host a Game Server for a Small Group of Players?
Yes, a home computer can be used to host a game server for a small group of players. However, it may have limitations in terms of performance, internet bandwidth, and availability.
