There are dozens of game hosting providers, and they all promise the best performance. But how do you choose the right one? In this article, we explain what to look for and which marketing claims you can ignore.
1. Hardware specifications
The CPU is the most important component for game servers. Look for:
- CPU model: Ryzen 9 7950X, 5950X, or i9-13900K are top tier. Older Xeon E5 processors are significantly slower.
- Clock speed: higher GHz = better single-thread performance = better game server performance.
- Storage: NVMe SSD is the standard. Avoid providers still using HDDs.
- RAM type: DDR5 is faster than DDR4, but the practical difference is small for game servers.
Be skeptical of vague claims like "high performance" without naming specific hardware.
2. Server location
The distance between the server and your players determines the ping. A server in Amsterdam gives European players 5-20 ms, but American players 100+ ms. Choose a location that matches your audience.
At HostValues, all servers are in a Tier III+ datacenter in Germany, ideal for Western European players.
3. Management panel
The panel determines how easy your server is to manage:
- Pterodactyl: open source, powerful, standard at many providers. HostValues uses this.
- Multicraft: older standard, less flexible but familiar.
- Custom panels: some providers build their own panels. Can be good or bad.
Check: do you have full FTP/SFTP access? Can you edit configuration files? Can you freely install plugins/mods?
4. Support
Support is crucial when something goes wrong:
- Response time: how quickly do you get an answer? Look for providers with responses within a few hours.
- Knowledge: can the support team help with game-specific problems?
- Channels: tickets, live chat, Discord? Multiple options are better.
5. Hidden costs
Watch for these common extra charges:
- Extra databases: some providers charge extra for MySQL databases.
- Backups: are automatic backups included or paid?
- Dedicated IP: is a dedicated IP address included?
- Subdomain: can you get a free subdomain, or must you buy a domain?
- Modpack installation: some providers charge for installing modpacks.
At HostValues, databases, backups, and a dedicated IP are always included.
6. DDoS protection
DDoS attacks are unfortunately common for game servers. A good provider has DDoS protection included. Ask what type of protection they offer and up to how many Gbps.
Red flags
- Prices that seem too good to be true (1 EUR for 4 GB RAM)
- No specific hardware mentioned
- "Unlimited" claims (there is always a limit)
- No reviews or experiences to be found
- Payment only via crypto or hard-to-trace methods
Is the cheapest option always bad?
Not necessarily, but be realistic. Quality hardware costs money. A provider that is significantly cheaper than the competition is saving somewhere: older hardware, overselling (more customers per server than the hardware can handle), or minimal support.
Should I take a yearly or monthly subscription?
Start monthly to test the provider. Only switch to a longer subscription once you are satisfied. Some providers offer discounts on annual subscriptions, but you are also locked in.
Can I switch to a different provider later?
Yes. Download your server files via SFTP and upload them to the new provider. Most games make this easy. Make sure you have a recent backup before switching.
Compare for yourself and check out Minecraft hosting or game hosting at HostValues.
