Rent or self-host?
| Self-hosted | Rented on Flux | |
|---|---|---|
| Server software | Free from Steam | Included |
| Operating system | Windows, or Linux under Proton | Handled, runs under Proton in a container |
| Hardware | A machine on around the clock with 16 GB or more to spare | 16, 20 or 24 GB with dedicated vCores |
| Ports | UDP 7777 to open and forward | Opened and routed for you |
| Consoles | Add -ServerPlatform=ALL yourself | Crossplay on by default |
| Updates | Run SteamCMD again with the server stopped | Checked and applied by the server, with warnings to players |
| Admin console | Set up RCON and a client yourself | RCON tab in the dashboard |
| DDoS protection | Yours to arrange | Included |
| Cost | Electricity, bandwidth and a spare machine | From $11.99/month |
What a rented ARK server should include
- Enough memory. Anything under 16 GB is a server that struggles before anyone joins.
- Crossplay, if anyone in the tribe plays on PlayStation 5 or Xbox: consoles cannot host one themselves.
- Your own rates and rules, without hand-editing ini files under a running server.
- Mods from CurseForge.
- Admin tools: an RCON console for kicks, bans, broadcasts and saves.
- Your saves, downloadable whenever you want them.
The plans on Flux
| Plan | CPU | RAM | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARK 16GB (~10 players) | 4 vCores | 16 GB | 60 GB SSD | $11.99/mo |
| ARK 20GB (~20 players) | 5 vCores | 20 GB | 70 GB SSD | $13.99/mo |
| ARK 24GB (~40 players) | 6 vCores | 24 GB | 80 GB SSD | $15.99/mo |
We do not sell player slots. The figure on each plan is its starting Max Players, and you change it in Deployment Settings.
Bringing a world you already have
A world is the map's folder in SavedArks: the .ark file with the player and tribe files beside it. Zip that folder and upload it from the World section of the Backup tab. The dashboard stops the server, swaps your world in, keeps the one it replaced so you can roll back, and starts it again. Set Map in Deployment Settings to the same map first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent an ARK: Survival Ascended server?
On Flux, $11.99/month for 16 GB, $13.99/month for 20 GB and $15.99/month for 24 GB, with no contract.
Can I rent an ARK: Survival Ascended server for PS5 or Xbox?
Yes. Servers on Flux have crossplay on by default, so PlayStation 5 and Xbox players join from the in-game unofficial list.
Do I need to own ARK to run a server?
Not on the server: the dedicated server is a free download from Steam. You need the game to play on it.
Can I cancel at any time?
Yes. Billing is pay-as-you-go with no contract, and you can cancel or change plan from the dashboard.