For a small group that only plays when one person is online, Barotrauma’s built-in player hosting is the easiest choice. If you want a persistent campaign, direct control over files and mods, and the ability to run the world while you are away, a dedicated server you manage is usually the better value. Renting a managed server is worth considering when you need 24/7 availability, a convenient control panel, backups, support, or a data-center location without handling networking and maintenance yourself.
The right answer depends less on raw performance than on who will handle ports, updates, backups, monitoring, and failures. This guide compares all four practical approaches: in-game hosting, a dedicated server on your own hardware, a self-managed VPS or dedicated machine, and a managed game-server rental.
What are the ways to host a Barotrauma server?
Barotrauma has four useful hosting models. They differ mainly in persistence, administrative control, networking work, and who pays for and maintains the underlying machine.
In-game player hosting
You create the server from the normal game client and play as the host. Barotrauma can use Steam networking, NAT punchthrough, and Steam relay servers, so the host generally does not have to configure router ports. This is the lowest-friction option for occasional sessions, but the campaign ends when the host leaves unless someone else takes over.
Dedicated self-host on a home PC or owned machine
DedicatedServer.exe is a command-line program with no graphical interface. The official Barotrauma Wiki says it has less impact on the computer than running the full game and is the preferred way to keep a server running without the owner being in the game. You retain the save files, configuration, permissions, and mod directories, but you are responsible for firewall rules, router forwarding, updates, backups, and uptime.
Self-managed VPS or dedicated server
A rented virtual or physical machine gives you a remote always-on computer while preserving administrative control. SteamCMD installs the dedicated-server application with AppID 1026340, and LinuxGSM can add update, validation, monitoring, log, backup, and scheduled-task workflows. This approach suits operators comfortable with Linux, SSH, services, and troubleshooting; the rental itself does not remove that work.
Managed game-server rental
A managed provider supplies the machine, network connection, control panel, and some combination of support, backups, mod tools, and location choices. One provider advertises Barotrauma-specific deployment, Steam Workshop support, offsite backups, DDoS protection, worldwide locations, and continuous uptime. Those are provider claims rather than universal features, so confirm each item for the plan and region you would buy.
Which option is best for a small Barotrauma group?
Use in-game hosting when the host is always present and the group values simplicity above persistence. Move to a dedicated self-host when the campaign should continue while the owner is out of the game and someone in the group can maintain a machine. Choose a managed rental when nobody wants to own the operational chores or when predictable availability matters more than minimizing the monthly bill.
| Hosting model | Stays online when owner is away? | Router work | Control over files and updates | Who maintains it? | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-game player host | No, normally | Usually none with Steam networking and relays | Limited to game-client options | The player hosting that session | Occasional play with a small, trusted crew |
| Home dedicated server | Yes, while the machine and connection stay up | Firewall permission and often manual forwarding | Full | You or another group member | Persistent campaigns with available technical help |
| Self-managed VPS or dedicated machine | Yes, subject to the rental and your administration | Usually data-center firewall rules rather than a home router | Full, including operating system and service stack | You | Advanced operators who want remote control |
| Managed rental | Designed to be always available, subject to the provider | Usually handled by the provider | Depends on the panel and plan | Provider for infrastructure; you for game configuration | Crews wanting support, backups, and convenience |
Is a dedicated self-host worth the extra setup?
It is worth it when persistent availability and ownership of the server data matter. The dedicated process consumes fewer resources than running the full client, and you can schedule updates, preserve saves, choose permissions, and install the exact mod set your campaign requires. The trade-off is that every failure becomes your problem.
What you need on Windows
The dedicated executable is included with a Barotrauma installation. You can also install the server files through SteamCMD:
- Install SteamCMD on the machine that will run the server.
- Open a terminal in the SteamCMD directory.
- Log in anonymously with
login anonymous. - Install or update the application with
app_update 1026340 validate. - Start it with
app_run 1026340.
Because the program is command-line only, use a service manager, scheduled task, or a persistent terminal session if the server must restart after a reboot. Keep the save folder and configuration files outside any disposable download directory so that an update does not make your backups difficult to find.
What you need on Linux
Linux deployments may require distribution-specific OpenSSL compatibility work. The official Wiki page that documents dedicated hosting was last updated for version 0.18.15.0 while displaying current version 1.13.4.0, so treat its dependency commands as a starting point and verify them against the current game release and your distribution. LinuxGSM can automate common operations, including updates, force-updates, validation, logs, backups, monitoring, and cron jobs, but it does not remove the need to understand your operating system.
Which files control the server?
Edit serversettings.xml for server settings. Use the client-permissions configuration and console commands for administration, such as assigning staff privileges or managing players. Back up the settings file, permission data, and campaign saves together; restoring only the save can leave a campaign with mismatched rules or missing access controls.
Do you need to port forward Barotrauma?
For in-game Steam hosting, generally not. For DedicatedServer.exe using the traditional method, expect to allow the program through the host firewall and forward the server ports on your router unless your network setup provides another reachable path.
Which ports does a dedicated server use?
The official documentation lists UDP game port 27015 and query port 27016. Confirm the actual values in serversettings.xml before changing a router or firewall: a custom configuration, another service, or a second server may use different ports. Forward only the ports the configuration actually enables, and restrict administrative access to trusted users.
Can UPnP solve forwarding?
UPnP can sometimes create the router mapping automatically, but the official FAQ warns that manual forwarding may still be necessary. UPnP also gives applications permission to request mappings, which some households disable for security reasons. If players cannot see or join the server, test the firewall and router rules separately rather than assuming the game is at fault.
What if the home network cannot accept inbound connections?
A UDP tunnel is a workaround. playit.gg documents forwarding local port 27015 through a tunnel, with query port 27016 optional; players then use Barotrauma’s Direct Join with the tunnel address. This adds an intermediary service and is not the same as owning a public, directly reachable server or buying managed hosting.
What does renting a managed server actually buy?
Renting transfers hardware, electricity, data-center connectivity, and much of the uptime work to a provider. You still choose the campaign settings, permissions, and mods, but a control panel can make common actions safer than editing files over SSH.
Convenience and persistence
A managed server can remain online while every player is away, allowing a campaign to be resumed without waiting for the owner’s home PC to boot. Provider pages commonly advertise instant setup, control panels, automated or offsite backups, support, and Steam Workshop integration. Confirm whether backups are automatic, how long they are retained, and whether you can download them before relying on them for an important campaign.
Locations and latency
Data-center location can reduce the distance to most players and make connection quality more consistent than a residential upload connection. Ask whether the location list applies to Barotrauma specifically, whether you can migrate regions later, and whether a location change requires a new address or a downtime window.
Support and provider claims
One provider states that it hosts more than 250 Barotrauma servers and describes the service as always online; both statements come from its own pages and should be verified directly before purchase. “Always online” does not mean zero maintenance, zero outages, or a guarantee that every mod will work. Read the service terms for scheduled maintenance, restore procedures, cancellation, and data ownership.
How should you compare cost?
There is no reliable break-even number from the available evidence because current, comparable monthly prices are not established for home hosting, VPS rental, and managed Barotrauma plans. A fair comparison includes more than the advertised subscription.
- Home dedicated server: hardware depreciation, electricity, cooling, internet capacity, replacement parts, and the value of your maintenance time.
- Self-managed VPS: the server rental, storage and backup charges, operating-system administration, monitoring, and recovery time.
- Managed rental: the monthly plan, extra storage or backup fees, premium locations, player-slot limits, and any support or mod restrictions.
- In-game hosting: usually no separate server bill, but the campaign is tied to the host’s play schedule and home connection.
For a short-lived campaign, avoiding a recurring bill may outweigh every other factor. For a long-running world, the cost of losing a save or spending several hours repairing a failed update can matter more than a small monthly difference.
Which is better for a modded Barotrauma campaign?
Both dedicated self-hosts and rented servers can run custom configurations and mods. Self-hosting gives you unrestricted access to the files and update timing; managed hosting may provide a Workshop selector, file manager, and backup controls that reduce routine work.
Self-hosting a mod set
- Record the exact mod list and load order used by the campaign.
- Install or update the server files before changing the live world.
- Back up the save,
serversettings.xml, permissions, and mod configuration. - Apply one change at a time and validate the installation.
- Have players update to the same mod versions before joining.
Keep a known-good copy so you can roll back after a broken Workshop update. A dedicated process does not automatically make incompatible mods compatible; it only separates server runtime from the graphical client.
Using a managed panel
Check that the plan supports the exact Workshop items, custom files, maps, and downloadable content your campaign uses. Ask how a mod update is rolled back, whether the panel exposes load order, and whether support staff will restore a backup or merely point you to documentation. Never assume that a provider’s general “mod support” includes every third-party dependency.
What maintenance does a self-hosted server require?
Plan a small operations routine instead of treating the server as a one-time install.
- Before updates: stop the server cleanly and copy the campaign save and configuration files.
- During updates: use SteamCMD validation or your management tool, then review the console log for download or dependency errors.
- After updates: test a private join, permissions, mod loading, and save creation before inviting the full crew.
- Weekly or per session: verify that backups are recent and restorable, not merely that a backup job reported success.
- After a crash: inspect logs, check disk space and memory, and restart only after identifying whether the failure came from the game, a mod, or the operating system.
LinuxGSM documents scheduled tasks, monitoring, logs, backups, and validation, while the official Wiki notes that dedicated hosting has a lower performance impact than running the full game. Neither source establishes a universal CPU, RAM, bandwidth, or player-count requirement that guarantees smooth performance for every modded campaign, so measure your own workload and leave headroom for save operations and mod behavior.
How do you choose between self-hosting and renting?
Answer these questions in order; the first “yes” often determines the practical choice.
- Must the world be available while the owner is away? If no, use in-game hosting. If yes, continue.
- Can someone maintain a machine, ports, updates, and backups? If yes, a home dedicated server or self-managed VPS can provide maximum control. If no, continue.
- Do you need full operating-system and file control? If yes, choose a self-managed VPS or owned machine and accept the administration. If no, continue.
- Are support, a control panel, backups, and location selection worth a recurring fee? If yes, compare managed providers and verify their exact features. If no, reconsider whether a persistent server is necessary.
For a technically capable group with a stable home connection, a dedicated self-host is often the strongest value. For a distributed group that plays at irregular times, managed hosting buys convenience and continuity. A VPS sits between them: it avoids home-router limitations but still expects you to be the system administrator.
What are the most common failure points?
Players cannot connect to a home server
Confirm the port in serversettings.xml, allow the executable through the host firewall, and verify the router’s UDP forwarding target. Check whether your internet provider uses carrier-grade NAT; if inbound connections are impossible, use a documented UDP tunnel or move the server to a reachable VPS or managed host.
The server appears online but rejects joins
Check that the query and game ports are not swapped, that the server is running the expected game version, and that clients have matching mods and load order. A successful process start does not prove that the configured ports are reachable from outside your network.
An update breaks the campaign
Stop changing multiple variables at once. Restore the last known-good save and configuration, validate the server files, then reintroduce mod updates individually. Keep dated backups before every game or mod update so recovery does not depend on an automatic provider snapshot.
The Linux server fails before launching
Review the current game version and distribution-specific OpenSSL requirements rather than copying an old command unchanged. The official hosting page’s version note makes this especially important: its instructions reference 0.18.15.0 while the page displays 1.13.4.0.
What is the practical verdict?
Choose in-game hosting for occasional sessions where everyone plays together. Choose a dedicated self-host when you want a persistent world, have networking and maintenance skills, and value complete control over files, mods, and update timing. Choose a managed rental when uptime, support, backups, and geographic choice justify paying someone else to operate the infrastructure. No option is universally superior; the best one is the model whose operational responsibilities your crew will consistently meet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a Barotrauma dedicated server and play on the same PC?
Yes. The dedicated executable is separate from the full game client, and the official documentation describes it as having less performance impact than hosting through the game. You still need enough CPU, memory, disk, and network headroom for both processes, especially with large mod collections.
Can I move a Barotrauma campaign from home hosting to a rented server?
Usually, you can transfer the campaign save along with the server settings, permissions, and mod configuration. The destination must use compatible game and mod versions, so make a backup and test the transferred world privately before allowing normal play.
Is a VPN the same as a Barotrauma server tunnel?
No. A VPN changes how devices reach a network, while a UDP tunnel forwards selected traffic through an intermediary address. A tunnel can help when inbound connections are blocked, but it adds a service dependency and does not provide the backups, control panel, or support of managed hosting.
How often should I back up a Barotrauma server?
Back up before every game, server, or mod update and after meaningful campaign progress. Retain multiple dated copies in a separate location, then periodically perform a test restore so you know the files are usable rather than merely present.