How Much Does It Cost to Host a Sons of the Forest Server?
What a Sons of the Forest server really costs — the factors that set the price (small co-op counts, RAM, CPU), the typical monthly ranges, and how to size a persistent co-op world for you and your friends.
A Sons of the Forest server typically runs from around €8-15 a month. It's a small co-op game (usually up to 8 players), so you don't pay for big slot counts — the cost is driven mainly by RAM and a decent CPU to keep a busy base area smooth. The value is a persistent world that stays online when you log off.
Below is what each factor does to the price. For exact pricing, see our Sons of the Forest server hosting plans.
What you'll need
A quick checklist before you begin — have these ready and the rest is easy.
- A small co-op player count (usually up to 8).
- A host with a few GB of RAM and a modern CPU.
- A world that stays online and saved 24/7.
- On Linux, a host that runs the Windows server binary for you.
- DDoS protection included for a public server.
What actually drives the price
Player count — small co-op
Sons of the Forest co-op is usually up to 8 players. That keeps the cost modest — you don't pay for the big slot counts large-scale games need.
up to 8 players a typical co-op group
RAM
A modest amount of RAM runs an 8-player world comfortably — a few GB, more if bases get large. It's far lighter than heavyweight survival games like ARK.
4 GB+ a typical co-op world
CPU
A modern high-clock core keeps busy base areas smooth. SOTF isn't huge, but dense bases are the thing that benefits from a decent CPU.
Persistent world value
The point of a dedicated server is a world that stays online and saved when you log off, so friends can play any time. That 24/7 persistence is what you're paying for over a peer-to-peer session.
Managed vs self-host
Self-hosting is possible but ties up a PC 24/7 and exposes your IP. Managed hosting keeps the world always-online with backups and DDoS protection — and on Linux, handles the Windows server binary for you.
Right-size a co-op world
Small co-op, small plan
SOTF tops out around 8 players. Don't pay for a big slot count the game doesn't use — a modest plan covers a co-op group.
You're paying for persistence
The real value is a world that stays online and saved 24/7. That's what a dedicated server gives you over a peer-to-peer session.
A modern core for busy bases
Dense base areas benefit from a decent CPU. It's not a heavy game, but a modern high-clock core keeps it smooth.
Protection included
Even a small server can be attacked. A host that bundles DDoS protection keeps sessions safe.
Common problems & fixes
Hit a snag? These are the issues people run into most — and how to solve them.
Players lag in big base areas
Dense bases are CPU-heavy. A modern high-clock core keeps it smooth — or cap MaxPlayers slightly lower.
I bought a big slot plan I don't use
SOTF co-op is up to ~8 players. Downsize to a modest plan.
My world resets when my PC is off
That's peer-to-peer, not a dedicated server. A dedicated server keeps the world online and saved 24/7 — that's the whole point.
Friends can't find the server
That's a ports issue, not plan size — see our fix for Sons of the Forest not showing.
Skip the setup — host it with ESAGAMES
Want your Sons of the Forest world online 24/7? Our SOTF hosting keeps it persistent with backups and DDoS protection included, high-clock CPUs in Frankfurt — online in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Sons of the Forest server cost per month?
Typically €8-15. It's a small co-op game (usually up to 8 players), so RAM and a decent CPU drive the modest cost rather than big slot counts.
How much RAM does a Sons of the Forest server need?
A few GB runs an 8-player world comfortably, with a bit more if bases get large. It's far lighter than heavyweight survival games like ARK or Rust.
How many players can a Sons of the Forest server hold?
Co-op is usually up to 8 players. The game is built around small groups, so you don't need — or pay for — big slot counts.
Why host a dedicated Sons of the Forest server instead of peer-to-peer?
A dedicated server keeps the world online and saved 24/7, so friends can play any time and your progress persists between sessions — which a peer-to-peer game (only up while the host is online) can't do. That persistence is what you pay for.
Is it cheaper to self-host Sons of the Forest?
Only if you have a spare PC to leave on 24/7 and accept the exposed IP. Because the value is a persistent always-online world, a cheap managed plan — which also handles the Windows server binary on Linux — is usually the easier choice.
Does Sons of the Forest need a powerful server?
No — it's modest. A few GB of RAM and a modern high-clock core keep an 8-player world smooth. Dense base areas are the main thing that benefits from a decent CPU.
Keep reading
Sons of the Forest is a trademark of Endnight Games. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Endnight Games. Prices vary by provider and configuration; see our plans for current pricing.
