DayZ Server Hosting Cost in 2026 (Per Month and Per Player)

A DayZ server costs about 20 to 40 USD a month in 2026, depending on player count, map and mods. On GamezServers it is 19.99 USD for 8 GB and 20 players, 29.99 USD for 12 GB and 40 players, and 39.99 USD for 16 GB and 60 players. Split between friends, that is a few USD each.

What makes a DayZ server cost what it does?

Memory is the main cost driver for DayZ, followed by how many players you want online together.

• Mods add a lot of memory. Vanilla Chernarus is comfortable on 8 GB. A typical mod stack built on Community Framework and DayZ Expansion pushes that to 12 GB.
• Players and persistence. Every player, vehicle, base part and stash is tracked by the central economy. A 60 player server with lots of bases needs headroom.
• Map size. Nasdara, coming with Badlands on the planned 15 October 2026 date, is 267 km², the largest official map. Bigger maps load more of the world into memory.
• Restarts and updates. DayZ servers want regular restarts and updates for every game patch and mod, which is work you either do yourself or pay a host to handle.

How much does a DayZ server cost per month?

Our DayZ plans, in USD per month:

New customers get 50% off the first month, so Standard starts at about 15 USD. Yearly billing costs the same as 10 months if one person pays. Every plan includes backups, DDoS protection and 24/7 support, and you can cancel any time.

Which DayZ plan do I need?

Pick by mods first, players second.

You can move between plans at any time from Settings. It is prorated and applies after a restart, and your world, mods and configs stay. Our best DayZ server mods list notes which mods are heavy.

How much does a DayZ server cost per player?

Split the bill with up to 10 people. Each share adds a 1 USD fee.

Each friend pays their own share by card through their own link, and if someone drops out, the remaining shares go up but never above the full price. If you are a new customer, your friends also get the first month discount. See how to split the cost of a game server with friends.

Can you host a DayZ server for free?

You can run the server software for free on your own PC. DayZ has no built in co-op hosting, so every multiplayer world with friends runs on a dedicated server. The DayZ server (Steam app 223350) is free, but self hosting costs in other ways:

• A Steam account that owns DayZ to download the server files through SteamCMD, and to download Workshop mods.
• Hardware. 8 GB of RAM just for a vanilla server, 12 GB or more with mods, on top of whatever your own game needs if you play on the same PC.
• Electricity. A PC drawing 150 W around the clock uses about 108 kWh a month. At 0.15 USD per kWh that is about 16 USD, at 0.30 USD per kWh about 32 USD. Running it only while you play cuts that, but then friends cannot play without you.
• Ports. You need to forward UDP 2302 to 2305 and the Steam query port, which does not work on connections behind CGNAT. See how to port forward a game server.
• Mod keys and updates. Every Workshop mod needs its .bikey copied to the keys folder, and every DayZ patch means updating the server and waiting for mods.
• Your home IP is visible to every player.

Free game hosts almost never offer DayZ, because a usable DayZ server needs 8 GB or more of RAM. If you want to try self hosting, our DayZ self hosting guide walks through it.

Is cheap DayZ server hosting worth it?

It can be, if the price comes with enough memory and the plan is honest about players. Compare these when shopping:

• RAM, not slots. A 60 slot plan with 4 GB will not run a modded server well.
• Mod handling. Does the host install Workshop mods and keys for you, or do you upload everything by hand?
• Map support. Can you run Livonia, Sakhal and Nasdara, or only Chernarus?
• Contract. Monthly with a cancel button beats a long commitment for a community that may move on.
• DDoS protection included, not an add on.

What do you get with GamezServers?

• Your map in one setting: Chernarus, Livonia or Sakhal, plus Nasdara once Badlands is out.
• Workshop mods by ID or an uploaded modlist. We download them, keep them updated and copy their keys.
• The server and every mod check for updates on each restart.
• A file manager for serverDZ.cfg, types.xml and cfggameplay.json.
• 3 backups, DDoS protection, 24/7 support, monthly billing, 50% off the first month and bill splitting for up to 10 friends.

See plans on our DayZ server hosting page, or follow the DayZ hosting quick start.

FAQ

How much RAM does a DayZ server need?

8 GB runs vanilla Chernarus or Livonia for up to 20 players. Modded servers with Expansion want 12 GB, and 60 player or Nasdara servers are safest on 16 GB.

What is the cheapest way to run a DayZ server?

Running the free server on a spare PC is cheapest in cash, but costs electricity and setup time. For an always online server, splitting a hosted plan between 6 to 10 friends brings it to roughly 3 to 6 USD each.

Is the DayZ server software free?

Yes. The DayZ server is a free download through SteamCMD, but it needs a Steam account that owns DayZ to download it and Workshop mods.

Can console players join a hosted DayZ server?

No. Our DayZ servers are PC servers. Xbox and PlayStation players use separate console servers.

Do players need Badlands to join my server?

Only if you run the Nasdara map. Chernarus works for every DayZ owner, while Livonia, Sakhal and Nasdara each need their own DLC to join.