Self-hosting is better when you already have an always-on computer or VPS, want unrestricted access to Colony Survival’s files and configuration, and are prepared to handle networking, updates, backups, security, and uptime. Renting is better when you want a public server online quickly and prefer someone else to operate the underlying machine. A current provider benchmark starts at $12.00 per month before applicable taxes, but that provider currently says paid ordering is not open, so availability must be confirmed before purchase.
Colony Survival supports several arrangements: temporary co-op from the game menu, a dedicated process running on a logged-in PC, or a headless Docker server on a VPS, NAS, or similar machine. The right choice depends less on the game’s license cost than on your hardware, internet connection, expected players, tolerance for maintenance, and need for control.
What server-hosting options does Colony Survival support?
Colony Survival can be played online or over LAN, and the Steam listing says you can launch a co-op server from the main menu and invite friends. For a server that remains available without the game owner actively playing, the developer documents a dedicated server tool with both conventional and headless setups.
Co-op from the game menu
The in-game co-op option is the simplest arrangement. One player starts the world and invites others; access generally lasts while that host is running the session. It is suitable for occasional play with a small, trusted group, but it is not a substitute for an always-on community server.
A dedicated process on a PC
You can run the colonyserver executable manually on a Windows or Linux computer. The developer’s guide says Steam must be started and logged in for this approach. The machine has to remain powered on, connected, and able to keep the server process running whenever players expect to join.
Headless Docker hosting
For a VPS, NAS, or comparable Linux-capable machine, the developer recommends the Docker Compose files included in gamedata/help/hosting_docker/. The published image is pipliz/colony-survival-dedicated-server:latest. SteamCMD files and the game installation are kept in persistent storage outside the container, while a mounted server.config.json supplies the server’s settings.
SteamDB lists the dedicated server as a free-to-download tool for Windows and Linux; its metadata record was updated on September 15, 2026. The game supports modded play and both private and public server modes, so either self-hosted or rented infrastructure can serve a much larger purpose than a temporary co-op session.
How much hardware does a Colony Survival server need?
The current Steam listing identifies 2 GB of RAM as the minimum and 4 GB as the recommended amount for the dedicated server. Treat those figures as a starting point, not a guaranteed player-capacity calculation: the listing does not publish a universal player count, and actual demand varies with simultaneous players, world activity, mods, operating system overhead, and background services.
For a home PC
- Reserve at least the game’s stated memory baseline, with additional headroom for the operating system, Steam, Docker if used, and other services.
- Use wired networking when possible. Wi-Fi interference and router power-saving behavior can look like game-server instability.
- Keep the machine awake and prevent automatic sleep or hibernation during scheduled play.
- Use storage with enough free space for the installation, persistent world data, logs, updates, and backups.
For a VPS or managed plan
- Check the plan’s assigned memory and CPU policy rather than relying on a marketing label such as “gaming” or “unlimited.”
- Confirm storage type and capacity, where the data center is located, and whether you can increase resources without rebuilding the server.
- Ask how inbound ports, firewall rules, IPv4 or IPv6, and DDoS handling work for a public server.
Neither the Steam listing nor the provider benchmark establishes a guaranteed number of concurrent players for a particular allocation. Test your actual world and mod set before promising a capacity to a community.
How do I self-host a Colony Survival server?
Self-hosting gives you direct control of the executable, persistent files, Docker configuration, and server.config.json. It also makes you responsible for every operational layer.
Option 1: Run the dedicated process on a PC
- Install the free dedicated server tool for your operating system through the platform’s tools listing.
- Prepare a machine that meets the memory baseline, has adequate storage, and can stay powered on for the hours your group needs.
- Start Steam and sign in, as required by the developer’s documented PC process.
- Launch the
colonyserverexecutable and set the server’s configuration, world, access, and mod options through the files supplied with the tool. - Configure the router and host firewall so the server’s required traffic can reach the process. The exact port and forwarding syntax depends on your network equipment and the configuration you select.
- Connect from a second device on the same network first. Then test an external connection using a player who is not on your home network.
- Record the location of the persistent world and configuration files, and make a backup before changing versions or mods.
Option 2: Use the supplied Docker Compose files
- Choose a VPS, NAS, or another machine that can run Docker and has persistent storage.
- Copy or otherwise use the Compose setup in
gamedata/help/hosting_docker/from the dedicated-server files. - Review the Compose file before starting it. Confirm where SteamCMD data, the game installation, world data, logs, and configuration are mounted.
- Set the mounted
server.config.jsonfor your server name, access mode, world, and other supported options. - Start the Compose application using the Docker tools installed on your system, then inspect its logs for download, startup, and permission errors.
- Verify that the game files and world survive a container restart. Persistence outside the image is essential; otherwise a replacement container can lose the data you expected to keep.
- Open only the required network access, test a remote connection, and schedule backups of the mounted data.
The Docker image is tagged latest, which is convenient but means an image refresh can change the server software. Decide when you will pull updates, test them, and roll back if a mod or world behaves differently. Keeping a known-good copy of the persistent files is more important than updating immediately.
What self-hosting maintenance actually includes
- Keeping the process or container running and restarting it after crashes or reboots.
- Maintaining SteamCMD and the game installation, including deciding when updates are applied.
- Editing configuration and mod files without overwriting the active world.
- Monitoring disk space, memory use, logs, and network reachability.
- Backing up the world and testing that a restore works.
- Securing the host operating system, Docker installation, router, and administrator credentials.
- Explaining connection details and troubleshooting to your players.
What do you get when you rent a Colony Survival server?
A managed host supplies a data-center machine, a control panel or console, and file access. That removes the need to buy hardware, maintain a home connection, or build the base operating environment yourself, but it does not automatically remove game administration.
The researched Host Matey listing shows packages starting at $12.00 per month in 2026, excluding applicable taxes. It advertises 5% off quarterly billing and 10% off annual billing. The same page states that paid ordering is not open yet, so the figure is a listed starting price rather than confirmation that a plan can currently be purchased.
Before ordering any provider’s plan, verify the exact CPU allocation, memory, storage, location, port policy, support hours, cancellation terms, migration method, and backup behavior. The listing confirms console and file controls, but it does not establish a universal backup policy or uptime guarantee. Unless a plan explicitly includes those services, you remain responsible for world settings, permissions, mods, and independent backups.
Is renting cheaper than self-hosting?
There is no universal winner because self-hosting costs depend on equipment and electricity that you may already own. Renting converts much of the infrastructure cost into a predictable recurring bill, while self-hosting can be inexpensive when a suitable machine and internet connection are already available.
| Cost item | Self-hosting | Renting |
|---|---|---|
| Server plan | No separate hosting-plan charge when you use existing hardware or a VPS you already pay for; a new VPS still has its own bill. | Host Matey lists a starting package of $12.00/month in 2026, before applicable taxes; paid ordering is currently not open. |
| Hardware | Purchase price or depreciation for an always-on PC, NAS, or VPS. | Included in the provider’s service price, subject to the plan’s resource limits. |
| Electricity | Paid by you for a home machine or NAS. | Normally included in the hosting charge. |
| Internet and networking | Your ISP, router, port-forwarding work, and possible upgrades. | Provider network and data-center connectivity, subject to its policies. |
| Backups | You choose storage and frequency and pay for any additional destination. | Included only if the plan says so; the benchmark does not establish a universal policy. |
| Administration | Your time for updates, security, monitoring, and recovery. | Machine and base-service administration is transferred to the provider, while game administration remains yours unless expressly included. |
Use a one-year calculation
For self-hosting, add the hardware cost or one-year depreciation, electricity, storage, backup media or cloud storage, and any networking changes. For renting, multiply the current monthly charge by 12, then add taxes, optional services, and backup costs. Apply any stated billing discount only to the eligible rental period: the listed benchmark says quarterly billing is 5% lower and annual billing is 10% lower.
This calculation should use your actual power price, machine consumption, and provider quote. A free dedicated-server download does not mean self-hosting is cost-free, and a low monthly plan may become expensive if you need more memory, backups, or a distant upgrade.
Which choice gives more control?
Self-hosting wins on control. You can choose the operating system, update timing, Docker files, persistent-volume layout, configuration, mods, firewall, and backup destination. That flexibility is valuable when you need a nonstandard setup or want to inspect and automate every part of the server.
Renting gives you console and file access within the provider’s boundaries. Shared CPU policies, preset memory tiers, supported operating systems, and panel limitations can restrict what you change. In exchange, you avoid maintaining the physical or virtual machine and usually receive a simpler path to starting and stopping the service.
Which option is more reliable for friends or a public community?
A home server is available only when your power, router, ISP, and host computer are working. Consumer connections may change public addresses, block inbound traffic, or suffer outages. You must also account for reboots, sleep settings, and the possibility that nobody notices a stopped process.
A VPS or managed host places the machine in a data center and can therefore avoid many home-network interruptions, but it is not automatically reliable. Check the provider’s location, network policy, maintenance process, support route, backup terms, and any written service-level commitment. The developer’s guide confirms VPS and NAS hosting as practical options, but it does not promise a universal uptime percentage.
For a public server, reliability also includes recovery. Keep a second copy of the world, document the configuration, and know how to move the files to another machine or provider. A server that is online today but impossible to restore is a fragile server regardless of where it runs.
Which choice fits different player groups?
Two or three friends who play together occasionally
Start with in-game co-op if the host is normally present. A dedicated installation is worthwhile when players need to enter without waiting for the host, but renting may add a recurring cost that does not solve a problem you actually have.
A small group that plays most evenings
Use an existing always-on PC or a modest VPS if someone in the group is comfortable with updates, port access, and backups. Rent when no one wants to maintain the machine or when home internet makes outside connections unreliable.
A public or mod-heavy community
Favor a continuously available VPS or managed plan with documented resources, remote console access, persistent storage, and a migration path. Confirm mod compatibility and test updates on a copy of the world before applying them to the live server.
An administrator who wants maximum customization
Self-hosting is the stronger fit because you control the executable environment, Compose files, storage, and timing of changes. The trade-off is that every failure is also your troubleshooting task.
What should I check before choosing a rental plan?
- Current availability: confirm the provider is accepting paid orders; a published price alone is not proof of availability.
- Resources: compare assigned CPU, memory, storage, and any limits on upgrades. The provider benchmark does not state a guaranteed player count.
- Location: choose a data center reasonably close to the majority of players and ask whether the location can be changed later.
- Files and console: verify that you can download the world, edit configuration, install supported mods, and restart the process without support intervention.
- Backups: ask how often backups run, how long they are retained, whether restores cost extra, and whether you can download an independent copy.
- Network access: check ports, IPv4 or IPv6 support, firewall controls, and any traffic restrictions.
- Support and exit: read response-time commitments, cancellation rules, data-export procedures, and the process for moving to a VPS or home machine.
How should I decide?
Choose self-hosting when you already have suitable hardware or a VPS, can keep it online, and value direct control over files, configuration, updates, and storage. Choose renting when rapid deployment, a data-center connection, and reduced infrastructure work matter more than choosing every underlying resource.
Write down your expected simultaneous players, mod list, preferred location, backup requirement, and one-year budget before committing. Compare those inputs with the 2 GB minimum and 4 GB recommended memory figures, then test the actual world rather than assuming a provider’s package name guarantees performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a Colony Survival server without keeping the game open?
Yes. The developer documents a dedicated executable and a headless Docker setup for a VPS, NAS, or similar machine. The ordinary co-op menu is the option tied to the host’s active session, while the dedicated approaches are intended to remain available independently.
Does the Colony Survival dedicated server cost extra?
The dedicated-server tool is listed as free to download for Windows and Linux. You still pay for the computer, electricity, VPS, internet service, storage, and administration needed to keep it online.
Will 2 GB of RAM support my whole community?
The Steam listing labels 2 GB as a minimum and 4 GB as recommended, but it does not promise a player count for either figure. Measure your own world with the intended simultaneous players and mods before selecting a fixed resource tier.
Are rented Colony Survival servers automatically backed up?
Not necessarily. Backup frequency, retention, and restore access depend on the specific plan; the published benchmark confirms console and file controls but does not establish a universal backup policy. Keep an independent copy of your world even when a host advertises backups.