ARK server hosting means renting a server that runs ARK for your tribe, so your base and tames survive while you're offline. The first thing to check is which game you mean: ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended are separate games, and hosts don't always offer both. Ten hosts follow in no particular order.
ARK is a game where a server going offline can wipe out days of taming and building, so it's one of the survival games people most often rent a server for.
Before you compare hosts, know which ARK you're playing. ARK: Survival Evolved is the original, and ARK: Survival Ascended is the newer remake, sold as a separate game. The ten hosts below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from each host's own website, read as of Nov 2026, including which ARK game its page names.
ARK hosts and the games they name
| Tool | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Akliz | Multi-game host | ARK: Survival Evolved on a shared plan |
| Apex Hosting | Minecraft-first game host | Both ARK games from one host |
| Citadel Servers | Game, web and dedicated host | ARK: Survival Evolved with all DLC included |
| CreeperHost | Independent game host | Modded ARK: Survival Evolved |
| DatHost | Multi-game host | ARK: SE with automatic backups |
| GGServers | Minecraft-first game host | ARK on a customised Pterodactyl panel |
| GTXGaming | UK game server host | A UK page built for ARK |
| ScalaCube | Virtual and dedicated game host | ARK: Survival Evolved with Workshop mods |
| Server.pro | Multi-game host | Both ARK games and shared admin access |
| Survival Servers | Survival game host | Ascended, plus Evolved on PC and PS4 |
Ten ARK server providers
Akliz
Best for: Tribes who want ARK: Survival Evolved and other games under one plan, running several servers at the same time with no limit on players.
Apex Hosting
Best for: Players weighing both ARK games, since its game list shows ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended, with offsite automatic backups.
Citadel Servers
Best for: Communities wanting ARK: Survival Evolved servers in over 20 locations worldwide, with all DLC included according to its own page.
CreeperHost
Best for: Modders who'd like an ARK: Survival Evolved server that supports mods, from a host that keeps supported saves for up to a year after closing.
DatHost
Best for: Admins who want ARK: SE with automatic backups, one-click mod installers, an API and a choice of 36 global locations.
GGServers
Best for: Server owners who like a customised Pterodactyl panel, automated DDoS protection and locations from Montreal to Singapore, with ARK in its menu.
GTXGaming
Best for: UK tribes after a page built for ARK, a 16-chapter ARK server guide and ARK: Survival Ascended on VPS or dedicated hardware.
ScalaCube
Best for: Players who want an ARK: Survival Evolved server in minutes, with full FTP access, Steam Workshop mods and official ARK mods.
Server.pro
Best for: Friends sharing admin duties, since you can share the control panel, schedule automatic backups and choose either ARK game from 93+ titles.
Survival Servers
Best for: Survivors choosing between ARK: Survival Ascended, marked popular, and ARK: Survival Evolved on PC or PS4, from a host listing 130 games.
Evolved, Ascended or both?
Reading the host pages, the first thing I checked was which ARK each one offers. Server.pro lists both 'ARK: Survival Evolved' and 'ARK: Survival Ascended', and Apex Hosting lists both too. Survival Servers marks 'ARK: Survival Ascended' as 'POPULAR' and also lists 'ARK: Survival Evolved (PC)'. Akliz lists 'ARK: Survival Evolved', CreeperHost says 'reliable ARK hosting' beside its Evolved server, and DatHost shows 'ARK: SE' among its games.
Only one company here has a page built for ARK alone: GTXGaming's page is titled 'ARK Server Hosting UK'. GGServers has an 'ARK Server Hosting' entry in its menu, while Citadel Servers and ScalaCube reach ARK through wider game lists.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
The split a new tribe leader wouldn't guess is that 'ARK hosting' can mean either game. Evolved and Ascended are separate games with separate servers, and saves from one don't carry over to the other. Check that the host's page names the exact game you bought before you order anything.
Why ARK servers need more muscle
ARK is one of the heavier survival games to host. Big maps, hundreds of tamed creatures and sprawling bases all sit in memory, and Ascended, built on a newer engine, generally needs more from a server than Evolved. If a host doesn't say how much memory a plan includes, ask before you order, and check how easily you can upgrade when your tribe grows.
- Mods. Evolved mods come from the Steam Workshop and Ascended mods from CurseForge. Check the host supports the source your mods use.
- Platform. Some hosts list console versions separately, so check yours is there before you order.
- Clusters. Many tribes link several maps so they can move characters and dinos between them. If you want a cluster, ask whether the host lets you run and link more than one server.
- Backups. Losing a world to a bad update hurts in ARK more than most games. Automatic backups with an easy restore are worth checking first.
- Location. Choose a data centre near most of your tribe to keep combat and taming responsive.
Seven checks before you rent an ARK server
- Which ARK game does the plan run: Survival Evolved, Survival Ascended, or both?
- Does it support my platform, including console versions?
- How much memory comes with the plan, and can I upgrade mid-season?
- Can I install mods from the Steam Workshop or CurseForge?
- Can I run a cluster of linked maps?
- How are backups made, and can I restore one myself?
- Which locations can I choose, and can I move later?
Do you make an ARK server hosting service? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice for ARK tribes choosing a host
Start with the game, not the host. Confirm whether your tribe plays Survival Evolved or Survival Ascended, then shortlist only the hosts whose pages name it. From there, put memory and backups ahead of extras, because ARK punishes an underpowered server and a lost world more than most games do. If you're planning a cluster of maps, ask about that up front. Begin on a short plan, run a few sessions with the whole tribe online, and upgrade once you know how the server copes.
New to survival games with friends? My guide to online multiplayer party games and my list of trustworthy free PC game download sites are good places to start.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What is ARK server hosting?
It's renting a server from a hosting company that runs ARK's dedicated server for your tribe, so the world, bases and tames stay online when you log off.
What's the difference between ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended servers?
They're separate games, so they need separate servers. Ascended is the newer remake, and saves from Evolved don't carry over to it. Check which one a host's plan runs before you order.
Can I host an ARK server myself?
Yes, both games have dedicated server tools, but ARK is demanding and your PC has to stay on. Renting moves the hardware, uptime and updates to a host.
Do ARK server hosts support mods?
Most do. Evolved mods come from the Steam Workshop and Ascended mods from CurseForge, so check the host supports the source your mods use.
Can I link several ARK maps together?
Yes. ARK supports clusters that let players move characters and creatures between maps. You'll need a host that lets you run more than one server and link them.
Can console players use a rented ARK server?
It depends on the game and the host. Some hosts list console versions separately, so check your platform is named on the host's page before you order.
