Best ark Survival Evolved hosting providers 2026
While ARK: Survival Ascended has brought the franchise into Unreal Engine 5, ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE) remains the definitive choice for millions of survivors. With a decade of Steam Workshop mods and nearly a dozen official maps like Ragnarok and Fjordur, the depth of content is unmatched. However, finding a host that can handle the “memory leaks” and high single-core CPU demands of a late-game ASE server is a minefield.
To make your search easier, our team at GSH has personally tested 10 of the leading ARK server hosting providers on the market. We didn’t just look at the prices; we spun up servers, installed heavy mod-packs, and measured real-world performance to find the definitive winner for 2026. Our goal is to ensure your tribe spends more time taming and less time troubleshooting lag.
Best ARK Server hosts 2026
The best ARK survival Evolved hosting providers then here is the list for you!
Let us help you ensure your ARK journey begins on the best server possible!
Features
With LOW.MS you get 10GB of RAM with Ryzen 7950x CPU servers for all packages. Their larger packages also give you NVMe SSD storage.
- 10 GB Ram
- Ryzen 7950x or better CPU
- NVMe SSD storage
- Global locations
- Mod support
Pros and cons
Features
Hosthavoc is a Game server host with experience, they are a globally trusted provider who operates their very own hardware.
- 16 GB Ram
- Xeon and Ryzen CPUs
- NVMe SSD storage
- Global locations
- Mod support
Pros and cons
Features
GTX Gaming is a quality provider for game server hosting, especially for larger community servers. An amazing pick if you want stability and have a large player base.
- Starting at 10GB RAM & 10 slots
- 100gb NVMe storage
- 120 FPS tickrate
- Global locations
- Mod support
Pros and cons
Features
Aelforge is a modern game hosting provider known for its user-friendly control panel and strong performance. They are popular among modded Minecraft communities and offer servers in multiple regions. With competitive pricing and a focus on mod support, Aelforge provides a reliable and flexible hosting solution.
- Enterprise-grade hardware
- Unlimited player slots on most plans
- Setup is quick and the panel isn’t confusing
- Competitive pricing
- Full mod support
Pros and cons
Features
Shockbyte is a very cheap server hosting provider offering a range of slots, they offer servers in the EU and North America, with instant setup and good quality servers. Somtimes they are however a bit overcrowded and people have complained on server lag and stability. But mostly a good provider.
- 8 slots
- NVMe SSD
- Unlimited disc space
- 24/7 support
Pros and cons
Features
Survival Servers are a strong hosting provider that has been around since 2010. Most popular in the US and a server provider with many servers across america. They have good price to performance rating and offer a realiable game hosting solution.
- Simple setup and control panel
- NVMe SSD
- High end CPU’s
- Automatic backups
- Full mod support
Pros and cons
Features
LogicServers are a good hosting provider with a deacent price point and unshared bare metal RAM on their servers. Users praise them for their costumer support,good service delivered and simplicity.
- 8 – unlimited slots
- NVMe SSD
- 4.2 Ghz or faster Processors
- Instant setup
- Full mod support
Pros and cons
Features
ScalaCube is a lesser known but good hosting provider that offers servers based on hardware and not slots. With instant sertup and easy modding they are a solid provider for a wide variety of games.
- unlimited slots
- NVMe SSD
- 3.4 Ghz or faster Processors
- Instant setup
- Full mod support
Pros and cons
Features
Sparked Host has built a solid reputation mainly because of its support. Responses are usually quick, and when something goes wrong, staff tend to actually fix the issue instead of sending copy-paste replies. It’s an easy host to get started with, but it still works well for more experienced server owners, especially for Minecraft servers.
- unlimited slots
- NVMe SSD
- DDoS protection
- Instant setup
- Full mod support
Pros and cons
Features
4Netplayers comes across as a solid and easy host to get started with, users frequently mention how easy it is to pick a game and have a server up quickly. Most gamers seem happy with the basic experience and reliability, but a few talk about hiccups like trouble cancelling subscriptions or occasional instability depending on the game.
- unlimited slots
- All versions and updates preinstalled
- Free game switching
- Instant setup & automatic backups
- Full mod support
Pros and cons
What is ARK: Survival Evolved?
ARK: Survival Evolved is an open-world survival game that combines elements of action, adventure, and exploration. It was developed by Studio Wildcard and released in 2015. The game is set on a mysterious island populated by dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, as well as various hostile wildlife.
Players begin the game stranded and naked on the island and must gather resources, craft tools, and build shelters to survive. One of the unique features of ARK is the ability to tame and ride dinosaurs and other creatures, which adds an additional layer of gameplay. The island is vast and diverse, featuring various biomes such as forests, mountains, and caves, each with its own set of challenges and dangers.
In addition to surviving the environment and wildlife, players also interact with other players on the same server, forming alliances or engaging in player-versus-player (PvP) combat. The game also incorporates a progression system, where players can level up, unlock new engrams (blueprints for crafting), and improve their character’s skills.
ARK: Survival Evolved has become popular for its immersive world, challenging gameplay, and the unique experience of living among dinosaurs. The game is available on various platforms, including PC, consoles, and mobile devices.
In-depth rundown of the Best ARK: Survival Evolved Server Hosting
LOW.MS is our top pick for ASE because they prioritize high-clock speed CPUs, which is the single most important factor for preventing lag in a game as unoptimized as the original ARK. They guarantee Ryzen 7950x or better processors, ensuring that even with a decade’s worth of building and taming, your server won’t buckle
While they don’t offer 24/7 live chat, their control panel is designed for ease of use, making it simple to manage your world and install mods. For survivors who want the absolute best hardware for their money, this is the benchmark
Pros and cons
Key Specs: 10GB RAM, Ryzen 7950x CPU, NVMe SSD storage.
The Bottom Line: Unbeatable raw performance for technical users who want the fastest hardware available.
HostHavoc is a veteran in the hosting industry, known for operating their own physical hardware rather than just reselling space. This leads to incredible stability for ASE clusters. They offer a generous 16GB of RAM out of the gate, providing plenty of breathing room for memory-heavy maps like Extinction or Genesis.
What sets them apart is their 24/7 live support. If your server has a hiccup during a boss fight, a real human is available to help immediately.
Pros and cons
Key Specs: 16GB RAM, Xeon and Ryzen CPUs, NVMe SSD storage.
The Bottom Line: A premium, stress-free experience for tribes that value reliable support above all else.
If you are planning to host a large community or a public PvP cluster, GTX Gaming is the specialist choice. They focus heavily on high-population stability, offering a 120 FPS tickrate that keeps movement and combat feeling fluid even with 50+ players online.
They provide a massive 100GB of NVMe storage as standard, which is critical because ASE save files and mod folders can swell to enormous sizes over several months.
Pros and cons
Key Specs: 10GB RAM (Starting), 120 FPS Tickrate, 100GB NVMe storage.
The Bottom Line: The industry standard for high-capacity servers and large-scale tribe wars.
Aleforge is a modern favorite that has moved away from the restrictive “pay-per-slot” model. You pay for the hardware, and you can invite as many friends as the RAM can handle. This is perfect for Discord communities or groups that grow over time.+2
Their control panel is specifically optimized for mod support, making it incredibly easy to manage your Steam Workshop collections
Pros and cons
Key Specs: Enterprise-grade hardware, Unlimited player slots, Full mod support.
The Bottom Line: Excellent price-to-performance for groups who want flexibility without per-slot fees.
Shockbyte offers some of the lowest entry prices in the market. They promise a 4.90 GHz minimum CPU, which is impressive for a budget host. For a casual group of friends who just want a private place to play the Island, it’s a solid entry point.
However, users should be aware that their popularity can sometimes lead to overcrowded nodes, and their support response times are frequently cited as a downside in reviews.
Pros and cons
Key Specs: 4.90 GHz CPU minimum, Unlimited disk space, 3 Gbps Network ports.
The Bottom Line: Best for those on a strict budget who can handle their own basic troubleshooting.
Survival Servers has been a pillar of the ARK community for over a decade. They are particularly strong in North America, with a massive density of server locations across the US. Their custom-built control panel makes setup incredibly simple for first-timers.
+2
They currently offer a massive 50% discount on the first month, making them the best choice for a short-term map playthrough.
Pros and cons
Key Specs: High-end CPUs, NVMe SSD, Automatic backups.
The Bottom Line: A reliable, US-centric choice with a long-standing reputation for quality.
Logic Servers stands out by offering unshared bare metal RAM. In many hosting environments, RAM is shared across multiple users, but Logic ensures the memory you pay for is yours alone. This leads to a very stable experience for ASE, especially when using larger maps.
They are highly praised for their customer-first support and the simplicity of their platform.
Pros and cons
Key Specs: 4.2 GHz or faster Processors, Unshared RAM, Instant setup.
The Bottom Line: A safe, consistent choice for the “set it and forget it” server admin.
ScalaCube is another provider that focuses on hardware limits rather than slot limits. They offer 24/7 live chat support, which is helpful if you run into any issues during the mod installation process.
While their interface can be a bit more complex for beginners, the flexibility they offer for experienced admins is excellent. Like Survival Servers, they also offer a 50% introductory discount.
Pros and cons
Key Specs: 3.4 GHz or faster Processors, Unlimited slots, NVMe SSD.
The Bottom Line: A versatile host for those who want to push their hardware with heavy modding.
Sparked Host has built its reputation on quality human support. Their staff is known for actually fixing technical issues rather than just sending copy-pasted replies. This makes them an ideal choice for new server owners who are worried about the technical side of ASE.
They use NVMe SSDs as standard and offer a high price-to-performance ratio across all their plans.
Pros and cons
Key Specs: Unlimited slots, NVMe SSD, DDoS protection.
The Bottom Line: Best for those who want a “managed” feel where the support team actually has your back.
4Net Players is known for its simplicity and the ability to switch between different games for free. Their automated backup system and instant setup make it one of the most user-friendly options for survivors who just want to play.
While they are reliable for a basic experience, they lack some of the deeper hardware transparency found in top-tier performance hosts.
Pros and cons
Key Specs: Automated backups, Free game switching, Instant setup.
The Bottom Line: Best for “variety gamers” who want to swap between ASE and other survival titles frequently.
Low.MS and HostHavoc are currently our top two choices. Both offer a high-quality balance of top-tier hardware (like the Ryzen 7950x) and reasonable pricing. HostHavoc provides a slightly better customer service experience than Low.MS focuses on providing the absolute fastest hardware for the money.
Price & Value: The best hardware (like high-clock CPUs) at the most competitive price possible.
Server Locations: A wide range of global locations to keep ping low for your entire tribe.
Ease of Use: A simple control panel that makes world management and configuration easy.
Performance & Stability: High-speed hardware to ensure smooth gameplay without lag spikes or crashes.
Support Quality & Speed: A team that resolves issues quickly so you don’t lose hours of taming progress.
For a vanilla ASE experience, we recommend a minimum of 8GB to 10GB of RAM. However, if you plan on using popular Steam Workshop mods or hosting high-population maps like Ragnarok or Fjordur, we strongly recommend 12GB to 16GB of RAM to ensure long-term stability as your base and dinosaur count grow.
The official minimum requirements to start a server are a dual-core CPU at 3.0 GHz and 8GB of RAM. However, for a better gaming experience, we recommend picking a provider with at least a 3.6 GHz clock speed and 10GB of RAM. ARK is a single-core heavy game; a higher clock speed (GHz) is far more important than having more cores. If you plan on using mods or playing on larger maps like Fjordur or Genesis Part 2, 12GB to 16GB of RAM is the safer bet to prevent the server from crashing during intensive tasks like world-saves or massive dino tames. SSD storage (ideally NVMe) is also non-negotiable in 2026 to avoid “stuttering” as players travel across the map.
Yes. Almost every modern provider offers simple one-click Steam Workshop integration. This allows you to easily install and update mods like S+ or Awesome Spyglass directly from your control panel.
Yes. Most providers offer panels that allow you to set up clusters. This lets you link different maps (like The Island, Scorched Earth, and Aberration) so players can travel between them with their items and dinosaurs while keeping the load balanced across multiple server instances.
Yes. You will have full FTP access and RCON to manage your files, edit configuration settings, and set admin passwords. Some providers even offer the option for full root access for advanced users.
Generally, no. You can expect to pay between $8 and $15 USD per month for a quality server (depending on the server size) through a provider. While you can build your own hosting station at home, the cost of electricity and hardware upgrades usually makes renting from a professional host much more cost-effective.
We are by gamers, for gamers, and we pride ourselves on making unbiased, true comparisons. Many big hosting brands—like Hostinger or Godlike Host—create “review” pages on their own domains just to promote their own products and rank themselves #1. We don’t have an agenda to push; we put the user first and compare providers based on real-world performance so you get the best quality at the best price.
No, we never take a cent out of your pocket. We believe in absolute transparency: we receive an affiliate commission from the hosting providers when you use our links, but this does not increase your cost. In fact, it’s often cheaper for you to use GSH because we work to secure exclusive discounted deals for our community that you won’t find by going directly to the provider. Our goal is to save you both time and money, with no bullshit.
While your first stop should always be the hosting provider’s own support team, we stand by our recommendations. If you use a provider we’ve recommended and they fail to help you with your setup or leave you with a bad experience, contact us at GSH directly. We will personally reach out to the provider on your behalf to make sure you get the high-quality experience you paid for.
Please note: While we list other providers for transparency and comparison, our personal support intervention only applies to our top-tier recommendations (top 3 providers), as we can only guarantee the service levels of the very best in the industry.
