In the past few years, more and more people have come to realise the potential of PC gaming. With the increasing popularity of online games, it is now easier than ever to play with your friends and strangers alike. However, this also makes PC gaming prone to hackers who want to take advantage of that connection and harm your game progress by luring you into a so-called “dedicated server.”
These dedicated servers are usually operated by third-party companies who charge monthly or yearly fees for their services. You might be thinking that these servers pose no threat to you because there are only a handful of them in the same area.
But that is where you would be wrong. In this article, we will explore what game servers do and some reliable hosting services for game servers.
What Are Game Servers Used For?
Game servers are hosting services that are intended for people to host and play games.
They have the ability to handle huge traffic, modify settings, seamless performance with SSD processors, to ensure that everything runs smoothly for their users.
The most important feature of game servers is that they can be accessed by multiple computer systems at the same time over a secure connection.
Which means, if someone invites you into their game, you will be able to join them regardless of where your computer is located.
You can invite your friends who might not be in the same area as you, and still play with them.
The 7 Best Hosting Services for Game Servers
- Hostari
If you’re looking for an excellent dedicated hosting that can provide you with all the capacity to run your game servers, then Hostari is the best option for you.
Hostari offers more than just server space; they also get all these free benefits like
- Automated server backups and update
- 24/7 running steam game
- 24/7 customer support
- Mod Curators and more
- Pricing starts as low as $13.00 per month
Hostari is one of the best hosting services on the market especially for gamers who have a low budget to spend.
- HostGator
HostGator is still one of the most reliable hosting options today.
Their servers are available at a low cost compared to Bluehost; their starting price is $2.75 and they have an easy-to-use interface that has been designed with game developers in mind.
They also provide 24/7 customer service which allows you to quickly get help when needed. Another great thing about HostGator is that they offer unlimited disk space, bandwidth, and email accounts for their users.
Additionally, Hostgator offers gamers free Google and Microsoft ads credit of $500 and $100 respectively for gamers to market their services.
All in all, HostGator is a reliable gaming server host for those looking for low-cost options
- InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting offers four hosting plans namely: Shared, WordPress, VPS and Dedicated hosting.
The VPS or dedicated plan which is ideal for gamers cost $20 and $140 respectively which is very expensive for gamers who yearn to have their own servers. They are trusted by many experienced gamers to be the leader in virtual hosting, which offers the most reliable and secure platforms for hosting game servers.
InMotion is committed to open source community & development with also a 90-day money back guarantee which makes it more attractive to experienced gamers.
- WP Engine
WP Engine offers a game hosting solution with dedicated servers and 24/7 customer support as well as built-in security features like malware protection, firewall blocks, and HTTPS encryptions.
You can also use it to launch your own website or blog at an affordable price.
Other benefits of WP Engine are its multi-server option, which allows you to host several different games on their platform at the same time.
This means you can run all of your games on different server locations, so no one person has access to all of your accounts.
Though expensive, there are WordPress’s flexible plan options, including the ability to create custom plans or turn individual features on or off as necessary.
- DreamHost
This company offers unbeatable prices and a reliable service that will meet the needs of even the most demanding gamers.
By using their services, you can have your own dedicated game server with some great features. For example, you could have your own game server to practice playing with others from around the world in a private gaming lobby.
You can also boast about your custom-built VPS to friends who are interested in joining without having to pay for a monthly subscription.
If you’re more of a creative type, then you can express yourself through different skins to show off what you’ve built in-game.
When it comes to choosing an affordable hosting service for your game servers, DreamHost is one of the best options available today.
- GoDaddy
GoDaddy is one of the ‘grandfathers’ for web hosting platforms. They are trusted by over 20 million individuals and businesses.
There are many reasons why this hosting service is ideal for those in need of a low-cost option without any contract.
One of these reasons is GoDaddy’s one-click installation process, which takes up to a few minutes. Another reason is their exceptional reliability and track record with no downtime ever recorded since 2008.
For beginners or gamers with little budget, Godaddy offers more freebies than any web hosting company. A great perk of this hosting company is that they offer a ridiculous domain name price which makes it ideal for gamers.
The downside is that their renewal fees are too expensive.
- Siteground
Siteground is one of the best hosting service providers with a flawless uptime of almost 100%.
They offer virtual private servers (VPS) that have just about everything you need to run a successful game server and they also offer other hosting plans as well.
Their VPSs are hosted in multiple locations around the world, meaning no matter where you are, you’ll always be connected to your server, which can greatly reduce lag on your site.
Another great feature of Siteground’s VPSs is the ability to create “virtual machines” which can be used to run large databases or applications that would normally require a lot of resources.
They also boast top-notch customer service and offer unlimited bandwidth and storage space with their services.
With Siteground’s low pricing strategy, it’s easy enough for small businesses to purchase an account without breaking the bank. Prices start at $4 per month for the startup plan, so anyone who wants to set up a dedicated game server can get started with minimal hassle and cost.