ARK: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved Server Hosting

Run the original ARK the way your tribe likes it: Steam Workshop mods, any official map and your own taming and harvest rates. Every plan runs on AMD 9950X/7950X3D CPUs with DDR5 RAM, with full file access to your server.

  • Steam Workshop mods
  • Free and DLC maps
  • Custom rates and rules
  • Clusters across maps
See ARK plans See the panel

Plans from $6.96 USD / month

ARK: Survival Evolved key art: a survivor riding a dinosaur on a cliff with a volcano behind

ARK: Survival EvolvedRequires 8 GB RAM · runs on 6 of 9 plans

What an ARK: Survival Evolved server runsThe original ARK, with years of mods and maps behind it

  • Workshop modsListed in ActiveMods
  • 12+ mapsFree maps and DLC
  • Your ratesIn two .ini files
  • ClustersTransfer between maps

Use code FULL2026 at checkout for 15% off for life

Swipe or tap a plan

Slide to pick your RAM Use the arrow keys too

Every plan includes

    Your ARK server, managed from one panel

    Screenshots of our real panel. Change your rates, back up before a mod update and keep databases for your plugins.

    Backups page in the TheGameHosting panel with two backups, their size, date and checksum, and a Create backup button

    Try the live panel demoPrefer to look around first? The panel demo on our home page runs in your browser.

    Everything included with your ARK server

    One plan with every tool. The RAM is the only thing you choose.

    Play your way

    • Steam Workshop modsList mod IDs and the server downloads them.
    • Any official mapFrom The Island to Fjordur, free and DLC.
    • Unlimited slotsAs many survivors as your RAM can carry.
    • 2 free databasesFor plugins and tools that use MySQL.

    Manage it easily

    • File manager and full sFTPUpload saves and edit your .ini files in the browser.
    • Backup SystemKeep your tribe safe from a bad mod update.
    • SchedulesRestart and back up on a timer.
    • Location ChangerPick Dallas, TX or Amsterdam, NL and move later.

    Fast and protected

    • AMD 9950X/7950X3DUp to 5.7Ghz for big bases and tame herds.
    • DDR5 RAM and NVMeSamsung NVMe and DDR5 for big maps and mod packs.
    • DDoS protectionProtects your tribe's server from traffic floods.
    • Ready in 60 secondsYour ARK server is live within 60 seconds after payment.

    ARK: Survival Evolved hosting for tribes of any size

    ARK: Survival Evolved has been running community servers since 2017, and it still has one of the deepest libraries of mods and maps of any survival game. Hosting it yourself means a PC that never sleeps; a server from us keeps your dinos fed and your base standing around the clock.

    Every plan runs on AMD 9950X/7950X3D processors with DDR5 RAM and Samsung NVMe storage, behind DDoS protection. You get full file access for mods, maps and settings, and the server is ready within 60 seconds after payment.

    Pick your RAM
    ARK: Survival Evolved screenshot: first-person view aiming a bow at a T-Rex on a grassy plain

    Steam Workshop mods and maps

    ARK: Survival Evolved mods come from the Steam Workshop. List the mod IDs in ActiveMods under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini, and the server can download and update them when it starts.

    Official maps

    Free maps such as The Center, Ragnarok, Valguero, Crystal Isles, Lost Island and Fjordur run on any server. The Island is the original, and Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction and Genesis are the story DLC maps; players need to own a DLC map to play on it.

    Mod maps

    Custom maps from the Workshop load like any other mod. Larger maps and heavy mod packs need more RAM, so give them room on the slider.

    File Manager in the TheGameHosting panel listing a server's folders and files, with search, upload and new file buttons
    The file manager in our panel, where GameUserSettings.ini lives.

    Rates, rules and clusters

    Two files set how your ARK plays. GameUserSettings.ini holds most rates and server options, and Game.ini goes deeper, with per-level settings and engram overrides.

    • Speed up taming, harvesting and XP for a casual group, or keep official rates for a hardcore one.
    • Turn PvP or PvE on, set an admin password and a server password.
    • Link several maps into a cluster so survivors can transfer characters, dinos and items. Each map runs as its own server.

    Edit the files in the file manager or over sFTP and restart. Make a backup before a big change.

    Backups page in the TheGameHosting panel with two backups, their size, date and checksum, and a Create backup button
    Backups in our panel: name, size, date and checksum for each one.

    Evolved, Ascended and crossplay

    ARK: Survival Evolved is the original game. ARK: Survival Ascended is the Unreal Engine 5 remake, with CurseForge mods instead of the Workshop. They are separate games, so they can't share a server or a cluster.

    • On PC, ARK: Survival Evolved supports crossplay between Steam and Epic Games players on unofficial servers when it is enabled at launch.
    • Console versions of ARK use their own servers.
    • Your plan can switch between Evolved and Ascended with the Game Changer.

    Compare ARK: Survival Ascended server hosting, or try the voxel spin-off with PixARK server hosting.

    ARK: Survival Evolved cover art with a rider, a dinosaur and the ARK logo

    How much RAM does an ARK server need?

    ARK: Survival Evolved needs at least 8 GB of RAM on our list, so it runs on every plan from 8 GB up. These push memory use higher:

    • The map: big DLC and mod maps use more than The Island.
    • Mods, especially large overhaul packs.
    • Tribes with many structures and tamed creatures.

    We don't cap slots, so RAM is what sets your ceiling. Tell our support your map and mod list if you want a recommendation.

    ARK: Survival Evolved screenshot: a hand reaching toward a Triceratops in a shallow river

    ARK requires 8 GB RAMRuns on 6 of 9 plans, from 8 GB

    • 8 GB
    • 10 GB
    • 12 GB
    • 16 GB
    • 32 GB
    • 64 GB

    Hardware we own, in Dallas and Amsterdam

    Your ARK world runs on servers we bought and manage ourselves. Every plan uses AMD 9950X/7950X3D processors up to 5.7Ghz with DDR5 RAM, which helps when hundreds of tames and structures load at once, and Samsung NVMe storage speeds up saves and mod downloads.

    Host your tribe in Dallas, TX (United States) or Amsterdam (Netherlands), on a 10 Gbps network with UPS power, advanced cooling and DDoS protection for every server.

    • AMD 9950X/7950X3D up to 5.7Ghz
    • DDR5 RAM
    • Samsung NVMe Storage
    • 10 Gbps Network
    • UPS Backup Power
    • Dallas, TX & Amsterdam, NL

    Real people on support

    Our team is available 24/7/365. Ask about a Workshop mod that won't update, a cluster that won't transfer or a save from another host, and a person answers.

    • Live chat
    • Email
    • Ticket system
    Contact support

    ARK: Survival Evolved hosting questions

    Can't find your answer? Ask our support team.

    How fast is my ARK server ready?

    Your ARK server is ready within 60 seconds after payment. Choose your map, add your Workshop mods and start it from the panel.

    How do I add Steam Workshop mods?

    List the mod IDs, separated by commas, in ActiveMods under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini, then restart. The server can download and update the mods when it starts. Make a backup before adding or removing mods.

    Which maps can I run?

    Any official map: The Island, The Center, Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, Aberration, Extinction, Valguero, Genesis, Crystal Isles, Lost Island and Fjordur, plus mod maps from the Workshop. Players need to own a DLC map to play on it.

    How much RAM do I need for ARK: Survival Evolved?

    ARK: Survival Evolved needs at least 8 GB of RAM, so it runs on our 8 GB plan and everything above it. Big maps, mods and large tribes need more. There is no slot limit, so RAM is what sets your ceiling.

    Can I run an ARK cluster?

    Yes. A cluster links several ARK servers so survivors can transfer between maps. Each map runs as its own server, so a cluster means one plan per map.

    Can I upload my existing ARK save?

    Yes. Upload your SavedArks folder and config files through the file manager or over sFTP, then restart the server. Our support team can help with the move.

    Can Epic Games players join?

    ARK: Survival Evolved supports crossplay between Steam and Epic Games PC players on unofficial servers when it is enabled at launch. Console versions use their own servers.

    Where are your ARK servers hosted?

    In Dallas, TX (United States) and Amsterdam (Netherlands), on hardware we own in both locations. Every server in both locations is on a 10 Gbps network with DDoS protection.

    Do you have a discount code?

    Use promo code FULL2026 at checkout for 15% off for life.

    Is TheGameHosting affiliated with Studio Wildcard?

    No. TheGameHosting is an independent game server host and is not connected to Studio Wildcard, Snail Games USA, Instinct Games, Efecto Studios and Virtual Basement LLC.

    Start your ARK server today

    Ready within 60 seconds after payment. Workshop mods, every official map and your own rates, on the same plan as every other game on our list.

    Use promo code FULL2026 at checkout for 15% off for life.

    See ARK plans All games and plans

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