ARK: Survival Evolved has taken the gaming world by storm, providing players with a unique sandbox of dinosaurs, mystical creatures and primitive survival mechanics. However, hosted on peer-to-peer servers, ARK can suffer from stability issues, lack of control and risky security.
This guide will explore the benefits of ARK game server hosting, comparing 15 of the top dedicated server providers in 2023 based on hardware, features, locations and pricing. We‘ll also offer tips for choosing the right hosting plan tailored to your needs and budget, whether you‘re playing solo or leading a massive tribe!
Let‘s get started.
Why You Need ARK Server Hosting
Dedicated ARK servers enable a smooth, lag-free multiplayer experience by offloading the resource demands from player devices. This avoids stability issues and game-breaking glitches when one player inevitably disconnects or crashes.
With ARK hosting, your server will stay online 24/7 regardless so friends can jump in and play anytime. You‘ll have the power to mod maps, change in-game settings, install plugins and customise the experience to your heart‘s content with full admin rights!
Other key perks include:
- Performance – No more lag even on populated servers with high specs available.
- Control – Ban troublesome players, roll back in case of issues and shape your ARK world.
- Security – Enterprise protection from DDOS attacks which can plague peer-to-peer games.
- Reliability – Guarantee of 99.9% uptime as servers are monitored 24/7.
Let’s explore some top ARK hosting providers that deliver on these promises.
Our Top ARK Server Hosting Picks
Now let‘s explore our top 8 ARK server hosts in more detail:
1. Shockbyte – Best for Mod Support
Famous for its powerful hardware and extensive mod support, Shockbyte tops our list for ARK hosting…
Key Criteria for Choosing an ARK Host
With so many options available, use this buyer‘s checklist when evaluating hosts to meet your needs:
Budget – How many slots you need and monthly costs that fit. More players need more resources!
Performance – CPU cores, high RAM and SSD storage for a lag-free experience, even with 100+ players.
Support – Knowledgeable 24/7 customer service via live chat and ticketing for a helping hand when issues arise.
Security – Strong DDoS protection provided to defend against attacks that loot and destroy servers.
Control Panel – Easy to use with one-click mod installs, stat tweaking and map switching for quality of life.
Uptime SLA – 99.9% uptime guarantee ensures players can access servers whenever they want.
Backups – Offsite backups shield against data loss if hardware fails or the server is corrupted.
Refund Policy – Generous refund window to test if the host meets your standards.
Getting Started with Your New ARK Server
Once you’ve selected your preferred ARK server host, follow this checklist to launch your server smoothly:
- Select hardware – CPU cores, RAM and storage. This impacts how many players and mods you can support lag-free. Can upgrade later!
- Pick server location closest to your physical location for lowest latency and lag-free gameplay.
- Choose mods & maps – Extensive customisation options available through Steam Workshop.
- Set Game Rules – Increase taming speeds, harvest stats etc so gameplay matches your vision.
- Invite Friends – Send them your server info so they can join the fun!
- Install monitoring so you get alerts if the server crashes, hits max memory or goes offline unexpectedly so you can address issues rapidly.
Optimizing & Troubleshooting Your ARK Server
Even with the best hosting, ARK servers can still encounter issues from time to time that degrade gameplay for you and tribe members.
If you find your server lagging excessively despite strong hardware, here are some tips for optimizing performance:
- Reduce view distance so there‘s less load rendering environments.
- Disable fog, shadows, terrain shadows and unlimited draw distance which drain resources.
- Use low texture/resource mods to ease memory strain.
- Ensure you have sufficient CPU cores and RAM – ARK recommends 1GB of RAM per server slot!
- Set up automatic low memory restarts at 3-6am when fewest players online to clear caches.
For other common server issues, consult your host‘s comprehensive FAQ site and engage 24/7 customer service to assist resolving problems rapidly.
Through selecting the right ARK server hosting provider and optimizing your in-game server settings, you‘ll be able to deliver an immersive, lag-free experience for both new tribe members and seasoned warriors!
