Rust is the heaviest game to host on this list. A Minecraft server runs on 2 GB; a Rust server with five players already needs 8 GB. Twenty players on an average map requires 16 GB or more. Those numbers are not upselling; Rust loads the entire map into memory and tracks every placed wall, chest and workbench until the wipe comes. Here is what you need and how it works.
Hardware requirements
| Players | Map size | RAM | CPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 10 | 3000 (small) | 8 GB | Min. 3 GHz, 2 cores |
| 10 to 30 | 3500 (standard) | 12 to 16 GB | 4 GHz+, 4 cores |
| 30 to 100 | 4000 to 4500 | 16 to 24 GB | 4 GHz+, 4+ cores, NVMe |
Rust is single-threaded for the game loop, so clock speed matters more than core count.
Wipe cycle
Rust has a mandatory "force wipe" on the first Thursday of every month. Facepunch pushes an update that resets the map. As a server admin, you also choose your own wipe schedule:
- Weekly: highest player counts right after the wipe, but players get demotivated when their base disappears every week.
- Biweekly: the sweet spot for most community servers.
- Monthly: only the force wipe. Suitable for casual and PvE servers.
You also choose whether a wipe resets only the map (map wipe) or also the blueprints (BP wipe). Map-only preserves progression; a full wipe puts everyone on equal footing.
Oxide/uMod: installing plugins
Oxide is the plugin framework for Rust, comparable to Bukkit for Minecraft. After installation, you place .cs files in the oxide/plugins folder. The server compiles them automatically on load. Essential plugins to start with:
- GatherManager: adjust the gathering rate (default Rust farming is slow).
- Kits: give players starter kits.
- NTeleportation: teleport to a home point.
- BetterChat: chat formatting and colours.
- ServerRewards: reward system for activity.
Reinstalling Oxide after updates
After every Rust update (the first Thursday of the month), you need to reinstall Oxide. Facepunch overwrites the Oxide files during an update. Your plugins and config files in oxide/plugins and oxide/config remain, but the framework itself needs reinstalling. On the HostValues game panel, you do this via the mod manager with a single click.
Server.cfg: key settings
server.hostname: the name shown in the server list.server.maxplayers: maximum player count.server.worldsize: map size in metres (3000 to 6000).server.seed: the map seed. Change this at a map wipe for a new map.server.saveinterval: how often the server saves, in seconds. Default 300 (5 min). Lower to 120 on an active server.
All server requirements are included in the game hosting plans at HostValues, including Oxide installation via the panel.
Can I run Rust on a VPS?
Yes, but only on a VPS with enough memory and a fast CPU. A 4 GB VPS is not enough. Budget for at least 8 GB for a small friends-only server.
Why is my server empty?
Rust players find servers through the built-in browser and sort by player count. A new server has zero players and appears at the bottom. Building a community takes active promotion: a Discord server, presence on Reddit and server lists, and a unique concept that sets your server apart.
Is Rust hard to manage?
Rust server management is more intensive than Minecraft. The monthly update with force wipe and Oxide reinstall, monitoring performance as bases grow, and moderating a PvP community all require regular attention. For a friends-only server it is manageable; for a public server it is an ongoing project.
