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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsArma Reforger’s dedicated-server software is free, but a free server still needs a machine, an internet connection and someone to maintain it. You can self-host the official Windows or Linux server with Steam app ID 1874900, try a limited free managed tier, or use the game’s reported peer-to-peer HOST option. None of those choices is equivalent to a reliable, always-on commercial server.
Godlike.Host offers hosted Arma Reforger servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
For most small groups, self-hosting is the practical meaning of “free.” Your real constraints are upload bandwidth, hardware, port forwarding, firewall rules, configuration and whether the host computer stays powered on.
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What “free hosting” means in Arma Reforger
The Arma Reforger dedicated server itself costs nothing to download. It is available for Windows and Linux through SteamCMD as Steam app ID 1874900. That removes the software licence fee, not the operating cost of a server.
A free dedicated server requires a machine you own or control, a connection capable of uploading every player’s game data, and network access that allows incoming traffic. If you use a desktop at home, electricity, bandwidth usage and uptime are your responsibility. If the computer sleeps, reboots or loses its connection, the server disappears.
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There are three distinct approaches:
| Option | Upfront cost | Uptime | Capacity and limits | Setup burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-host the official dedicated server | Free software; you provide the machine and connection | Only while your host machine and connection are running | Limited mainly by upload bandwidth and hardware; community estimates put typical home hosting around 10–16 players | High: installation, JSON configuration, port forwarding, firewall and troubleshooting |
| Free managed tier | Advertised as free, but terms must be confirmed | Depends on the provider’s “while in use” policy and service limits | One listed tier specifies 2 vCPU, 1 GB RAM and 10 GB storage with no stated slot cap; 1 GB RAM may be inadequate | Lower than self-hosting, but you depend on the provider and its rules |
| In-game HOST | No separate server software cost | Session ends when the host leaves or disconnects | Player-reported peer-to-peer mode; capacity and networking depend on the host | Lowest, because it is started from the Multiplayer menu |
The free managed and HOST options should not be confused with a dedicated server that runs independently of a player. They are useful for different situations and have different failure modes.
Option 1: Self-host the official dedicated server
What you need
- A Windows or Linux machine that can remain powered on for the entire play session.
- SteamCMD access so you can install Steam app ID
1874900. - An internet connection with sufficient upstream bandwidth.
- Router access for port forwarding and firewall access on the host operating system.
- A JSON configuration file and a startup method that passes the
-configparameter. - Time to diagnose connection, configuration and performance problems yourself.
Self-hosting works on a spare desktop, a second gaming PC or another dedicated machine. The machine does not have to be the computer you use to play, but it must have enough CPU, memory and network capacity for the number of simultaneous players and the scenario’s workload.
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Bandwidth is usually the first home-hosting limit
A comparison guide estimates that home upload speeds are commonly about 10–35 Mbps and that this makes roughly 10–16 players a realistic target for self-hosting. Those are vendor estimates, not an independent benchmark, so treat them as planning figures rather than a guaranteed limit. Actual demand changes with player count, scenario, mods and network overhead.
Measure your sustained upload capacity rather than relying on the headline download speed in your broadband plan. Leave headroom for other household traffic. A server that works with two players can become unstable when several clients join, upload a large mod or begin a busy scenario.
Hardware planning
The same secondary guidance suggests approximately a four-core CPU and 8 GB of RAM for 32 players, 16 GB for 64 players, and more as you approach the reported 128-player ceiling. These figures are estimates and have not been independently verified. They should be treated as a starting point, not a performance guarantee.
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Sources disagree about the player cap: some describe a range of 1–128 players, while others state 2–64. Because that limit is unresolved, do not promise a specific maximum to your group. Check the current server documentation and build of the game you are running, then test the exact scenario and mod set.
Install the server software
- Prepare a Windows or Linux machine with adequate storage, memory and a stable wired or otherwise reliable connection.
- Install SteamCMD and use it to obtain Steam app ID
1874900, the free Arma Reforger dedicated-server application. - Keep the server files in a directory with permissions that allow the service account to read and write its configuration and log files.
- Update the installation before a planned event, but schedule updates deliberately: an automatic update can restart the server or change compatibility with mods.
The exact SteamCMD syntax and current file layout can change. Use the current Bohemia Interactive server documentation for the command sequence appropriate to your operating system rather than copying an old community script.
Create and launch a JSON configuration
The server is started with the -config startup parameter pointing to a JSON configuration file. Community guides use different filenames, including server.json, config.json and ServerConfig.json; the filename itself is not the important part. What matters is that the path passed to -config matches the file you created.
Configuration keys are case-sensitive according to secondary documentation. For example, bindPort is treated as valid while BindPort is not. A misspelled or incorrectly capitalized key can prevent the intended setting from taking effect, so inspect the startup log after every change.
The game.scenarioId value uses a complete .conf resource path. One documented example is {ECC61978EDCC2B5A}Missions/23_Campaign.conf. Do not replace that with only a mission name; use the full resource identifier required by the scenario you want to run.
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Configure networking
Third-party sources commonly report these ports:
| Purpose | Port reported by secondary sources | Protocol | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game traffic | 2001 | UDP | Reported by community documentation; verify against the current official reference |
| Server-browser query (A2S) | 17777 | UDP | Reported by community documentation; verify before opening it |
| RCON | 19999 | TCP | Reported by community documentation; verify before enabling remote administration |
Forward only the ports required by your configuration from the router to the server machine, then allow the same traffic through the host firewall. The official Bohemia Interactive wiki is the authority to check before publishing a public server, because the port values above come from secondary sources and may change between versions or configurations.
Test before inviting a full group
- Start the server with the
-configparameter and watch the log for JSON, port or permission errors. - Join from another machine or network if possible. A test from inside the same home network may succeed even when outside players cannot connect.
- Confirm that the server appears in the browser or can be reached directly, depending on the discovery method you use.
- Add players gradually and monitor CPU, memory, upload usage and latency.
- Test the exact mission and Workshop/mod set planned for regular play. A configuration that works on a clean scenario may fail when mods are added.
Keep a copy of the last known-good JSON file. When a change breaks startup, restore that copy first, then reapply one change at a time.
Option 2: A free managed server tier
At least one hosting provider advertises a free Arma Reforger tier with 2 vCPU, 1 GB of RAM, 10 GB of storage and no stated slot cap. It describes the service as free while in use. The duration of the offer is unclear, and the published resource allocation is notably smaller than the hardware guidance commonly given for larger player counts.
That makes this option something to verify, not a dependable recommendation. Before moving a regular community to it, confirm:
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- Whether “no slot cap” means unlimited players in practice or only that the control panel does not impose a fixed number.
- How much CPU time, network transfer and storage are actually included.
- Whether the service supports the current Arma Reforger server build and your required mods or Workshop synchronization.
- Whether you can export the JSON configuration and world data if the free tier ends.
- What restart, backup, support and abuse policies apply.
One gigabyte of RAM may be thin even before you add mods or a larger player group. Treat the listed specifications as the provider’s claim, not a verified performance result. A free tier can be useful for experiments or a very small test server, but it may be a poor fit for scheduled events where predictable uptime matters.
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Option 3: Use the in-game HOST function
A 2024 Steam forum post reports a HOST choice in the Multiplayer menu. This is a player report rather than official documentation, so availability and behavior should be confirmed in the current game version.
HOST is a peer-to-peer session: the player who creates it supplies the machine and connection, and the session depends on that player remaining online. It avoids installing and maintaining a separate dedicated-server application, which makes it convenient for an occasional session with friends. It is not an always-on server, and it does not provide the same independence from the host player as dedicated software.
Use HOST when convenience matters more than persistent uptime. Choose a dedicated server when players need to join without waiting for one particular person to launch the game.
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How to choose among the free options
Choose self-hosting when
- You already have a machine that can remain on and a router you can configure.
- Your group is small enough for your measured upload capacity.
- You are comfortable editing JSON and troubleshooting firewall or port-forwarding problems.
- You need control over scenarios, updates, logs and mods.
Choose a free managed tier when
- You do not want to expose a home machine or configure your own router.
- You can accept uncertain uptime and are willing to verify the provider’s current terms.
- Your group is small and the advertised CPU, RAM and storage prove adequate in testing.
- You have a backup plan if the free offer is withdrawn or suspended.
Choose in-game HOST when
- You are starting an occasional session rather than operating a persistent community server.
- The host can stay connected for the entire session.
- Fast setup is more important than independent uptime and administration.
For a regular group, compare the options on six practical axes: upfront cost, always-on availability, expected player count, upload bandwidth, setup effort and mod/Workshop support. A “free” option that fails any one of those requirements can cost more time than a modest paid service, but this article’s evidence does not establish current prices for paid plans.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common problems and fixes
The server starts but nobody outside the house can join
Check that the required port is forwarded to the correct local IP address, that the operating-system firewall allows it, and that you are testing from an external network. Confirm the port and protocol against current official documentation because community lists are secondary. Some internet services use carrier-grade NAT, which can prevent inbound hosting even when router settings look correct.
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The server fails immediately after a configuration edit
Restore the last known-good JSON file and inspect capitalization, commas, quotation marks and file paths. Configuration keys are case-sensitive; bindPort and BindPort are not interchangeable. Change one value at a time and read the startup log before making another edit.
Players experience lag as the group grows
Measure upload utilization first, then check CPU and memory. Home upload estimates of 10–35 Mbps and the 10–16-player self-hosting estimate are not guarantees. Reduce competing household traffic, test a smaller player count and compare behavior with mods disabled to identify whether the bottleneck is network, hardware or content.
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The selected mission does not load
Verify that game.scenarioId contains the complete .conf resource path, not only a display name. The example {ECC61978EDCC2B5A}Missions/23_Campaign.conf illustrates the required form. Confirm that the scenario exists in the installed build and that every required mod is available.
The server disappears unexpectedly
Self-hosted servers stop when the host computer powers down, sleeps, reboots or loses its connection. Disable automatic sleep on the server machine, schedule maintenance outside play times and keep a restart procedure. A peer-to-peer HOST session ends when its host leaves, so it cannot provide independent uptime.
What to verify in the official documentation
Community guides and hosting pages provide useful starting points, but several important details remain version-sensitive or unresolved. Before opening a public server, verify the current Bohemia Interactive references for Arma Reforger:Server Config and Arma Reforger:Startup Parameters. Confirm the supported ports, player-cap rules, configuration schema, startup syntax and any current requirements for mods or Workshop content.
That check is especially important because secondary sources disagree about whether the practical player range tops out at 64 or 128, and because the port and configuration details cited above were not independently confirmed against the official pages.
Bottom line
The software is free; dependable hosting is not automatically free. If you control a suitable machine and connection, self-hosting the official server is the clearest zero-price route. Expect to spend time on SteamCMD installation, JSON configuration, firewall and port forwarding, bandwidth management and maintenance. A free managed tier may remove some setup work but has uncertain terms and limited advertised resources. The in-game HOST option is the quickest way to play with friends, but it is a temporary peer-to-peer session rather than a persistent dedicated server.
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