Memory by map
The ARK wiki lists each map's memory with nobody on; The Island used 4.8 to 6.5 GB in our own test, more than the wiki's figure. Each player adds about 50 to 150 MB, and mods and an old world add more.
| Map | To host | Empty server (wiki) | Plan on Flux |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Island | Free | 3.5-4.5 GB (4.8-6.5 GB measured) | 10 GB |
| The Center | Free | about The Island's | 10 GB |
| Ragnarok | Free | 4-5 GB | 10 GB |
| Valguero | Free | about Ragnarok's | 10 GB |
| Scorched Earth | DLC | about The Island's | 10 GB |
| Crystal Isles | Free | 5.5-6.5 GB | 14 GB |
| Fjordur | Free | 4-5 GB | 14 GB |
| Aberration | DLC | more than The Island | 14 GB |
| Extinction | DLC | more than The Island | 14 GB |
| Genesis: Part 1 | DLC | 5-6 GB | 14 GB |
| Lost Island | Free | 5.5-7 GB | 20 GB |
| Genesis: Part 2 | DLC | 10-12.5 GB | 20 GB |
CPU
ARK leans on one fast core for its main loop, with a second and third helping with saves, AI and mods. The wiki suggests about two cores per server; our plans give 3 to 5.
Hardware by plan
| Plan | CPU | RAM | Storage | Max players | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 GB | 3 vCores | 10 GB | 50 GB SSD | 20 | $6.49/mo |
| 14 GB | 4 vCores | 14 GB | 60 GB SSD | 40 | $8.99/mo |
| 20 GB | 5 vCores | 20 GB | 80 GB SSD | 70 | $11.49/mo |
Disk
The install is about 23 GB. A fresh world file is about 15 MB on The Island and grows with every structure and tame; the game keeps its own backup copies beside it, and mods add from a few MB to several GB.
Ports
Three UDP ports must be open: the game port (7777 by default), the next one (7778, which ARK binds itself), and the query port (27015) that the server list and Steam favourites ask. RCON (27020, TCP) is for admin tools and is best kept closed to the internet.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM does an ARK server need?
6 to 8 GB for The Island with a few players; Genesis Part 2 and Lost Island want 14 to 20 GB with players and mods. The map decides most of it.
What ports does an ARK server use?
UDP 7777 and 7778 for the game, and UDP 27015 for the query (server list). All three must be reachable.