How to Host an Arma Reforger Server: Rent, PC or VPS?
Compare managed hosting, a home PC and a VPS for an Arma Reforger server. Choose by platform, uptime, setup work, mods and who will maintain it.
You will need
- Know whether your group plays on PC, Xbox, PS5 or a mix
- Decide who will keep the server updated and recover its world
Picking a route is the real first step when you want to host an Arma Reforger server. You can run the dedicated server on a PC you control, rent a virtual private server (VPS) and manage it yourself, or choose managed game hosting. Each can keep a shared world running; the difference is who handles the machine, network and upkeep.
For a small group that plays at the same time and has a willing PC owner, self-hosting can be a sensible start. A VPS suits someone who wants operating-system control but does not want the server on a home connection. Managed hosting is a better fit when you want a panel for common server controls and do not want to maintain the operating system or home router. If you already know you want help with the installation itself, our Arma Reforger dedicated server guide covers the setup route.
Which Arma Reforger hosting route fits your group?#
Start with your group rather than a slot count. Ask whether Xbox or PS5 players need to join, whether the world should be available when the owner is offline, and who will troubleshoot a failed update or incompatible mod. This quick comparison helps narrow the choice:
| Route | Best fit | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Managed game hosting | A group that wants a persistent dedicated server with routine controls in a panel | A recurring plan, provider region and panel workflow to evaluate |
| Home PC | A cost-conscious PC owner who can keep the machine and connection available | Router forwarding, power, home upload and hands-on updates are yours |
| VPS | An administrator who wants root access and a remote machine | You still install, secure, configure, update and back up the server |
These routes refer to the dedicated server. Arma Reforger also has an in-game player-hosted session, but that depends on the player and game session. It is a different choice from an always-available dedicated world. Our guide to playing Arma Reforger with friends lays out the broader ways a group can play together.
The official Bohemia server hosting guide separates player-hosted sessions from dedicated servers. A player-hosted session begins in the game and is available to PC players; dedicated server software runs on a PC outside a player’s console. Console players can join supported cross-platform dedicated servers, but an Xbox or PS5 is not the machine that runs the server software.
When should you rent a managed server?#
Rent managed hosting when you want the server to live on a provider’s machine and prefer to manage game settings through a control panel instead of maintaining the underlying operating system. This is useful when different people play at different times, the server owner should not have to stay in-game, or the group includes console players.
Before choosing a plan, confirm that its region works for your players and inspect the controls you will actually use: scenario selection, crossplay, Workshop mod management, restarts and backups. Check the backup retention and recovery steps before moving an established world. A backup button or scheduled copy is not proof that a restore has been tested for your server.
For organizers who want a managed server with common Reforger controls in a panel, we recommend comparing Game Hosting’s Arma Reforger plans. The service lists access for PC, Xbox and PlayStation players, controls for settings, scenarios, crossplay and Bohemia Workshop mods, and three free backup slots. Its current region is Dallas, so check that location against your group. These are documented product controls, not a guarantee that every mod combination works on every client or that a particular restoration will succeed.
Managed hosting does not remove every admin task. Your group still needs to choose the intended scenario, keep server and clients on compatible game versions, review Workshop dependencies and decide who can administer the world. If your main question is which provider’s hardware or Reforger panel fits you, use our separate guide to choosing Arma Reforger server hosting.
Is a home PC a good dedicated server?#
A home PC can work when you already have a spare machine, can leave it on, and are comfortable making it reachable from outside your network. It gives you direct control and can avoid a monthly server rental. The costs still include electricity, heat, wear, internet service and the time spent maintaining it.
For public access, Bohemia’s hosting documentation explains that a home operator must forward the server’s network traffic through the router. The current server configuration reference lists UDP 2001 as the default game port. A2S querying on UDP 17777 and native RCON on UDP 19999 are optional defaults; they are not the game’s universal connection range. Router rules and firewall settings have to match the configuration you use. Exact installation and port-forwarding steps belong in our dedicated server setup walkthrough.
Your home upload capacity and connection stability affect everyone who joins. If you also play on the same computer, the server and game share that machine’s resources. Power-saving settings, restarts and a household router reboot can interrupt the server. A static public endpoint or other network setup may also take extra work. If that sounds acceptable, a home PC gives you hands-on control; if not, compare managed service and VPS options before opening router ports.
When is a VPS worth the extra administration?#
A VPS rents a remote virtual machine while leaving most server administration to you. It can avoid the home-router step and let you control the operating system, firewall, server files and update schedule. That control is valuable if you want to automate deployment or maintain a custom environment.
It also means you are responsible for more than the game process: install the correct dedicated server build, configure the firewall, maintain the JSON settings, manage Workshop dependencies, monitor storage, apply updates and preserve recoverable copies. Provider networking may require you to set the public address and port correctly. The official config reference distinguishes these backend registration fields from the local listen port, so do not copy a random sample without checking it against the current documentation.
Choose a VPS because you want operating-system access and are willing to keep it secure and maintained. Do not choose one just because “VPS” sounds more powerful. Advertised CPU or memory values alone do not prove a server will perform better for your scenario, mods and group. Our Arma Reforger host comparison covers provider details once you have decided managed hosting is the right route.
Can Xbox and PS5 players join your server?#
Yes, PC, Xbox and PS5 players can join the same dedicated server when cross-platform play is enabled and their game builds are compatible. Bohemia’s crossPlatform configuration property defaults to false, so an operator must check that the setting is on for a mixed-platform group. It is an all-platform setting; it does not select only Xbox and PlayStation while excluding PC. See our Arma Reforger crossplay guide for platform combinations and setup context.
Use the main stable branch for a mixed-console community unless you have verified every platform and mod against another branch. As checked on October 10, 2026, the latest stable release was 1.8.0.13. Experimental 1.9.0.10 had separate Steam and Xbox Experimental updates; Experimental is a separate, incompatible branch, and no PS5 Experimental release was listed in the current news. Do not assume that a console on the main version can join an Experimental server. Check Bohemia’s current release news before changing branches.
Mods need the same compatibility check. Reforger mods come from Bohemia Workshop, not Steam Workshop. A mod may be unavailable or incompatible on a particular platform or game build. The published client storage limits are 25 GB on PS5 and up to 50 GB on Xbox; these are client mod storage limits, not server disk allowances. Keep console players in mind when selecting mods, and credit each mod’s author if you publish a list or collection. For the full platform and Workshop details, read how Arma Reforger mods work across servers and consoles.
Who will protect the world and keep it current?#
Before the first long session, decide who checks version changes, monitors the server and owns recovery. Bohemia documents automatic persistence settings such as save interval and retained save count, but session saves are not the same as a separate host backup. A save can also depend on its scenario and mod context.
Before a scenario change, branch switch, mod overhaul or wipe, check the latest good backup and the documented recovery path. Do not assume that restoring is harmless or that a successful button click proves the world is usable. Avoid making a destructive change until an administrator knows what will be replaced and how to recover it. Our Arma Reforger persistence guide explains the difference between world saves and host backups.
Managed hosting can simplify scheduled copies and panel access, while home PC and VPS routes leave more of the backup routine to the operator. In every case, write down who can access the backup, how long it is retained and what to do if the current world will not start. Test a recovery path before you rely on it for a community event or a long-running campaign.
What is the simplest way to decide?#
Use a home PC if the owner accepts the network and maintenance work and your group does not need the machine elsewhere. Choose a VPS if root access and custom administration are worth the update, security and recovery workload. Pick managed hosting when you want a dedicated world for players on supported platforms and prefer a control panel for common game settings.
Then confirm the details that can strand a player: stable versus Experimental version, crossplay enabled, scenario capacity, Workshop mod compatibility, console storage and the server’s recovery plan. There is no universal player limit that replaces checking the chosen scenario and the server resources. Bohemia’s configuration schema permits a broad technical range, but that does not promise that every machine or scenario can sustain its maximum.
For the wider set of free, player-hosted and dedicated choices, see every way to play Arma Reforger with friends, or compare the practical limits of free Arma Reforger server hosting. If a managed dedicated server fits your group, compare the current Arma Reforger plan details with your platform mix and the provider’s stated region, backups and panel controls before you sign up.
Quick answers
Can I host an Arma Reforger server on Xbox or PS5?
You can play on supported dedicated servers from Xbox or PS5, but the dedicated server itself runs on a PC. For a mixed group, use a server with cross-platform play enabled and compatible game versions.
What is the easiest way to host an Arma Reforger server?
A managed game-hosting plan handles the server environment and gives you a panel for settings, scenarios and Workshop mods. You still choose compatible versions and mods, and you should understand the backup and restore process.
Can I host an Arma Reforger server for free?
A spare PC can avoid a hosting subscription, but it still uses electricity, internet capacity and your time. Compare the PC, VPS and managed routes before deciding who will maintain the server.