Yes. The dependable way to run a Starbound server without a hosting bill is to install the official dedicated-server files on a computer you control, keep that computer online, and make the server reachable through your router and firewall. SteamCMD downloads and updates the files; you then configure the server, forward the network port, and give friends your address. You pay no separate hosting fee, but you are responsible for electricity, bandwidth, updates, backups, security, and uptime.
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This guide covers a Windows installation, a Linux/Docker alternative, Internet access for players outside your home, mod compatibility, and the problems that most often prevent friends from joining.
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What “free Starbound server” really means
Starbound includes an official dedicated-server executable. Running it on your own desktop, spare PC, or Linux machine avoids a monthly server rental. The trade-off is that the machine must remain powered on and connected whenever people want to play.
- No hosting invoice: You do not pay a managed-hosting provider for the server process.
- Your hardware: The computer must have enough free storage and memory for the game files, worlds, logs, and mods.
- Your connection: Upload bandwidth, router configuration, firewall rules, and any ISP restrictions are your responsibility.
- Your maintenance: You apply Starbound updates, restart the process after failures, back up worlds, and keep credentials private.
- No guaranteed uptime: A home server stops when the host computer, operating system, power, or Internet connection stops.
A paid managed host can remove much of that administration, but it is not a free method. Current provider pricing and included features vary, so compare them only after deciding whether you actually need someone else to handle networking and maintenance.
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Choose the setup that fits your group
| Option | Recurring hosting charge | Setup effort | Control | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows self-hosting | No separate hosting bill; you provide the PC, power and Internet service | Install files, configure the server, forward a port and manage updates | Full access to configuration, worlds and mods | You already have a Windows computer and do not mind maintaining it |
| Linux with Docker | No separate hosting bill; you provide the Linux machine and network | Install Docker, set environment variables, mount persistent storage and follow the image’s current instructions | Full control, with container-specific administration | You are comfortable with Linux and want repeatable deployment |
| Managed game host | Paid monthly service; the amount depends on provider, region and plan | Usually lower initial effort | Subject to the host’s panel, limits, backup policy and mod support | You need availability while your home PC is off or cannot configure inbound networking |
The self-hosting instructions below are the no-hosting-fee route. They do not promise a particular player capacity or uptime percentage; those depend on your hardware, network and configuration.
Windows: install a free dedicated Starbound server
1. Prepare the host computer
Use a computer that can stay powered on for the sessions you want to run. Sign in with an account that can install software and create firewall rules. Reserve enough disk space for the server installation, the universe, logs and any Workshop mods. If the machine is also your gaming PC, remember that shutting down the game does not necessarily stop the server process.
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Decide where the files will live, such as C:StarboundServer. Keeping the server in a dedicated folder makes updates and backups easier than mixing it with unrelated files.
2. Install SteamCMD and download the server files
SteamCMD is Valve’s command-line tool for downloading and updating Steam game-server files. The Steam Community setup guide used for this procedure identifies Starbound with application ID 211820 and was updated on September 21, 2025.
After extracting SteamCMD, open Command Prompt or PowerShell in its folder and run a command like this, changing the paths to match your system:
steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir "C:StarboundServer" +login anonymous +app_update 211820 validate +quitapp_update retrieves the files; validate checks the installation. Run the same update command whenever you want to apply a Starbound server update. Stop the running server first so files are not locked while SteamCMD replaces them.
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If anonymous login is rejected by the current SteamCMD build, follow SteamCMD’s current authentication prompt and use the account credentials it requests. Never put a password in a batch file that other users can read.
3. Run the executable once to create its files
Open the server’s platform folder inside the installation and launch starbound_server.exe. The first run creates the storage area and configuration files. Let it reach its normal listening state, then stop it cleanly with Ctrl+C so the files are written completely.
Locate starbound_server.config in the generated server files. Make a copy before editing it; a malformed JSON character can prevent the server from starting.
4. Create an administrator account
Edit the existing serverUsers section rather than deleting unrelated settings. A typical entry has a username, password and administrator flag:
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"serverUsers" : {
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}Preserve the file’s original commas, braces and indentation rules. Choose a password that you do not reuse for Steam, email or another service. Do not publish the configuration file or place it in a publicly shared folder.
5. Start the server
You can start starbound_server.exe directly whenever you want to host. For a repeatable launch, create a batch file in the server’s executable directory:
@echo off
:loop
starbound_server.exe
timeout /t 30
goto loopThis monitor waits 30 seconds and launches the process again if it exits. It is an example restart loop, not a guarantee of uptime: a configuration error, a damaged world, a Windows update or a power failure still requires your attention. Test a normal shutdown before relying on it.
Make the server reachable from outside your home
Local-network play
Players on the same home network can usually connect to the host computer’s private IPv4 address, such as 192.168.1.25. Give the host a DHCP reservation in the router so that address does not change; otherwise a reboot may invalidate your forwarding rule.
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The commonly documented default Starbound server/query port is 21025/TCP. A Game Server Manager guide documents that port; if your configuration uses another port, use the same number consistently in the server settings, router rule and any query settings.
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- Find the host computer’s current private IP address with
ipconfigin Command Prompt. - Sign in to your router and create a port-forwarding rule for TCP port
21025to that private IP address. - In Windows Defender Firewall, allow
starbound_server.exeon the network profile you actually use. If you create a port rule instead, allow inbound TCP 21025. - Start the server and confirm that it is listening before asking an outside player to test.
- Give friends your public IP address and the port, using the format your Starbound client requests. Do not post the address and administrator password together in a public channel.
Port forwarding works only when your router receives a public address. Some Internet providers place customers behind carrier-grade NAT, which prevents unsolicited inbound connections even when the router rule is correct. If local players can join but every outside connection times out, ask the ISP whether inbound IPv4 is available, request a public address if offered, or use a different network arrangement. Do not treat repeated firewall changes as a fix for carrier-grade NAT.
Changing the port
A different port can be useful when another service already occupies 21025, but changing only one setting breaks connectivity. Update the Starbound server configuration, the router forwarding rule, Windows Firewall and the query setting together. Tell every player the new port and restart the server after saving the configuration.
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Every connecting player needs a compatible mod set. A server can start normally while a client is refused because a required mod is missing, a version differs or files load in an incompatible order.
- Choose the exact Workshop items and versions your group will use.
- Download the Workshop content with SteamCMD as described in the Starbound setup guide, or obtain the files through the distribution method your group has agreed on.
- Place server-side mod files in the installation’s
modsdirectory. - Add the corresponding paths to
sbinit.configusing the format already present in that file. Keep a backup before editing. - Distribute the same mod list and versions to every player. Have clients close Starbound completely before replacing mod files.
- After an update, test a copy of the universe first. Remove or update a mod only after checking whether existing characters and worlds depend on it.
When a player reports an immediate disconnect after an update, compare the server and client mod directories before changing ports or reinstalling the game. Mod parity is the first check.
Linux and Docker alternative
Linux users can run a community-maintained starbound-server Docker implementation instead of installing the executable directly on the host. Container instructions can change, so read the project’s current README before deployment rather than copying an old command.
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What the container needs
- Docker installed and able to run containers for the account or service that will manage Starbound.
- Steam credentials supplied through the environment variables documented by the image. Keep those variables in a protected environment file and never commit them to a public repository.
- A persistent host directory mounted to
/steamcmd/starbound. Without this mount, recreating the container can discard the installation and its generated files. - World data preserved under
/steamcmd/starbound/storage/universe. - Mods preserved under
/steamcmd/starbound/mods.
The implementation documents an optional update-skip setting for administrators who want to control when Steam files change. If you enable it, schedule your own update checks and stop the server before updating. If you leave automatic updates enabled, take a world backup first and test the resulting mod combination.
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Publish the container’s Starbound port to the host and forward the router’s TCP 21025 to the Linux machine, unless you deliberately changed the server port. Confirm that the container is listening, inspect its logs, and verify that the host firewall allows the published port. A Docker container does not bypass router NAT or an ISP’s carrier-grade NAT.
Backups and permissions
Stop the container before copying the universe directory so files are not changing during the backup. Store at least one backup outside the server machine. Ensure the container’s service account can read and write the mounted directories; a permissions error can look like a failed update or a server that never finishes starting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Back up the universe before updates
The universe is the most valuable part of a small community server. Before changing Starbound, adding a large mod, or editing configuration, stop the process and copy the storage directory, especially the universe data. Keep dated backups so you can roll back to a known-good state rather than overwriting the only copy.
- Back up before every Starbound or mod update.
- Back up before changing
sbinit.configor server-user settings. - Keep a copy on another disk or machine.
- Record the server version and mod list beside each backup.
- Test restoring a backup on a separate copy of the server before you need it.
Troubleshoot the problems that block connections
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Host can play, friends on the same Wi-Fi cannot | Local firewall, wrong private IP or the server is bound to a different interface | Confirm the host’s current ipconfig address, allow the executable through Windows Firewall and test the LAN address directly |
| LAN works, outside players time out | Missing port forwarding, wrong destination IP, ISP carrier-grade NAT or public IP changed | Verify TCP 21025, reserve the host’s private IP, check the router’s WAN address and ask the ISP about inbound IPv4 |
| Connection refused immediately | The process is stopped, listening on another port or the client used the wrong address | Read the server console, confirm the configured port and restart after saving the configuration |
| Players are kicked after loading | Server and client mods do not match | Compare filenames, versions and sbinit.config paths; remove stale client mods and retest |
| Server fails after editing configuration | Invalid JSON, a missing comma or a damaged setting | Restore the backup, make one change at a time and preserve the original file structure |
| World progress disappears or the universe will not load | Interrupted writes, incompatible mods or no usable backup | Stop the server, preserve the current files, then test the newest known-good dated backup |
| SteamCMD update appears stuck or incomplete | The server is still running, files are locked, authentication failed or disk space is low | Stop Starbound, rerun the update command, review SteamCMD output and confirm free storage |
Security and reliability checklist
- Use a unique administrator password and share it only with people who need administrative access.
- Allow only the required Starbound executable or TCP port through the firewall.
- Keep Windows, Linux, Docker and SteamCMD updated, but schedule updates rather than applying them during a session.
- Do not expose Steam credentials in batch files, container logs or public repositories.
- Reserve the host’s local IP address so forwarding remains valid.
- Set the computer not to sleep while hosting, and understand how power-saving settings affect the server.
- Monitor disk space, especially when several worlds, logs and Workshop items accumulate.
- Keep dated, offline or off-machine backups of the universe.
- Tell friends when maintenance will occur and record the server version and mod list after each change.
Is self-hosting worth it?
Self-hosting is the best answer when your group plays at agreed times, you already have a computer that can remain online, and you want complete control over worlds and mods. The software itself does not require a separate hosting subscription; your real costs are electricity, Internet service, hardware wear and the time needed to administer the server.
A managed host is more practical when the owner is frequently away, the home router cannot accept inbound connections, or nobody wants to handle firewall rules, updates and backups. Its fee buys convenience and a provider’s infrastructure, not a different version of Starbound. Confirm that any service supports your desired location, player count and mod workflow before paying.
Bottom line
To get a free Starbound server, download application 211820 with SteamCMD, run starbound_server.exe once to generate its files, create an administrator in starbound_server.config, and then keep the server running on your own computer. For friends outside your home, forward TCP port 21025 and allow the executable through the firewall. Keep server and client mods identical, back up the universe before changes, and treat uptime and troubleshooting as your responsibility. If those duties are unacceptable, a paid managed service is the alternative—not a free host.
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