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Use a non-dedicated, player-hosted world if a small group normally plays together and you want to start with almost no administration. Use a dedicated server if the world must stay available after the owner logs off, players join at different times, or you need server-side settings, mods, and administrator controls.
The practical difference is where the world runs: a non-dedicated session runs inside one player’s game client, while a dedicated server runs as a separate process. That choice determines uptime, setup work, resource requirements, crossplay behavior, and who has control over the world.
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The difference in one sentence
A non-dedicated session exists only while the host is playing. A dedicated server is an independent 7 Days to Die server process that can remain online when the owner is away.
In a player-hosted game, the host launches the game, loads the world, and invites friends through the in-game browser or Steam. The host computer runs the game and the hosting workload together. Friends can join only while that session is active, and their clients must match the server’s game version and Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) setting.
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A dedicated server uses the separate Steam application with app ID 294420; the normal game is app ID 251570. The dedicated-server tool is free to download, but the computer, network connection, administration, and (if used) rented hosting are separate considerations.
Quick decision table
| Decision factor | Non-dedicated/player-hosted | Dedicated server |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | World is available only while the host is in the game. | World can stay online after the owner logs off. |
| Setup | Start a world in the game and invite or join friends. | Install and maintain a separate process; firewall, ports, updates, and restart handling may be required. |
| Resource use | One PC runs both the game client and hosting workload. | A separate machine can keep the game client and server from competing for CPU and memory. |
| Administration | Fewer exposed server-side controls. | More control over settings, mods, administrator tools, and server files. |
| Cost | No rented server is needed for a small friend group. | The software is free; rented hardware or managed hosting adds an ongoing cost. |
| Crossplay | Depends on the current platform support and game settings. | Requires the documented dedicated-server settings and compatibility conditions. |
When a non-dedicated world is the better choice
Your group usually plays at the same time
Player hosting is the least complicated option when one person normally starts the session and everyone is online together. There is no separate server account, service process, update schedule, or server control panel to maintain. The host opens the world, sends invitations, and closes it when the group is finished.
You want to spend nothing on hosting
A small group can use the host’s existing gaming PC and internet connection. You do not need to rent a server. The trade-off is that the host must be present for every session and the host’s machine performs both jobs.
You do not need asynchronous progress
If nobody needs to harvest, build, or prepare defenses while the usual host is offline, the uptime limitation may not matter. This arrangement also avoids exposing server configuration files and reduces the number of technical failure points.
What to expect from the host’s PC
The host runs the full game client while also simulating the shared world. Heavy scenes, large bases, many entities, or a busy mod setup can therefore affect the host before they affect other players. A wired connection and closing unrelated applications can help, but player hosting cannot separate the two workloads.
When a dedicated server is worth the extra work
The world must remain online
A dedicated process can continue running after the owner exits the game. Friends can log in on their own schedules, which makes it suitable for groups that do not share a play time or for a community that expects an always-available world.
You need server-side control
Dedicated hosting exposes configuration and administrator files that are not normally available in a player-hosted session. That makes it the appropriate choice for changing server rules, assigning administrators, managing a shared schedule, or supporting a controlled mod setup.
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You can provide an always-on machine or pay for one
The server can run on the same PC, a spare computer on your LAN, or rented hardware. Running it on a separate machine prevents the game client and server from competing for CPU time and RAM. A managed provider packages much of the maintenance into a control panel; self-hosting gives you more direct control but makes you responsible for the operating system, network, updates, and recovery.
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- Explore – Huge, rich environments, with unique biomes and worlds up to 100 square kilometres in size.
- Craft – Handcraft and repair weapons, clothes, armour, tools, vehicles, with hundreds of recipes and schematics.
- Build – Design your fort with traps, electricity, auto turrets, and gadgets to survive in a fully destructible and mouldable world.
- Cooperate or Compete – Work together to build settlements or against each other in a wasteland where zombies and outlaws rule the land.
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You accept ongoing administration
A dedicated server is not “set and forget.” A self-hosted deployment commonly requires SteamCMD or an equivalent installation method, a separate service user, firewall and port-forwarding work, automatic restarts, updates, and branch management. Backups and a documented recovery procedure are also your responsibility unless your host includes them.
Hardware and memory requirements
The 7 Days to Die Help Center’s hardware guidance, updated April 21, 2026, warns that a dedicated server requires more RAM and heavier CPU use than the game alone. The same guidance lists 12 GB RAM as recommended Windows memory for the game; that number is not a complete dedicated-server specification, because the server needs additional headroom.
The setup guide gives a practical baseline of four fast CPU cores and 6 GB of free RAM for a small dedicated server. It suggests 10–16 GB of RAM for modded play or groups of four or more players. These are guide estimates, not guarantees: world size, entity counts, mods, player activity, and operating-system overhead change the actual requirement.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Scenario | Practical guidance | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Game client on Windows | 12 GB RAM is listed as recommended memory. | This is the game guidance, not a promise that a dedicated host needs only 12 GB total. |
| Small dedicated server | Four fast CPU cores and 6 GB free RAM are listed as a baseline. | Actual performance varies with world load, player count, and mods. |
| Four-plus players or modded play | 10–16 GB RAM is suggested. | Treat the range as planning guidance rather than a universal minimum. |
| Storage and network | Use SSD storage and a stable upload connection. | Slow disks or unstable upload can produce long saves, connection problems, or delayed world updates. |
For a separate host, leave memory for the operating system and any monitoring, backup, or restart tools. If the same computer also runs the game, browser, voice chat, or recording software, plan beyond the server’s free-RAM figure rather than allocating every available gigabyte.
How to start a non-dedicated session
- Confirm versions and EAC. Every player must use a compatible game version, branch, and EAC setting. A mismatch can prevent joining even when invitations are sent correctly.
- Launch 7 Days to Die on the host PC. Load an existing world or create a new one using the desired game settings.
- Open the multiplayer or invite interface. Invite friends through the in-game browser or Steam, depending on the platform and visibility options available to your group.
- Keep the host in the world. The session remains available only while that player is actively running the game. Closing the game or disconnecting the host ends access for everyone.
- Use the same settings for every joiner. If someone cannot see or enter the world, first compare game version, branch, EAC state, and platform support before changing network settings.
This route is intentionally simple: there is no separate server process to patch or restart. Its unavoidable limitation is availability, not a missing configuration checkbox.
How a dedicated deployment is organized
The exact installation commands depend on the operating system and hosting environment, but the operational sequence is consistent.
- Choose the machine. Use the same PC, a spare LAN machine, or rented hardware. A separate machine is preferable when the owner also wants to play on the same networked computer.
- Install the dedicated-server tool. In Steam, the tool is the free application with app ID 294420, separate from the game app (251570). SteamCMD is a common method for unattended installations and updates.
- Create a service identity. Running the process under a dedicated, limited user makes permissions and recovery safer than running every task as an administrator.
- Apply server configuration. Set the world, visibility, player limit, EAC behavior, crossplay options, and any approved mods in the server’s configuration files.
- Handle network access. Allow the server through the host firewall and configure the necessary router port forwarding when players connect from outside the LAN. The required port values depend on the current server documentation and your network layout.
- Automate lifecycle tasks. Configure automatic restarts, scheduled updates, and a clear branch policy. Announce maintenance windows so players do not enter while files are being replaced.
- Back up the world and configuration. Keep copies of the world, server settings, and mod list in a location that survives a failed update or hardware loss. Test that a backup can actually be restored.
- Document administration. Record who has administrator access, where logs are stored, how to stop the process safely, and how to roll back an update.
A managed host follows the same logic but moves most of the machine, firewall, restart, and backup work into a provider’s control panel. Check the provider’s regions, backup policy, mod support, update controls, and crossplay settings before paying; those features are not identical between providers.
PC and console crossplay
Modern crossplay between PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S is supported when the dedicated server is configured correctly. The official Help Center specifies four settings for console-compatible servers:
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| Setting | Required value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
ServerMaxPlayerCount |
8 or lower | Console-compatible servers are capped at a maximum of eight players. |
ServerAllowCrossplay |
True |
Enables cross-platform joining. |
EACEnabled |
True |
Crossplay requires Easy Anti-Cheat enabled. |
IgnoreEOSSanctions |
False |
Must remain false for the documented compatibility configuration. |
In addition, keep the server vanilla, make it publicly visible, and ensure the server and every client use matching versions and branches. A modded server, disabled EAC, hidden visibility, or a version mismatch can prevent a console player from joining even when crossplay is enabled.
The guide describes the modern PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S group. Legacy PlayStation 4 and Xbox One builds, and Nintendo Switch, are outside that supported modern crossplay group. Do not assume that a setting that works for current platforms will make those older or different builds compatible.
Mods, EAC, and branch management
Mods
Dedicated hosting is the better fit when the group needs server-side mods because the files and configuration are managed independently of the host’s play session. Every player still needs the compatible client-side content when a mod requires it. For the documented console crossplay configuration, keep the server vanilla; that requirement takes priority over a modded setup.
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Easy Anti-Cheat
All participants must match the server’s EAC state. Crossplay specifically requires EACEnabled=True. If one client has EAC disabled while the server requires it, joining can fail before gameplay begins.
Branches and updates
A dedicated process can be updated on its own schedule, which is useful for planned maintenance but creates another failure mode. Keep the server branch and game clients aligned. When an update is required, stop the process cleanly, apply the update, verify configuration and mods, then restart and check that players can connect.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common problems and fixes
“The world disappears when the host quits.”
That is expected for non-dedicated hosting. Move the world to a dedicated process if players need access while the usual host is offline.
“A friend cannot join the player-hosted game.”
- Compare the game version and branch on both clients.
- Compare EAC settings.
- Confirm that the host is still in the world.
- Check platform-specific visibility and invitation behavior.
“Console players cannot see the dedicated server.”
- Set
ServerAllowCrossplay=True. - Set
EACEnabled=True. - Leave
IgnoreEOSSanctions=False. - Set
ServerMaxPlayerCountto 8 or lower. - Use a public server visibility setting.
- Remove mods for the crossplay test and align all versions and branches.
“The server lags when more people join.”
Check CPU and free memory while the lag occurs, then compare the load with the guide’s four-core/6-GB baseline and 10–16-GB suggestion for larger or modded groups. Move the process to a separate SSD-equipped machine, reduce unnecessary background workloads, and review mods or entity-heavy worlds before assuming that buying bandwidth alone will solve the problem.
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Verify that the server and clients are on the same branch and version. If the server is modded, confirm that every required mod was updated consistently. Restore the previous known-good server files from backup if the update changed behavior unexpectedly.
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Cost, control, and responsibility
The dedicated-server software itself is free. A non-dedicated group can therefore begin without a hosting bill. Dedicated hosting adds either the opportunity cost of an always-on computer and home upload capacity or a recurring rental charge. Managed hosting generally reduces administration; self-hosting generally provides more direct access to files, settings, and recovery procedures.
Choose based on the responsibility you want to carry. Player hosting makes the host responsible mainly for starting the game and keeping a compatible client online. Self-hosting makes you responsible for the operating system, firewall, ports, updates, backups, and incident recovery. A managed service shifts much of that work to a provider, but you still need to verify its backup retention, mod policy, region, support, and crossplay controls.
A practical decision checklist
- Choose non-dedicated if one person normally starts the game, the group is small, sessions are simultaneous, and simplicity matters more than 24/7 access.
- Choose dedicated self-hosting if you have an always-on machine, want file-level control, and are comfortable managing updates, networking, and backups.
- Choose managed dedicated hosting if persistent access is essential but you do not want to administer a server operating system.
- Plan for a dedicated server when players live in different time zones, the world should progress between sessions, or you need administrator tools and server-side configuration.
- Plan for vanilla crossplay when PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S players must share one world; use the eight-player, EAC, visibility, and version requirements together.
Frequently asked questions
Does a dedicated server stay on when the owner logs off?
Yes. Its standalone process can continue running. A non-dedicated world closes to other players when its host leaves the game.
Do I have to rent a server?
No. A small player-hosted session uses the host’s existing PC. For persistent access, you can self-host on a spare or LAN machine or rent managed hardware.
Is dedicated hosting always better?
No. It is better for persistence, asynchronous play, administration, and server-side configuration. Player hosting is better for a small group that values a quick, no-cost setup and plays together.
How much RAM should I plan for?
The Help Center lists 12 GB as recommended Windows memory for the game and warns that a dedicated server needs additional CPU and RAM. Its setup guidance uses roughly 6 GB free RAM for a small server and 10–16 GB for modded play or four-plus players. Treat those figures as planning guidance because actual load varies.
Can PC and console players join the same server?
Yes, for the modern PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S group when the dedicated server is public, vanilla, on matching versions and branches, and uses ServerMaxPlayerCount of 8 or lower, ServerAllowCrossplay=True, EACEnabled=True, and IgnoreEOSSanctions=False. Legacy PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch are not included in that documented modern crossplay group.
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Can I run a dedicated server and play on the same PC?
Yes. The dedicated tool can run on the same computer, but the game client and server then compete for CPU, RAM, storage, and network resources. A separate machine avoids that competition.
What should I check before choosing a managed host?
Verify its region, backup retention, mod policy, update and restart controls, player limits, support for the required crossplay settings, and whether the advertised price is recurring.
Quick Recap
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