VPS for Game Servers: Host Smooth, Low Latency & Fast Gameplay in 2025

Key highlights 

• Know how VPS for game servers provides dedicated resources, root access and lower latency for smooth multiplayer gameplay. 
• Learn which popular games like Minecraft, Rust and ARK run best on VPS and what specs each one requires. 
• Explore the key features to look for in a game-ready VPS, including high RAM, NVMe SSD storage and global server locations. 
• Understand the full setup process for launching your own game server using Linux or Windows, SteamCMD and port configurations. 
• Uncover why Bluehost VPS is a trusted choice for gamers, offering performance, scalability, 24/7 support and strong DDoS protection. 

Online games should feel smooth, fast and reliable. But if you’ve ever hosted a game server for friends and faced lag, unexpected disconnections or crashes, you’re not alone. It is usually not your game’s fault. It’s your hosting setup. 

A VPS for game servers solves this by giving you your own private environment with more resources, power and zero interruptions from other users. Think of it like building your own game server on a dedicated cloud-based computer that works even when your PC is off. 

Whether you run Minecraft, Rust or a custom Survival Evolved world, this guide shows how a virtual private server (VPS) can improve your hosting, reduce latency and give you full control. 

Let’s start with what a VPS actually is and how it compares to other ways of hosting game servers in 2025. 

What is VPS for game hosting? 

A VPS server is a virtual partition of a dedicated server that operates like your own private computer in the cloud. It provides you with RAM, CPU cores and disk space that are never shared with other users or random websites. 

Compared to shared hosting, it offers better performance, higher speeds and full root access to manage your game server setup. You can customize settings, install mods, open ports and control everything from operating system to resource limits. 

Whether you choose Linux for control or Windows Server for compatibility, you get a platform built for smooth gameplay. 

Also read: VPS & Dedicated Hosting: Root WHM 

Why should gamers choose Bluehost VPS hosting? 

At Bluehost, we’ve designed our VPS hosting to meet the unique demands of game server hosting. Whether you’re managing a private Minecraft world or running a full Rust clan server, our platform delivers the performance and control you need for seamless gameplay. 

Here’s what makes our VPS hosting gamer-friendly: 

• High RAM and CPU power to handle intensive game mechanics, high player counts and real-time world generation without lag. 
• NVMe SSD storage for lightning-fast data access, helping reduce in-game loading times and keeping server performance snappy. 
• Strong DDoS protection to shield your game environment from malicious traffic and ensure reliable uptime for all players. 
• Full root access so you can install custom mods, tweak server configs and run scripts without restrictions. 
• Global data centers to deliver low-latency connections, no matter where your players are located. 

Ready to level up your game server experience? 

Choose our VPS hosting and take full control of your gameplay with power, speed and security built for gamers. 

Why should gamers choose VPS over traditional hosting? 

If you’ve hosted games before, you already know the pain of lag, restarts or limits on player count or control. Traditional setups like peer-to-peer hosting or shared hosting often crash, freeze or block key features your game server depends on. A VPS for game servers gives you stable power, better performance and total control over how your games are hosted. 

• Low latency and faster performance 
• Full modding and configuration freedom 
• Always-On Uptime and 24/7 Access 
• Scalable RAM and CPU for Growing Servers 

Let’s break down the biggest advantages that matter to gamers in 2025. 

1. Low latency and faster performance 

No one wants to lag during a PvP match or while building Minecraft; lag kills gameplay. A VPS server ensures fast response times by delivering private access to CPU, RAM and global data centers to give low latency gaming. This reduces your ping, lowers interruptions and keeps your game running at optimal performance during high-traffic sessions. 

2. Full modding and configuration freedom 

A shared host usually limits access to files, ports or scripts. This subsequently restricts what you can do with your server.  

With a virtual private server, you can run mods, create backups and install custom plugins without needing permission or facing restrictions. 

Bluehost VPS gives you full root access and a clean environment to install or tweak any game server software you want. You can run different games, switch engines or test features across Linux or Windows operating systems with no limits. 

3. Always-on uptime and 24/7 access 

Want your gaming world to live in even when you’re not online? That’s not possible with a home-hosted or peer system. With a VPS, your own game server stays live around the clock, thanks to reliable infrastructure and DDoS protection. 

At Bluehost, our VPS plans provide consistent uptime with fast NVMe SSD storage and monitoring, ensuring your games are always accessible. 

4. Scalable RAM and CPU for growing servers 

As your community grows, so do your hosting needs. More players mean more memory, processing and storage demand. A VPS server allows for easy upgrades, adding more power, bandwidth or disk space without requiring reinstalling or losing data.  

Whether you’re hosting large Minecraft builds or a Survival Evolved world, scalable VPS plans keep your server future-ready. 

Which games run smoothly on a VPS? 

A powerful VPS for game servers gives you the freedom to host everything from indie sandbox games to complex survival engines. You’re not restricted to a single game setup. A game hosting VPS lets you run multiple titles, apply custom configs and scale as needed. 

The table below shows key games that run well on a virtual private server, along with what kind of VPS server tier you’ll need. 

Game	Minimum specs (RAM/CPU)	VPS tier needed
Minecraft (Java & Bedrock)	2–4 GB RAM, 1+ core	4–8 GB VPS with NVMe SSD
Rust	6+ GB RAM, 2+ cores	8–12 GB VPS, NVMe SSD, DDoS protection
ARK: Survival Evolved	8+ GB RAM, 3+ cores	High-RAM VPS (16+ GB)
Valheim	2–4 GB RAM, 1–2 cores	4–8 GB VPS with root access
Terraria	1–2 GB RAM, 1 core	Entry VPS, 2–4 GB RAM
Custom Unity/Unreal games	Varies by engine	VPS with custom config & flexibility

1. Minecraft (Java & bedrock) 

One of the most popular use cases for a game VPS. Minecraft servers need stable RAM, good disk space and low latency. You’ll want 4–8 GB of RAM, especially if you’re using mods, plugins or larger multiplayer maps. 

For example: A Minecraft server owner switched to VPS from shared hosting and saw 45% fewer crashes and 3x faster mod loading, especially during peak weekend play. 

2. Rust 

The Rust servers are resource-intensive and often support dozens of players simultaneously. A VPS game server for Rust should have at least 8 GB RAM, solid clock speeds and strong DDoS protection to prevent attacks. 

3. ARK: Survival Evolved 

The ARK: Survival evolved game demands power. Expect high RAM usage and heavy CPU loads due to graphics and world simulation. Choose a high-RAM VPS (16+ GB) with room to upgrade and enough bandwidth to handle big player spikes. 

4. Valheim 

Valheim is less intensive but still benefits from reliable performance, especially with friends in different locations. 4–8 GB of RAM, root access and Linux configuration flexibility work well for stable hosting. 

5. Terraria 

Terraria is a lightweight game. You can host it on a small VPS server with just 2–4 GB of RAM. It’s a great example of how entry-level VPS plans still offer massive gaming experience improvements over peer hosting. 

6. Custom Unity or Unreal games 

Custom games vary widely for Unreal Engine and Unity players. Some need minimal specs; others demand high RAM and CPU. Select a virtual private server that offers flexibility to configure Linux or Windows, open ports and scale according to test results. 

What features should a game-ready VPS include? 

 Not every VPS is suited for gaming. Hosting a game server requires a virtual environment that delivers speed, stability and customization. 

Let’s look at the must-have features your game VPS should include before you commit to any host. 

1. Minimum 8GB RAM and NVMe SSD storage 

Games like Rust, Minecraft and Survival Evolved consume memory quickly, especially when using plugins or with high player counts. Opt for a VPS with at least 8GB RAM and NVMe SSD storage to ensure smoother world loading.  

NVMe SSDs reduce file load times and help games boot faster, improving every player’s gaming experience with better performance. 

2. Global server locations for optimized ping 

The closer your game server is to your players, the lower the latency and that means less lag. A host with multiple data centers helps you choose the best location for your community or friends worldwide. 

At Bluehost, we offer globally distributed VPS infrastructure to keep your ping low and sessions stable. 

3. Root access for modding, scripts and backups 

Gamers want flexibility. Whether you’re adding mods, running backups or changing ports, you need root access. With full access, you can configure files, install software and create your own game tweaks across Linux or Windows Server.  

A VPS server gives you control to install custom launchers or test gameplay changes before pushing them live. 

4. High bandwidth and solid uptime SLAs 

Multiplayer games send and receive lots of data. You need high bandwidth and no throttling, especially during peak hours. Look for VPS plans with strong DDoS protection, consistent speeds and uptime backed by real service-level agreements (SLAs).  

This ensures your own game server stays online, even when traffic spikes or your mods crash the system. 

Also read: Secure VPS Hosting with Advanced DDoS Protection 

Use-case checklist: Must-haves for game hosting VPS

• Minimum 8GB RAM and NVMe SSD storage 
• Global server locations for low latency 
• Full root access for modding and scripting 
• High bandwidth with no throttling 
• Strong DDoS protection for game stability 
• SLA-backed uptime for 24/7 hosting 

How to set up a game server on your VPS (step-by-step)? 

Setting up your own game server might sound complex, but with a VPS, it’s simpler than you think. 

1. Pick your operating system 
2. Install game server software or SteamCMD 
3. Configure users, ports, mods and backups 
4. Share IP, run stress test and go live 

Here’s how to get started in four clear steps. 

1. Pick your operating system (Linux or Windows) 

Choose Linux if you want speed, flexibility and free tools. Most VPS users prefer Ubuntu or CentOS for game hosting. If your game supports only Windows Server, use that instead. It’s ideal for Unreal-based games or Windows-only titles. 

At Bluehost, our VPS plans support both Linux VPS and Windows OS, depending on what your game server needs. 

2. Install game server software or SteamCMD 

 Use your terminal (for Linux) or Remote Desktop (for Windows) to install the required game server files. For many online games, you can use SteamCMD, a free command-line tool for setting up servers. Upload the server files manually or run install scripts, depending on your game and operating system. 

3. Configure users, ports, mods and backups 

Set up admin users, open required ports (usually TCP and UDP) and enable any mods you want to run. Use root access to edit config files, run backups or apply server tweaks that affect gameplay. Make sure your firewall settings and bandwidth limits are properly managed to avoid connectivity issues. 

4. Share IP, run stress test and go live 

Once installed, share your public IP address with players and test the server under load. Invite friends, run a session and monitor CPU, RAM and disk space usage to check for slowdowns. If everything works smoothly, your multiplayer game server is ready for launch. Congrats, you now host your own dedicated game world on a reliable, scalable VPS. 

Why is Bluehost a smart choice for game server hosting? 

Choosing the right VPS host is just as important as setting up your game server correctly. That’s where we at Bluehost come in. Our game-ready VPS hosting provides you with power, flexibility and reliability, with zero guesswork and full support. 

Here’s what makes our platform a smart pick for hosting game servers in 2025. 

1. Built for performance 

Our plans start with 4 vCPU cores and 8 GB DDR5 RAM, plenty for games like Minecraft, Rust or Valheim. You also get 200GB NVMe SSD storage for fast file access and smooth gameplay even under high user loads. 

2. Unlimited bandwidth and 99.99% uptime 

Every Bluehost VPS plan comes with unmetered bandwidth and 99.99% uptime backed by strong infrastructure and data center redundancy. That means less downtime, better ping and an always-available world for your users and friends. 

3. Full access, admin tools and add-ons 

We include full root access, plus a cPanel license, so you can configure, monitor and manage every part of your server. You also get two dedicated IPs, which is ideal if you’re running multiple games or handling modded ports. 

Beyond the basics, Bluehost also gives you integrated domain management and optional add-ons for backups with AI website builder and professional email, everything you need to build and grow your gaming community in one place. 

4. Easy migration and full support 

Already hosting your server elsewhere? Use our free site migration tool to switch with zero data loss or delays. Need help? Our 24/7 VPS support team is ready to assist, whether it’s setup, port configs or security. And if you change your mind? Try us risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Whether you’re new to VPS or ready to upgrade, we’ve built our plans to match real gamer needs, not just web hosting. 

Final thoughts 

If you want fast, stable and flexible game server hosting, a shared or home setup just won’t cut it anymore. A VPS for game servers gives you the freedom to configure, scale and optimize your world, without lag or downtime. 

With root access, high RAM, global locations and low latency gaming, your multiplayer sessions stay smooth and always online. Bluehost provides reliable, gamer-friendly VPS plans designed to deliver the performance and control real players expect. 

Whether you’re hosting Minecraft, Survival Evolved or a custom Unreal Engine title, we’ve got the resources and support to power your setup.  

Ready to host smooth multiplayer sessions? Try Bluehost VPS gamer-optimized plans with root access, global data centers and 24/7 support. Get Started with Bluehost 

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