TerrariaTerraria Server Hosting Cost: Vanilla vs TShock vs Calamity (2026)
A Terraria server costs from 4.99 USD a month. What vanilla, TShock and tModLoader servers with Calamity need, playthrough costs, and the free Host and Play option.
Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 5 min read
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A Terraria server is one of the cheapest game servers to run: 2 GB (4.99 USD a month) handles vanilla Terraria on a small or medium world for up to about 8 players, 4 GB (9.99 USD) covers a large world or tModLoader with a few mods, and 6 GB (14.99 USD) runs Calamity, Thorium or a big mod list. The server type you pick matters more than the player count. Split among four friends, even the Calamity tier is under 5 USD each.
Here is what each kind of Terraria server costs, what a full playthrough usually adds up to, and when the free Host and Play option is enough.
Cost by server type
| Server type | What it is | Plan | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla | Terraria as Re-Logic made it | 2 GB | 4.99 USD |
| Vanilla, large world | Same, bigger map | 4 GB | 9.99 USD |
| TShock | Vanilla gameplay with plugins, permissions and anti cheat | 2 to 4 GB | 4.99 to 9.99 USD |
| tModLoader, a few mods | Quality of life and small content mods | 4 GB | 9.99 USD |
| tModLoader with Calamity, Thorium or a big list | Large content mods | 6 GB | 14.99 USD |
New customers get 50% off the first month, so a vanilla server costs about 2.50 USD to try.
Why tModLoader costs more
Vanilla Terraria's server is small and efficient. tModLoader loads every mod's items, NPCs, bosses and textures into memory, and big content mods like Calamity add hundreds of each. Every player also has to run the same mods, so the server and clients must match. Our guide on switching a Terraria server to tModLoader or TShock covers the setup, and best Terraria mods for multiplayer lists popular ones.
Where TShock fits
TShock keeps vanilla gameplay and adds admin tools: groups, permissions, region protection, anti cheat and plugins. It is the choice for public or semi public servers. Memory use stays close to vanilla, and plugins add a little. See how to install TShock.
Cost of a full playthrough
Most groups play Terraria in a run: from the first night to the Moon Lord, then a break until the next update or a new class run. That shapes the best way to pay.
| Playthrough | Typical length | Plan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla run with friends | 1 to 2 months | 2 GB | about 2.50 to 7.50 USD with the first month deal |
| Calamity run | 2 to 3 months | 6 GB | about 22.50 to 37.50 USD with the first month deal |
If your group knows it will play for exactly a month, a prepaid 30 day period means nothing renews when you are done. See prepaid vs subscription.
Cost per player
Terraria groups are usually small, which makes splitting very cheap. On a GamezServers split bill, each person pays an even share plus a 1 USD fee per share:
| Plan | 2 players | 4 players | 8 players |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 GB (4.99) | about 3.50 each | about 2.25 each | about 1.62 each |
| 4 GB (9.99) | about 6.00 each | about 3.50 each | about 2.25 each |
| 6 GB (14.99) | about 8.50 each | about 4.75 each | about 2.87 each |
For a 2 GB server and two friends, the fee is a big part of each share, so many duos just have one person pay.
The free options
Host and Play
Terraria's built in Host & Play runs a server inside your game. It is free and perfect when you all play at the same time. The limits:
- The world is only online while the host plays.
- Friends need you to forward TCP port 7777, or use Steam invites on the Steam version.
- The host's game handles the server work, which is fine on vanilla and heavier with Calamity.
The dedicated server on your PC
TerrariaServer.exe ships with the game for free, and tModLoader has its own server. On a spare machine it can stay up all day. Our Terraria hosting guide walks through it. The costs are electricity, port forwarding and keeping versions in sync after updates, which is the most common Terraria server problem: see Terraria server version mismatch.
When paying makes sense for Terraria
- Friends play at different times and want to keep progressing.
- You run a modded world and the host's PC struggles.
- You want a world that lasts across several playthroughs, with backups.
- You do not want to forward ports.
When everyone always plays together, Host and Play is genuinely enough.
A Terraria server on GamezServers
GamezServers Terraria servers come in 2, 4 and 6 GB, with Vanilla, tModLoader and TShock as server types you pick in the panel. Upload your existing world with the file manager, set the password and world settings from the control panel, and it is live in about a minute with its own address. One click backups keep your world safe before a big boss or update. For modded runs, see our tModLoader server hosting page.
FAQ
How much does a Terraria server cost?
From 4.99 USD a month for vanilla on 2 GB, 9.99 USD for large worlds or light mods, and 14.99 USD for Calamity or big mod lists.
How much RAM does a Calamity server need?
Plan on 6 GB for Calamity or Thorium with a group of friends, more with extra content mods on top.
Is Terraria Host and Play free?
Yes. It runs a server from your game at no cost, but the world is only online while you are playing.
Can I switch my Terraria server from vanilla to tModLoader later?
Yes. Back up first, since modded worlds are saved in their own folder and vanilla worlds should be copied before you add mods.
Skip the setup. Your own Terraria server.
Then $4.99/mo. Just trying it? $1.25 for 3 days