7 Days to Die Server Hosting Cost: What to Pay in 2026

A 7 Days to Die server is free to self host, since the dedicated server software costs nothing, but you pay in electricity, a PC that stays on and setup time. Rented 7 Days to Die server hosting usually costs 2 to 3 USD per GB of RAM a month, so an 8 GB server runs about 20 USD a month.

How much does a 7 Days to Die server cost?

The honest answer depends on how you host it:

Option	Monthly cost	Online when the host is offline	Best for
In game co-op host	Free	No	Two or three friends playing at the same time
Dedicated server on your own PC	Free software, plus electricity	Only if the PC stays on	Tech comfortable groups with a spare PC
Rented game server	About 2 to 3 USD per GB of RAM	Yes	Groups that play on different schedules
Rented VPS	Varies, often more per GB for good CPUs	Yes	People who want to run Linux themselves

The software is never the cost. The Fun Pimps ship the dedicated server free on Steam as app 294420, and it needs no license. Every player still needs their own copy of the game.

Can you host a 7 Days to Die server for free?

Yes, two ways:

1. Host from your game. Start a game, set it to friends or public in the multiplayer options, and friends join you. It is free and takes a minute. The catch: the world only exists while you are playing, your PC runs the game and the server at once, and blood moon nights get heavy on the host's machine.

2. Run the dedicated server yourself. Install it with SteamCMD, edit serverconfig.xml, forward the game port (26900 by default) on your router, and leave it running. Our guide to making a 7 Days to Die server walks through every step. The catches:

Your PC has to stay on whenever anyone wants to play.
Port forwarding does not work at all if your internet provider uses CGNAT.
You handle updates, backups and crashes.
Your home upload speed limits how many players join smoothly.

Free hosting websites with no catch do not really exist for 7 Days to Die. The game needs at least 8 GB of RAM for a normal world, which is too expensive to give away, so free offers come with queues, sleep timers, tiny RAM or ads.

What does self hosting really cost?

Self hosting is free in software and not free in power. Work out your own number like this:

watts used / 1000 x 24 hours x 30 days x your price per kWh

As an example, a PC that draws 150 W around the clock uses 108 kWh a month. At 0.17 USD per kWh that is about 18 USD a month, close to the price of a rented 8 GB server. A small, efficient mini PC uses far less, and a gaming PC that also runs the server while you play uses more. Add the time you spend fixing it and the wear on your machine.

Self hosting is the better deal when the PC is on anyway, your power is cheap, and someone in the group enjoys running it.

How much RAM does a 7 Days to Die server need?

RAM is what decides the price of a rented server, so size it right:

Server	RAM
Vanilla, up to 8 players, Navezgane or a 6K random world	8 GB
Light mods, or 8 to 16 players	12 GB
Overhaul mods, 8K or bigger random worlds, 16+ players	16 GB

Random generated worlds, high zombie counts and overhauls such as Darkness Falls all push memory up, and fast single core CPU speed matters more than core count. Our general guide to how much RAM a game server needs explains why.

What should a 7 Days to Die server cost per player?

Divide the plan by your group. Here are our plans as an example:

Plan	RAM	Players	Price a month	Split 4 ways	Split 8 ways
Starter	8 GB	8	19.99 USD	about 6.00 USD each	about 3.50 USD each
Standard	12 GB	16	29.99 USD	about 8.50 USD each	about 4.75 USD each
Pro	16 GB	32	39.99 USD	about 11.00 USD each	about 6.00 USD each

Split prices include our 1 USD fee per share. New customers get 50% off the first month, so the first month of the 8 GB plan is 9.99 USD. Yearly billing costs 10 months for a full year.

What to look for when comparing hosts

Price per GB is only half of it. Before you pay, check:

CPU speed. Blood moons are CPU heavy. Ask what processor runs the server.
Real RAM, not "unlimited". A 7 Days to Die server with too little memory stutters every horde night.
Crossplay support. If friends are on PS5 or Xbox, the host must allow ServerAllowCrossplay, Easy Anti-Cheat and an 8 player cap. Our crossplay server guide lists the rules.
Version control. You want to pick a Steam branch for mods that lag behind the newest version.
Backups and contracts. Easy backups before every update, and cancel any time without a long contract.

Our guide to choosing a game server host has the full checklist.

Is GamezServers worth it for 7 Days to Die?

If your group plays at different times, yes, it is the cheapest way to have a world that is always there without anyone's PC on. Every plan includes one click backups, DDoS protection, 24/7 support and panel settings for the sandbox code, world, seed, crossplay and game version. Servers sleep after 4 days with nobody online and anyone with access can start them again. You can upgrade without losing the world and cancel any time. See 7 Days to Die server hosting.

FAQ

Is the 7 Days to Die dedicated server free?

Yes. The dedicated server is a free download through SteamCMD (app ID 294420). You only pay for the machine it runs on.

How much is a 7 Days to Die server a month?

Rented servers typically cost about 2 to 3 USD per GB of RAM a month. An 8 GB server, enough for a vanilla group of 8, is around 20 USD.

What is the cheapest way to run a 7 Days to Die server?

Hosting from your own game is free but only works while you play. For an always online world, splitting a small rented server between friends is usually cheapest.

Do my friends need to own 7 Days to Die to join?

Yes. Every player needs their own copy, on the same version as the server.

Is 8 GB enough for 7 Days to Die?

For a vanilla world with up to 8 players, yes. Go to 12 or 16 GB for big random worlds, overhaul mods or larger groups.