After 7 years and 258 updates in Early Access, SCUM launched v1.0 with its biggest update: a complete map rework across 5 biomes, armed intelligent NPCs, BattlEye anti-cheat, new vehicles (Seaplane, Sports Bike, Tractor), a full quest system and major performance optimisations. The v1.0 server files are available via SteamCMD (App ID 3792580). No Steam Workshop mod support yet — manual FTP modding only as of v1.0. Watch the roadmap for official mod tools.
SCUM is one of the most CPU-intensive survival games to host — its metabolism simulation, zone-based encounter system, vehicle physics and armed NPC pathfinding all compete for server resources simultaneously. The v1.0 launch brought a fresh wave of players and renewed community interest, making this a good time to set up a dedicated UK server. If you’re looking for context across the broader survival genre, our UK game server hosting overview covers 25 providers across all games — but this guide focuses specifically on SCUM, with verified node data, GBP pricing and the technical details that actually affect server performance.
SCUM tracks individual nutrients, calories, vitamins, minerals, hydration and temperature per player continuously. RPG-style skills level through use. Character attributes set skill ceilings. This persistent simulation per player means SCUM scales server load with both player count AND player activity in a way most survival games don’t.
The island is divided into danger zones Z0 (safe) through Z4 (extreme), with increasingly powerful enemies including mech sentries at higher zones. Player-triggered encounter spawning (new in v1.0’s intelligent encounter system) means active player movements dynamically load server-side AI — more unpredictable than fixed-spawn systems.
SCUMServer.exe is a 64-bit Windows binary. Linux hosting is not officially supported. Managed hosts run Windows Server — verify your provider does this rather than attempting Wine compatibility. ServerFPSLimit in config controls simulation tick rate: 60 is the community-recommended default for balanced CPU use.
SCUM’s PvP involves precise gunplay across a massive 225km² island. Hit registration, vehicle interactions and NPC response all happen server-side. A London UK node puts British players under 15ms. Frankfurt adds 35–60ms — noticeable in combat with the new armed NPCs and vehicle pursuit mechanics introduced in v1.0.
Best SCUM server hosting UK 2026
Ranked on UK/London node, hardware for SCUM’s multi-system simulation, DDoS protection, v1.0 readiness and GBP value. DatHost does not offer SCUM — top 3 is LOW.MS / Host Havoc / GTX Gaming.
LOW.MS
Gold Pick
🇬🇧 London UK
LOW.MS earns the top UK spot for SCUM through the combination of hardware quality, DDoS resilience and a 5-day refund that gives you meaningful time to test performance with your specific server configuration. SCUM’s v1.0 BattlEye integration means anti-cheat validation is now server-side — a feature that requires your host to correctly handle the BattlEye process alongside SCUMServer.exe. LOW.MS confirms BattlEye support on all SCUM plans.
Full FTP access for ServerSettings.ini editing and Saved folder management. Cloud backups critical for SCUM specifically: SCUM.db (the world database) accumulates player data over months and is difficult to reconstruct if corrupted. Auto-updates keep your server on the latest v1.0.x artifact. London UK node for sub-15ms to British players in PvP combat. From £8.12/mo entry.
- ✓ Ryzen 9 9950X + DDR5 — top hardware for SCUM simulation
- ✓ London UK — sub-15ms for British PvP community
- ✓ Corero 100Gbps inline DDoS protection
- ✓ BattlEye confirmed · FTP + RCON access
- ✓ Cloud backups (protects SCUM.db) · auto-updates
- ✓ 5-day refund · 4.8★ Trustpilot
- ✗ Not an official SCUM partner (G-Portal holds that)
- ✗ Fewer global locations than BisectHosting
Host Havoc
Silver Pick
🇬🇧 London
Host Havoc’s own physical hardware is specifically relevant for SCUM’s encounter system: when a squad of players enters a Z3 or Z4 zone and triggers a patrol spawn, NPC pathfinding and combat AI runs on the server simultaneously. On shared cloud infrastructure, CPU spikes from concurrent AI activation can trigger throttling. Host Havoc’s dedicated hardware doesn’t throttle on spike because resources aren’t shared with neighbouring servers.
At $2.50/slot (£1.85/slot), a 16-player server costs £29.63/mo and a 32-player server £55.49/mo — less competitive than RAM-based providers for smaller setups, but strong for mid-sized communities. Sub-10-minute support response, London UK node, NVMe SSD and automatic backups. 4.8★ from 1,515+ Trustpilot reviews.
- ✓ Own hardware — no CPU throttling on AI spawn events
- ✓ London UK · SCUM v1.0 specific documentation
- ✓ BattlEye confirmed · FTP + RCON
- ✓ 4.8★ from 1,515 reviews · <10 min support
- ✓ NVMe SSD · cloud backups
- ✓ from £7.41/mo entry (4 slots min)
- ✗ Per-slot pricing gets expensive at higher player counts
- ✗ 72h refund window
GTX Gaming
Bronze Pick
🇬🇧 London + Stockholm
Best budget UK
GTX Gaming runs SCUM on Windows Server 2022 — the correct OS for SCUMServer.exe — with DDR5 5.7GHz hardware that handles the simulation pipeline well. Their 28-location network includes London and Stockholm, giving UK and Scandinavian communities local node access. Their control panel provides full access to ServerSettings.ini, AdminUsers.ini and the Saved folder structure, including configuration tools for the raid time schedule (RaidTimes.json) and economy overrides (EconomyOverride.json).
From £5/mo entry with a 7-day refund, GTX Gaming is the most competitively priced UK-node option in our top 3. Good for small-to-medium UK SCUM communities looking to get a server online without overpaying, with the hardware quality to maintain stable performance during zone event spikes. BattlEye confirmed on all SCUM plans.
- ✓ DDR5 5.7GHz — handles SCUM simulation load well
- ✓ Windows Server 2022 · native SCUMServer.exe OS
- ✓ London + Stockholm UK nodes · 28 locations
- ✓ Full config access (ServerSettings.ini, RaidTimes, EconomyOverride)
- ✓ 7-day refund · 4.7★ (1,386 reviews) · BattlEye
- ✓ Competitive entry pricing from £5/mo
- ✗ Less SCUM-specific documentation than Host Havoc
- ✗ No official SCUM partner status
All SCUM providers compared — from our 25-provider panel
All prices GBP ($1=£0.741, €1=£0.865, 2026). 🇬🇧 = confirmed UK/London node. ⚠ = unconfirmed — verify directly. BattlEye = confirmed v1.0 anti-cheat support.
| # | Provider | GBP/mo | 🇬🇧 UK? | BattlEye | Trustpilot | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LOW.MS | £8.12 | ✅ London | ✅ Yes | 4.8★ (193) | Ryzen 9 9950X · DDR5 · 5-day refund · Corero DDoS | Visit → |
| 2 | Host Havoc | from £7.41 | ✅ London | ✅ Yes | 4.8★ (1,515) | Own HW · SCUM v1.0 blog · <10 min · $2.50/slot | Visit → |
| 3 | GTX Gaming | from £5 | ✅ London + Stockholm | ✅ Yes | 4.7★ (1,386) | DDR5 5.7GHz · Win Server 2022 · 7-day refund | Visit → |
| 4 |  GGServers | ~£4.45 | ✅ London | ✅ Yes | 4.6★ (3,407) | Budget UK · London node · NVMe | Visit → |
| 5 |  Gaming Deluxe | ~£10 | ✅ London · GBP | ✅ Yes | 4.5★ (82) | UK company · GBP billing · 5.0GHz+ DDR5 | Visit → |
| 6 |  BisectHosting | ~£8.89–13 | ✅ London | ✅ Yes | 4.8★ (25,348) | 21 locations · unlimited slots · 24/7 chat | Visit → |
| 7 |  Apex Hosting | ~£11+ | ✅ London + global | ✅ Yes | 4.8★ (8,054) | Unlimited slots · beginner-friendly · 7-day | Visit → |
| 8 |  Shockbyte | ~£7.41+ | ✅ EU nodes | ✅ Yes | 3.8★ (10,176) | 100% uptime SLA · AMD EPYC · 72h refund | Visit → |
| 9 |  G-Portal | ~£5.56/3 days | ✅ Frankfurt DE | ✅ Yes | 4.0★ (2,836) | Official SCUM partner · pay-as-go | Visit → |
| 10 |  Nitrado | ~£5–12 | ✅ EU nodes | ✅ Yes | 3.6★ (7,403) | Flexible pay-as-go · EU nodes | Visit → |
| 11 |  Survival Servers | ~£7.41–15 | ✅ EU nodes | ✅ Yes | 4.7★ (862) | Survival specialist · confirmed SCUM · custom panel | Visit → |
| 12 |  ScalaCube | ~£5.93 | ✅ UK + EU | ✅ Yes | 4.5★ (4,713) | Beginner-friendly · UK nodes · one-click setup | Visit → |
| 13 |  SparkedHost | ~£9.63 | ✅ EU nodes | ✅ Yes | 4.8★ (2,291) | Enterprise HW · 99.99% SLA · Apollo panel | Visit → |
| 14 |  Indifferent Broccoli | ~£12.59 | ⚠ Germany EU | ✅ Yes | 4.4★ (792) | Uncapped RAM pool · 7-day refund · EU | Visit → |
| 15 |  AleForge | £5.93 (8GB) | ⚠ US only | ✅ Yes | 4.9★ (139) | Cheapest/GB · US only · Ryzen 9 · 7-day | Visit → |
| 16 |  Hostinger | £7.03 | ✅ UK VPS | ⚠ Manual setup | 4.7★ (66k+) | VPS · root access · Windows Server option | Visit → |
| 17 |  4NetPlayers | ~£4.50 | ✅ EU | ⚠ Verify | 4.4★ (7,900) | Budget EU · long track record | Visit → |
| 18 |  GameServers.com | ~£5.93 | ✅ London | ⚠ Verify | 2.8★ (179) | London UK · older infrastructure · low rating | Visit → |
| 19 |  Godlike Host | ~£7.41 | ✅ EU | ⚠ Verify | 3.8★ (416) | EU nodes · verify SCUM support directly | Visit → |
| 20 |  Wabbanode | ~£8.89 | ⚠ Verify | ⚠ Verify | 4.7★ (42) | Modding focus · verify SCUM availability | Visit → |
| 21 |  Aim2Game | Contact | ✅ EU | ⚠ Verify | — | Concierge model · contact for SCUM availability | Visit → |
DatHost does not offer SCUM. G-Portal is the official Gamepires-partnered SCUM host (commercial arrangement — note 4.0★ vs our top 3). ⚠ = verify directly before ordering. Prices GBP, 2026. Epic Hosts, Grid Hosting, LevelUp Hosting and Grid Hosting do not offer SCUM.
SCUM server specs — RAM, CPU and storage by player count
SCUM is one of the most demanding survival games to host because its simulation isn’t just about player count — it’s about simultaneous systems load: per-player metabolism, encounter AI, vehicle physics, zone management and BattlEye validation all run concurrently. The v1.0 intelligent encounter system (replacing random puppet spawns) made NPC simulation more realistic but also more CPU-intensive when players enter active zones.
| Configuration | Players | Min RAM | Recommended | CPU Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small private (friends) | 4–16 | 8GB | 10–12GB | 4+ cores @ 3.8GHz+ |
| Active community server | 16–32 | 12GB | 14–16GB | 6 cores @ 4.5GHz+ |
| Full server (PvP/PvPvE) | 32–64 | 16GB | 20–24GB | 8 cores @ 4.5GHz+ |
| Z4 zone active + vehicles | 30–64 | 16GB | 24GB+ | High clock 5GHz+ preferred |
Note: SCUM uses 8GB RAM with zero players on Windows Server 2012 R2. As players join and simulation systems activate, memory grows substantially. Budget above the minimum at every tier.
SCUMServer.exe is a 64-bit Windows binary. Linux is not officially supported. Managed hosts run Windows Server — verify your provider does this. Do not use Linux/Wine installations for production SCUM servers.
ServerFPSLimit=60 in ServerSettings.ini is the community-recommended default. Setting higher (e.g. 120) significantly increases CPU usage without meaningful gameplay benefit. Lower (30) reduces load but makes the simulation feel sluggish. 60 is the right balance for most servers.
An NVMe SSD reduces zone loading times by approximately 30% compared to SATA SSD according to community benchmarks. SCUM’s 225km² island with 5 biomes means players regularly cross zone boundaries. Fast storage makes zone transitions imperceptible; SATA causes noticeable pauses.
Reducing spawn counts for unused vehicles in ServerSettings.ini directly reduces CPU load. V1.0 added a Seaplane, Sports Bike and Tractor. Each spawned vehicle adds to the physics simulation. Set vehicle spawns to match your community’s playstyle — unused spawns are wasted CPU budget.
Required server ports
SCUMServer.exe -log -port=7777 -MaxPlayers=64. Query port is always game port + 2 (7779 when game is 7777). Avoid ports 27020–27050 due to Steam conflicts. If running multiple servers on one machine, increment both ports: server 2 uses 7779/7781, server 3 uses 7781/7783, etc.ServerSettings.ini — key settings for a UK SCUM server
SCUM’s configuration file is located at SCUM/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ServerSettings.ini. All settings use the scum. prefix. The file is generated on first server run — start the server once with default settings before customising. As of v1.2.2, SCUM has 427 settings across 6 sections. Here are the settings that matter most for a UK community server.
The single most important performance setting. 60 is the community-accepted optimum — it caps the simulation tick rate at 60fps, balancing performance and smooth gameplay. Higher values use significantly more CPU without visible player benefit. If your server is running hot, try 45 during peak hours.
900 seconds (15 minutes) is default. Community servers often reduce this to 300–600 seconds for faster-paced play. Very low intervals (under 300) increase the frequency of loot recalculation and can noticeably impact server performance on busy servers.
PVP = full player-versus-player. PVE = no player combat. PVE-C = PvE with Conflict windows (raid times). Most UK community servers run PVP or PVE-C. Set raid windows via the separate RaidTimes.json file for PVE-C to define specific hours when base raiding is enabled.
Separate configuration file that defines when base raiding is enabled. Access via your host’s file manager or FTP. Set specific weekday/weekend windows (e.g. Fri–Sun 18:00–22:00 UK time) to balance PvP excitement with protecting players who can’t defend 24/7.
Controls trader inventory and pricing. Use the community tool at trader.scum-global.com to generate customised economy overrides. This allows you to adjust what traders stock and at what prices — a major quality-of-life feature for long-term community servers.
Grants admin access via Steam64 IDs. Located in the same directory as ServerSettings.ini. Add Steam64 IDs (one per line) to grant admin privileges. Admins can use in-game commands including god mode, teleportation and player management. Keep this file backed up — it’s easy to lose on server wipes.
SCUM’s unique server systems — what server owners need to understand
SCUM has several systems that are unique compared to other survival games, and they affect both how you configure your server and how you manage your community. Understanding them before launch prevents common configuration mistakes.
SCUM tracks each player’s calories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals individually. Food quality matters — not just quantity. This per-player simulation runs constantly server-side. On servers with higher player counts, the metabolic simulation contributes meaningfully to overall CPU load. You can tune food spawn rates and nutrition values via ServerSettings.ini to adjust the survival difficulty.
SCUM has RPG-style skills (Survival, Stealth, Rifles, Medical, etc.) that improve through use. Character attributes set skill ceilings. Fame Points are earned by killing players and puppets, completing quests and participating in events — they affect respawn options and visibility on the map. Server admins can enable/disable Fame Points and configure how they’re earned in ServerSettings.ini.
The island is divided into danger zones. Z0 = safe starter area. Z4 = extreme — mech sentries, military loot, maximum threat. The new v1.0 intelligent encounter system spawns enemies dynamically based on player activity and noise, replacing random puppet spawns. More realistic, but also more CPU-unpredictable than fixed spawns. Active Z3/Z4 zones with multiple players are your highest-simulation-load scenario.
SCUM has a configurable base raiding system controlled by RaidTimes.json — a separate config file that defines precisely when raiding is allowed. Most UK PvPvE servers configure weekend-only raid windows. UK server admins typically set windows during peak British playtimes (18:00–22:00 Friday–Sunday) to ensure fair raiding without offline griefing. Raid time windows are one of the most community-impactful settings you’ll configure.
SCUM v1.0 switched to BattlEye, replacing the older VAC-only approach. BattlEye runs server-side alongside SCUMServer.exe. Never launch production servers with -nobattleye — this flag disables anti-cheat and invites cheaters. BattlEye RCON port is configurable if you need admin tools integration. All managed hosts in our top 3 support BattlEye on SCUM.
SCUM stores all world state in SCUM.db — player characters, base data, inventory, skills, fame points and the world simulation state. This file grows over time and must be backed up regularly. On wipes, you empty the SaveFiles folder and SCUM.db is regenerated. After major patches, clear the Logs subfolder (post-wipe) to reduce database file size and improve query performance.
SCUM mod support — current state after v1.0
SCUM’s mod situation is one of the most commonly asked questions among new server owners in 2026. Here’s the definitive answer based on the current v1.0.x state.
- No Steam Workshop integration as of v1.0
- No official modding SDK or tools from Gamepires
- No one-click mod installation through managed host panels
- No guaranteed timeline from Gamepires for Workshop support
- Manual FTP-based mod installation (community mods)
- Server-side configuration customisation via 427 settings
- EconomyOverride.json for trader/loot customisation
- RaidTimes.json for raid window scheduling
- Dedicated server files giving foundation for future mod tools
- Community modding community is actively building toward this
Best UK SCUM host for your situation
Ryzen 9 9950X · DDR5 · London UK · BattlEye confirmed · Corero DDoS · 5-day refund · from £8.12/mo. Best hardware for SCUM’s multi-system simulation with the UK node and DDoS resilience to keep your community online.
Own hardware · London · SCUM v1.0 specific documentation · sub-10 min support · 4.8★. Best when zone event crashes, BattlEye configuration issues or SCUM.db problems need fast human resolution.
From £5/mo · DDR5 5.7GHz · Windows Server 2022 · London + Stockholm · 7-day refund. Best value UK-node option for small-to-medium SCUM communities looking to launch without overspending.
Official SCUM hosting partner · pay-as-go · Frankfurt DE. G-Portal holds the official Gamepires partnership. Note: 4.0★ Trustpilot vs our top 3 — this is a commercial partnership, not a quality endorsement. Frankfurt adds 35-60ms for UK players vs London.
One-click SCUM setup · UK nodes · beginner-friendly panel · 4.5★ (4,713 reviews). Best for first-time server owners who want a guided setup experience without managing ServerSettings.ini manually from day one.
UK-based company · GBP billing · London node · DDR5 5.0GHz+ · ~£10/mo. Best for UK communities wanting GBP invoicing, a British company to deal with, and London-native hosting.
EU nodes · SCUM confirmed · custom in-house panel · server pass locking · 4.7★ (862 reviews). Specialist survival game hosting with SCUM-specific support — good alternative for communities outside the UK preferring a survival-genre specialist.
Pay-as-go · EU nodes · flexible rental. For groups who only play SCUM occasionally and want to pay for exactly what they use without a fixed monthly commitment.
SCUM server hosting UK — frequently asked questions
-MaxPlayers=64 in the launch parameters or scum.MaxPlayers=64 in ServerSettings.ini. In practice, most UK community servers run at 32–48 players for the best performance balance — 64 players in active Z3/Z4 zones with vehicle activity creates significant server load. Size your plan based on your typical peak concurrent player count, not the theoretical maximum.SCUMServer.exe -log -port=7777 -MaxPlayers=64. If you change the game port, the query port automatically becomes that port + 2. Avoid ports in the 27020–27050 range due to Steam conflicts. If running multiple SCUM servers on one machine, increment both ports for each instance (server 2 uses 7779/7781, server 3 uses 7781/7783). Managed hosts configure these automatically — you only need to verify them if the server isn’t appearing in the browser.