GameServerKings currently lists the lowest paid, game-specific entry plan found for RimWorld Together: $5.40 per month for 1 vCore, 2 GB RAM and 20 GB of NVMe storage. Shockbyte’s US Outlander plan is the next clear comparison at $7.99 per month, with 2 GB RAM and a stated 20-player limit. Those are provider-published prices checked on October 13, 2026—not independent performance results.
You can also run RimWorld Together at no hosting-rental cost with the project’s official server files or Docker image. That option is only “free” if you already have a suitable computer, reliable internet, electricity and the time to administer it. For a paid server, compare the recurring checkout price, location, backups, mod controls, support and cancellation terms rather than choosing solely by the first number you see.
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Which RimWorld Together host is cheapest?
Among the current game-specific provider pages checked on October 13, 2026, GameServerKings (GSK) has the lowest listed monthly entry price: $5.40 per month for its Starter plan. The published configuration is 1 vCore, 2 GB RAM and 20 GB NVMe storage. The listing also mentions DDoS protection, mod and plugin support, FTP/SFTP access, automatic backups, a 72-hour refund offer and the ability to resize the plan.
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Shockbyte’s US page lists its Outlander plan at $7.99 per month, with 2 GB RAM, a 20-player limit, mod support, DDoS protection, global locations, automatic backups, full file access and a 72-hour self-service refund offer. A June 2026 third-party comparison displayed €6.93 for the same Shockbyte plan family, but that is a dated regional snapshot and should not be mixed with the provider’s current US-dollar price.
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Server.pro shows a RimWorld Together creation option and a general hosting tier from $7 for 4 GB of memory. Its separately displayed game-oriented configurations begin at $15 for 8 GB. Because those are not directly equivalent entry tiers, they should not be treated as a like-for-like price undercut of GSK or Shockbyte.
No source checked an independent benchmark, latency test or uptime study. Therefore, the evidence supports “lowest listed entry price,” not “fastest,” “most reliable” or “best-performing.”
Paid plans at a glance
| Provider and plan | Published price | Disclosed entry resources | Advertised features | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GameServerKings Starter | $5.40/month | 1 vCore, 2 GB RAM, 20 GB NVMe | DDoS protection; mod/plugin support; FTP/SFTP; automatic backups; resize option; 72-hour refund offer | Provider listing; performance was not independently tested |
| Shockbyte Outlander (US page) | $7.99/month | 2 GB RAM; 20-player limit | Mod support; DDoS protection; global locations; automatic backups; full file access; 72-hour self-service refund offer | USD monthly price on the US page; currency and terms vary by location |
| Server.pro general tier | From $7/month | 4 GB memory | RimWorld Together creation page; root access; automatic daily backups | Separate game-oriented configurations shown from $15 for 8 GB; not a directly equivalent entry plan |
Prices, taxes, billing duration, promotions and availability can change. At checkout, select your own country or currency and verify the recurring amount. A low first-term promotion is not the same as a low renewal price.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What RimWorld Together needs from a server
RimWorld Together is a community multiplayer mod with separate server software. The project’s setup guidance says the server has no heavy hardware dependencies and places particular emphasis on network bandwidth. That does not establish a universal minimum computer specification or prove that a certain RAM amount guarantees smooth play.
The project provides server files for Linux and Windows. Its documentation says macOS is unsupported. An official container image is available for Docker, and the project’s example publishes port 25555. A local client is directed to connect on port 25555 as well. Use the instructions and release-specific files supplied by the project version you install, because support details can change.
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- Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz.
- 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, WiFi.
Bandwidth and reachability
Players need to reach the server from the internet. A host’s network location, routing and congestion can affect responsiveness more than a small difference in advertised CPU resources. Put the server in a region close to most of the group, not necessarily close to the person who pays the bill.
Storage and saves
Storage holds the server files, mods, configuration and world saves. The listed entry plans provide 20 GB, which may be ample for a small group but is not a guarantee for every mod collection or long-running save. Monitor disk usage and keep an independent copy of important saves instead of relying entirely on a provider’s backup system.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSelf-hosting: the no-rental-cost option
The official project files and Docker image make self-hosting possible. You avoid a monthly hosting subscription, but you do not avoid costs or responsibilities. You supply the computer, internet service, electricity, operating-system updates, firewall and router configuration, backups and troubleshooting.
When self-hosting makes sense
- You already have an always-on Linux or Windows machine with a stable wired or wireless connection.
- The group is small and can tolerate occasional maintenance or downtime.
- You are comfortable exposing the required port and keeping server software updated.
- You can make and test separate backups of the world and configuration.
When a rented host is easier
- No player wants to keep a home computer running whenever others may join.
- Your internet provider makes inbound connections difficult or uses carrier-grade NAT.
- You want provider support, a web control panel, advertised backups or a data-center connection.
- You prefer a predictable monthly bill over maintaining hardware and electricity availability.
“Free” self-hosting therefore means no rented-server fee, not zero operating cost or guaranteed availability.
How to evaluate the cheapest plan without buying a bad one
1. Compare the recurring price on the same basis
Record the currency, billing interval, tax and renewal amount shown at checkout. Do not compare an annualized promotion with a normal month-to-month price. Shockbyte’s $7.99 figure is from its official US page; a euro figure from another region or an older date may represent different taxes, currency conversion or terms.
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2. Match the plan to your actual group
Shockbyte publishes a 20-player limit. GSK publishes vCore, RAM and storage rather than a player number in the listed entry configuration. Server.pro states that player counts are not limited separately from available resources. None of these statements is an independent capacity test. Treat them as plan disclosures, then leave room for your mod list, save growth and the number of simultaneous players.
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3. Inspect mod-list controls
Mod compatibility is central to RimWorld Together. GSK describes required, optional and forbidden mod lists and checking clients against the server configuration. Shockbyte advertises mod support, but the headline feature does not explain how uploading, synchronization or conflict diagnosis works. Before paying, confirm where you upload mods, how the server enforces the list, and whether you can retrieve the files if you leave.
4. Verify what “automatic backups” means
All three listings mention backups in some form, but a feature label does not specify frequency, retention, restore access or whether files outside the world save are included. Ask for the current schedule, number of retained copies, restore procedure and any storage limits. Keep a second copy under your control for valuable campaigns.
5. Choose a location near most players
Both GSK and Shockbyte advertise multiple hosting locations or global availability. No comparable independent latency or support-response measurements were found. Select the region that minimizes distance for the majority of players and regard provider performance claims as claims, not measurements.
6. Read support and refund conditions
GSK and Shockbyte each advertise a 72-hour refund offer, but the exact eligibility, self-service process and exclusions should be read on the current plan page. Confirm how technical support is contacted, what hours apply and whether assistance with a custom mod list is included.
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7. Check upgrade and cancellation paths
GSK says its plan can be resized. Find out whether resizing changes the world files or IP endpoint, how quickly the change applies and whether the price is prorated. For every provider, establish how to download saves, cancel renewal and close the service before the next billing date.
Setting up a hosted RimWorld Together server
The provider’s control-panel labels differ, but the operational sequence is broadly the same. Follow the version-specific RimWorld Together instructions alongside these checks.
- Select a location and plan. Choose a region close to most players, confirm the recurring currency and price, and verify the RAM, CPU, storage and player limit shown for that exact plan.
- Install the server software. Use the provider’s one-click installer if it supplies the correct RimWorld Together release, or upload the official server files through the panel’s file manager or FTP/SFTP. Do not assume a generic RimWorld server package is interchangeable with RimWorld Together.
- Set the network port. The project documentation identifies port
25555. Confirm that the hosting panel and firewall allow the port assigned by the provider; some hosts require a different externally mapped port. - Configure the mod list. Add the required, optional and forbidden entries supported by your chosen setup. Have every player use the same client-side mod versions and load order required by the server configuration.
- Start and inspect the console. Wait for the server to finish loading, then check for missing files, rejected mods, port errors or repeated crashes before inviting the group.
- Connect one test client. Use the server address and port, join with a test account, load into a small session and watch CPU, memory, storage and network graphs if the panel provides them.
- Make a restore point. Trigger a provider backup if that control exists, download a separate copy of the save and record the installed server and mod versions.
Self-hosting with the project’s files or Docker image
For Linux or Windows, download the server files specified by the project release you intend to run. For Docker, use the project’s official container image and its documented example, including publication of port 25555. Ensure the host firewall and router forward that port to the machine running the container. macOS is identified as unsupported by the setup guide.
- Prepare the machine. Install the supported operating system, apply updates and reserve a stable local address for the server.
- Install the release. Place the official files in a dedicated directory, or pull the documented Docker image. Keep the image tag or release number recorded.
- Open only the required port. Allow the server port through the host firewall and router, then test reachability from outside your home network.
- Apply the server configuration and mods. Build the same required, optional and forbidden lists that your players will use.
- Run a private test. Connect locally first, then have one remote player connect. Check logs for port, version or mod errors.
- Automate maintenance. Schedule save backups, monitor disk space and memory, and decide who updates the server and verifies the world after an update.
Never expose administrative interfaces unnecessarily. A reachable game port is different from publishing a control panel or remote shell to the public internet.
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Common problems and practical fixes
Players cannot connect
- Confirm the address and port, including
25555where the project configuration requires it. - Check the host firewall, router forwarding or provider network assignment.
- Test from a different network to distinguish a local routing problem from a server outage.
- For a rented server, ask support whether the assigned port or endpoint changed after a restart.
The server rejects a player’s mods
- Compare the client’s mod names, versions and load order with the server list.
- Remove duplicate or obsolete files and restart after editing the configuration.
- Use the server’s required, optional and forbidden categories deliberately rather than allowing an unmanaged list.
The world becomes unstable after an update
- Stop the server and preserve the current save before changing versions.
- Review the console for the first error, not only the final crash message.
- Restore the last known-good backup if the save or mod set is incompatible.
- Record the working server release and mod versions before trying another update.
Storage or memory is exhausted
- Inspect save growth, logs, crash dumps and unused mod archives.
- Download old backups before deleting them and verify that a current restore exists.
- Resize the plan or move to a larger configuration only after identifying what is consuming resources.
What should a small group buy?
Choose GSK first if your priority is the lowest listed paid entry price and its location, backup policy, refund terms and mod workflow suit the group. Its disclosed 1 vCore, 2 GB RAM and 20 GB NVMe configuration is a starting point, not a performance guarantee.
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Choose Shockbyte if its $7.99 US plan, stated 20-player limit, location options and support workflow better match your group. The extra monthly cost may be worthwhile if its panel or access model reduces administration.
Choose Server.pro when its root access, daily-backup wording or larger displayed configurations are more important than matching the cheapest game-specific entry price. The $15-from-8-GB game-oriented configuration is a different capacity class from the $5.40 and $7.99 listings.
Another option is Godlike.Host, which offers RimWorld Together servers in its own Pterodactyl-based game panel, with up to three free backups a day, restore, SFTP/FTP access and 24/7 support by live chat or ticket; see the current plans. RimWorld Together’s code is licensed CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, a NonCommercial licence (github.com/RimWorld-Together/Rimworld-Together, 10 Oct 2026).
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Bottom line on “still good”
At the prices checked on October 13, 2026, GSK’s $5.40/month Starter is the cheapest paid game-specific listing identified. Shockbyte’s $7.99/month Outlander is the next straightforward comparison, while Server.pro presents broader configurations that are not directly equivalent. A good decision depends on recurring price, player capacity, mod management, backup recovery, location, support and your willingness to administer the server. No available evidence proves that any of these providers is objectively the fastest or most reliable.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
