You will need to use tools like ARK Server Manager or OVHcloud to configure your dedicated environment. Top Hosting Providers
If you want to travel between different maps (e.g., from The Island to Scorched Earth) with the same character, you need a provider that supports "Server Clusters." 2. Buying Dedicated Hardware (Self-Hosting)
Make sure you are buying for the correct version! ARK: Survival Ascended (the Unreal Engine 5 remake) has different server requirements than the original Evolved. ARK: Survival Evolved Server Hosting - ScalaCube
This is what most players mean when they say they want to "buy" a server. You pay a monthly subscription, and the provider handles the hardware, uptime, and basic setup.
Rates typically depend on "slots" (maximum player count).
Public servers are frequent targets for attacks; good hosting includes this by default.
ARK is notoriously resource-heavy. If you plan on running many mods (like Primal Fear or S+), ensure your plan has at least 8GB to 16GB of dedicated RAM .
If you're looking to "buy" a server for , you generally have two paths: renting a managed game server (the most common and easiest route) or buying dedicated hardware to host it yourself. 1. Renting a Managed Game Server (Recommended)