Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesA Factorio server can cost $0 in server software when you run the free Linux headless package on hardware you already own. Your real self-hosting costs are electricity, internet service, storage, backups and administration. Managed hosting adds a recurring provider charge; one current example is CA$9.99 per month for an eight-slot dedicated server, listed by ForgeWorld Gaming on 11 October 2026. Factorio itself is a separate one-time game purchase, not a monthly server subscription.
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The short answer: separate the game, software and infrastructure costs
There are three different payments people often call the “server cost.” First is the Factorio game license. Wube Software sells it as a one-time purchase that includes downloadable access, the mod portal, multiplayer matching-server access and verified-server access. The live purchase page should be checked for the current regional price because it can change; no fixed amount is established here.
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Second is the dedicated-server software. Wube’s FAQ states: “For Linux servers there is a free lightweight dedicated headless server package.” A headless server runs without the graphical client, so there is no second game purchase just to run the server process.
Third is the machine and service that keep the process online. An old desktop, NAS, home server or virtual private server may already be available, making the incremental software bill zero. You still consume power, internet capacity and disk space, and someone must handle updates, backups and failures. A managed host bundles much of that work into a monthly fee.
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| Route | Recurring cash charge | Up-front purchase | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Existing PC, NAS or home server | No server-software fee; electricity and internet still apply | None if suitable hardware is already owned | Lowest cash cost, but you provide uptime, networking, backups and support |
| New self-hosted hardware | Power, internet and maintenance | Computer, storage or networking equipment | Full control, but hardware cost can exceed several months of hosting |
| VPS | Provider’s monthly virtual-machine price | Usually none beyond the game license | Control over the operating system, with responsibility for administration and capacity |
| Managed Factorio host | Provider subscription; one example is CA$9.99/month for eight slots | Usually none beyond the game license | Convenience, support and automation in exchange for recurring cost and less control |
Do you need to buy Factorio again for a dedicated server?
No additional copy is needed for the dedicated server software. Downloading and running the Linux headless package is distinct from buying the game client. The people who play still need access to Factorio through their own game licenses, while the machine running the headless process does not require a separate “server edition.”
The purchase is described by Wube as a membership that provides the game download, mod portal and multiplayer services. The available purchase information does not describe an official monthly server subscription. A hosting company’s invoice is therefore payment for infrastructure and administration, not a recurring fee from Wube for multiplayer.
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What self-hosting actually costs
Using an existing computer
If a spare PC, NAS or home server meets the requirements, the software cost is $0. The continuing bill is the extra electricity consumed while the machine is on. To estimate it, multiply the device’s average kilowatt draw by the hours it runs and your electricity tariff; the result depends on your hardware and utility region. A machine that is already powered on for other tasks may add very little incremental energy use, while a dedicated always-on desktop can be a meaningful monthly expense.
Your home internet plan also matters. Factorio’s traffic is generally modest compared with video streaming, but an always-online public service needs a stable connection and a router that can forward the game port. Your provider may use carrier-grade NAT, block inbound connections or impose data limits. Those restrictions can force you toward a tunnel, a public VPS or managed hosting even when the computer itself is free.
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Buying hardware specifically for the server
A new machine changes the calculation from “free hosting” to a capital purchase. Factorio lists a minimum of 4GB RAM, a dual-core 3GHz-or-faster processor and 3GB of disk space. The recommended memory figure is 8GB. These are published game requirements, not a promise that a very large factory or heavily modded save will run smoothly. Budget additional storage for save archives and backups rather than treating the 3GB figure as a complete server allocation.
Do not buy hardware solely by counting player slots. Simulation speed depends on the factory’s entities, trains, circuits, mods and save size. A faster CPU can matter more than adding memory once the process has enough RAM. A small, efficient machine may cost less to operate over a year than a powerful desktop, but the purchase price, replacement risk and setup time belong in the comparison.
Running on a VPS
A VPS supplies a public address and datacenter connectivity without requiring port forwarding at home. You pay the VPS provider’s monthly rate and administer the operating system, firewall, Factorio files, updates and backups. Verify that the plan provides sustained CPU performance rather than only burst credits, enough memory for your save and mods, and a disk that can hold multiple backup generations.
Location is a performance decision. Put the instance near most players to reduce latency, while checking whether the provider’s region has reliable connectivity. A cheap VPS with oversubscribed CPU time can perform worse than an older local PC. The price is not comparable to an eight-slot managed plan until you add your own administration time and backup storage.
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What managed Factorio hosting costs in 2026
One current listing from ForgeWorld Gaming, updated 11 October 2026, shows CA$9.99 per month for an eight-slot Factorio dedicated server. That is a single advertised plan, not a market average or a guarantee of performance. Currency, taxes, promotional terms, renewal pricing and available locations can change, so confirm them on the provider’s live order page before paying.
“Eight slots” describes the provider’s configured capacity, not the number of players your factory can simulate at full speed. Before comparing plans, request or verify the specifications that determine the experience:
- CPU allocation: Factorio’s simulation is sensitive to sustained processor performance. Ask whether cores are dedicated, shared or burstable.
- Memory: Compare the assigned RAM with your save size and mod set, not just the slot count.
- Region and network: Choose a datacenter close to the players and confirm that UDP traffic is supported.
- Backups: Check frequency, retention, off-machine storage and whether restoring a save is self-service.
- Mod and version management: Automatic downloads can save time, but you need a way to pin versions and recover from an incompatible update.
- Operations: Look for automatic restarts, crash recovery, log access, scheduled updates and a clear maintenance policy.
- Support and cancellation: Confirm response channels, refund rules, renewal price and how quickly data is deleted after cancellation.
A managed plan is often cheaper than buying a new always-on computer when your priority is convenience for a small group. It is not automatically cheaper than using a PC that already runs 24/7, especially if you value root access and can maintain the software yourself.
How the dedicated server works
Factorio can host multiplayer from the normal game while someone is playing, or it can run as a dedicated server. The dedicated process has no graphics; the command-line documentation describes the launch form as “Will start a Headless (Dedicated) server, with no GUI.” A typical invocation uses the save-file argument:
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factorio --start-server myfactory.zipThe default network port is UDP 34197. On a home connection, forward that UDP port from the router to the server’s local address and allow it through the machine’s firewall. A VPS or managed host normally handles the public address and perimeter networking, but you still need to confirm the port and any control-panel firewall rule.
Every participant and the server must use exactly matching Factorio versions and compatible mods. A version mismatch, a missing mod or a different mod version can prevent connection or make a save unusable. Keep a copy of the working save and mod list before changing the server version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Capacity, performance and the 500-player figure
Wube’s FAQ says Factorio supports multiplayer for up to 500 players. That is a stated product limit, not a practical promise for every factory or host. The Wiki notes that the usable limit depends on simulation load and hardware. A lightly modified map with a small group can run comfortably on modest equipment; a megabase with extensive trains, circuits and mods may require much more CPU headroom even with only a few players.
Use the published requirements as a floor: 4GB RAM minimum, 8GB recommended, a dual-core 3GHz-or-faster processor and 3GB of disk space. Reserve capacity for the operating system, logs, mod downloads and several saves. Watch simulation performance in-game rather than assuming a slot count proves that the server is fast. If the factory’s update rate falls, faster sustained CPU performance, reducing simulation-heavy mods or optimizing the factory may help more than simply increasing player slots.
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Step-by-step: choosing and launching the cheapest workable setup
- Count the players and schedule. Decide whether the server must run continuously or only during group sessions. A machine that is shut down between sessions has lower power and administration costs.
- Inventory your hardware. Check CPU model and sustained speed, available RAM, free disk space, operating-system support and whether the machine can remain online reliably.
- Choose the network path. For home hosting, confirm a public inbound connection and plan UDP 34197 port forwarding. If your ISP blocks inbound traffic or uses carrier-grade NAT, compare a VPS or managed host instead.
- Install the free Linux headless package. Keep the server files separate from your saves and record the Factorio version so updates can be rolled back.
- Create or copy a save. Test the server locally first, then launch it with
--start-serverand the save filename. - Match versions and mods. Install the exact game and mod versions used by the players. Export or document the mod list before making changes.
- Secure access. Use a firewall, limit administrative access and avoid exposing unrelated services on the same machine. For a home server, reserve its local IP so the port-forward rule does not break.
- Test a second connection. Have a player outside your local network connect. This catches firewall, NAT and port-forwarding errors that a same-network test can hide.
- Automate recovery. Configure a service manager or hosting-panel restart policy, scheduled saves and backups. Test restoring a backup before you need it.
Common cost surprises and how to avoid them
“Free” hardware that is unreliable
An old PC may have zero purchase cost but still cause downtime through failing disks, thermal throttling or forced operating-system restarts. Keep at least one recent backup off the server and schedule maintenance outside play sessions. Replacing a failed drive or adding a UPS is an infrastructure cost, not a Factorio license cost.
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If players cannot see the server, check that UDP 34197 is forwarded to the correct local address, permitted by the host firewall and reachable from the internet. Carrier-grade NAT and changing residential addresses can prevent inbound access. A VPS or managed host avoids home-router configuration but introduces its own monthly fee.
Version and mod drift
Automatic updates can change the server before every player has updated. Pin the game and mod versions for an active save, keep the previous files available and back up before upgrading. A failed mod update can cost more playtime than the monthly hosting bill.
Underestimating administration time
Self-hosting requires patching the operating system, monitoring disk usage, rotating backups, investigating crashes and helping players connect. If your group values predictable uptime more than root access, the managed fee may be a rational payment for saved time. If you enjoy administration and already own suitable hardware, the same fee may buy little additional value.
Which option is cheapest for your situation?
- Small group, existing always-on Linux machine: Self-hosting usually has the lowest additional cash cost. Account for electricity, backups and your time.
- Small group, no suitable hardware: Compare the purchase and power cost of a used or new machine with several months of managed hosting. Managed hosting may win on convenience and immediate availability.
- Players in several regions: A VPS or managed host near the group can provide a better public network path than a residential connection, even if the monthly price is higher.
- Large or heavily modded factory: Choose by sustained CPU, memory and backup controls rather than the advertised slot number. Test the actual save before committing long term.
- Occasional sessions only: Run a self-hosted server only when needed, or select a plan that allows stopping or cancelling without losing backups. A continuously billed server may cost more than the play schedule justifies.
The practical 2026 baseline is therefore straightforward: the Factorio server software itself is free on Linux, the game license is a separate one-time purchase, and infrastructure determines the ongoing bill. Self-hosting can approach zero additional cash cost when equipment and connectivity already exist; managed hosting trades that control for a predictable monthly charge, with CA$9.99 per month for eight slots serving as one current example rather than a universal price.
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