Project Zomboid Server Hosting
Project Zomboid server plans
Pick the plan that fits your community. Every plan deploys instantly and can be resized later from the control panel.
Starter
- RAM
- 2 GB
- NVMe
- 20 GB
- CPU
- 1 vCore
Standard
- RAM
- 4 GB
- NVMe
- 30 GB
- CPU
- 2 vCores
Ultimate
- RAM
- 8 GB
- NVMe
- 40 GB
- CPU
- 3 vCores
Included with every plan
Save up to 15% with longer billing periods
Built for Project Zomboid: a committed Java heap, and two mod lists
Project Zomboid's dedicated server is a Java process, and that decides more than the player count does: memory is reserved at launch, config files are named after the server, and mods need two lists.
The memory is reserved before anyone joins
Project Zomboid's server runs on a bundled JRE, so its RAM is a fixed heap set at launch, not something it grows into. The shipped StartServer64 script asks for 16 GB — -Xms16g -Xmx16g — and the server exits with memory errors rather than starting smaller. Plans resize from the panel to suit. Getting started with your Project Zomboid server
Two lists download, two lists enable, and a third picks the map
A Workshop mod needs its numeric ID in WorkshopItems= to download and its text Mod ID in Mods= to switch on — different identifiers, both required, semicolon-separated. Map mods need a third line: Map= defaults to Muldraugh, KY. Start the server with the Console tab open and read the list it prints. How to install mods for Project Zomboid
Every config file is named after the server
Project Zomboid has no server.cfg. It has four files named for the server — servername.ini, servername_SandboxVars.lua, servername_spawnregions.lua and servername_spawnpoints.lua — and loads whichever set matches the name it booted with. Change the name and it writes fresh defaults, so a tuned server looks reset. The INI reloads live with /reloadoptions. Project Zomboid Server Settings and Config Files
What running one actually asks of you
Three jobs are Zomboid's own. It binds two UDP ports — the one you are given and the one above it — so the pair is allocated together here. It runs two incompatible builds, Build 42 stable and the legacy41 branch. And The Indie Stone raised the player ceiling to 254 on 17 August 2026. Project Zomboid admin commands
Powerful Server Management
Every server comes with our feature-rich game panel — manage your server from anywhere with no technical expertise required.
Live Server Console
Monitor your server in real time with a built-in console, live CPU, memory, and network graphs, plus one-click start, restart, and stop controls.
Full File Manager
Browse, upload, edit, and manage all your server files directly from the panel — no FTP client needed. Drag and drop uploads, bulk actions, and more.
Startup Configuration
Fine-tune every aspect of your server with an intuitive variable editor. Selects, toggles, and validated inputs replace fragile command-line flags.
One-Click Backups
Create on-demand or scheduled backups with one click. Lock critical snapshots, download them for offsite storage, or restore any of them yourself.
Network & Allocations
Every server gets a dedicated port allocation behind always-on DDoS filtering. Add extra ports for query, RCON or mods without touching a config file.
Global Server Network
Pick a data center close to your players. The times below are measured live from your own connection, not quoted from ours. View all locations.
Project Zomboid servers deploy from four locations. Dallas sits in the middle of North America and is the usual default for a community spread across the United States. Ashburn covers the East Coast and is the shorter hop for players in the eastern states and eastern Canada. London serves the UK, Ireland and the western edge of Europe, and Frankfurt sits central for Germany, the Nordics, the Benelux countries and most of Eastern Europe. Between them the four cover North America and Europe end to end.
The figures beside each city were measured by your own browser a moment ago, so read them as a fair guide to what players near you will see rather than a number we picked. If you choose the wrong one, moving is free: open a ticket and support migrates your server files to any available location at no charge.
What our customers say
“This is the first time in my life that someone actually tried to help around this world of VPS/dedicated servers. Rene isn't good, he is amazing! Gave total attention, made recommendations. I am looking forward to migrate my services to GameServerKings because of Rene. I appreciate the attention once again.”
Igor garcia
“I've been with GSK and Cosmic guard for nearly 2 years now, They are very professional, helpful and quick to fix any issues. They normally can get a tech in same day to fix and hardware issues. We've had 2 cpu's burn out and they replaced them (after diagnosing the issue) Fast and free Extra big should out to Alexander hes the goat <3”
Josh from flowstate
“Machines and support are top notch! Love being able to communicate with real humans here and not sh.. ai bots that other sites offer. Communication is smooth and fast.”
BekerMelk
Aimtraining
Outgrowing a shared Project Zomboid server?
For larger Project Zomboid communities — or when you're running a fleet of high-performance instances — a dedicated machine gives you the whole box: every core, all the RAM, and no noisy neighbors. You decide how it's run.
Run it on our game panel
Hand us the machine and we deploy it onto the same GameServerKings panel you already know — one-click installs, mods, backups, and 24/7 support, managed on your behalf.
Or manage it yourself
Prefer full control? Take root access and run it your way. The box is yours end to end — we just keep the hardware and network humming underneath.
Project Zomboid Knowledge Base
Guides for installing, configuring, and troubleshooting your Project Zomboid server.
Project Zomboid
Details the five /setaccesslevel levels, notes /grantadmin's Build 35 removal, and lists IDs for /additem and /addxp.
Walks through the INI, SandboxVars.lua for zombies and loot, and spawnregions.lua. Renaming the server resets all three.
Explains the numeric WorkshopItems ID and text Mods ID, plus picks like Brita's Weapon Pack and ORGM Rechambered.
Covers first boot, the ~4 GB download, admin password setup, and Join Server. Explains full versus soft wipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Project Zomboid server hosting with GameServerKings
How much does it cost to run a Project Zomboid server?
A Project Zomboid server here starts at $5.40 a month. The price tracks the resources you pick:
- Starting
- 1 vCore · 2 GB RAM · 20 GB storage
- $5.40/mo
- Fully loaded
- 3 vCores · 8 GB RAM · 40 GB storage
- $24.00/mo
- Dedicated IPv4
- Optional add-on
- +$5.00/mo
- Longer terms
- Paid annually or up front
- 5–15% off
RAM is the number worth getting right: Project Zomboid keeps explored map cells loaded, so a long-running server grows into its memory.
How quickly will my server be ready?
Your Project Zomboid server is provisioned automatically within about a minute of payment. You'll receive login credentials to your inbox so you can connect straight away.
Do game updates install automatically?
Yes. Your Project Zomboid server is kept on the current game build automatically — you don't need to patch it by hand or open a ticket when the game updates.
Can I install mods and plugins?
Absolutely. You have full file access via our control panel and FTP/SFTP. Install any mods, plugins, or custom configurations — we don't restrict what you run on your server.
What if I need to upgrade my resources?
Upgrading is instant. You can change your memory, storage, or CPU priority from your client area at any time without any downtime or server migration.
Is DDoS protection included?
Yes. Every Project Zomboid server includes enterprise-grade DDoS mitigation at no extra charge. We absorb attacks at the network edge — your players won't notice a thing.
Are backups included?
Yes, and in two ways. Your Project Zomboid server is backed up automatically every 24 hours to off-site storage, so there is a recent copy to fall back on if the machine itself fails — you do not have to set anything up for that. On top of it, every plan includes five backup slots in the control panel that are yours to use: take one with a single click before a wipe, an update or a mod install, or set a schedule so they run on their own, and restore or download any of those five whenever you like. Neither costs extra.
Do I need a dedicated IP?
Only if you want one. A dedicated IPv4 address gives your Project Zomboid server its own entry in the in-game server browser and puts it on the game's default port, so players can connect by typing just the IP address. Without one your server shares an IP with other servers and uses its own port instead — it runs exactly the same and your friends can still join, they just need the IP and the port together. It costs $5.00 a month if you decide you want it.
Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
We offer a 72-hour money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied for any reason within the first 72 hours, contact us and we'll issue a full refund — no questions asked.
Can I switch server locations?
Yes. Contact our support team and we'll help you migrate your server data to any of our available locations at no charge.
Still have questions?
Our support team is available 24/7 and typically responds in under 5 minutes.
Open a support ticketDeploy Your Project Zomboid Server.
Join thousands of gamers who trust GameServerKings for reliable, high-performance server hosting.
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