How Much Does It Cost to Host an SCP: SL Server?
What an SCP: Secret Laboratory server really costs — the factors that set the price (player count, EXILED plugins, RAM), the typical monthly ranges, and why SCP: SL is one of the cheaper games to host despite its chaos.
SCP: Secret Laboratory is light, so it's cheap: roughly €6-12 a month for a typical server. Rounds are usually up to ~25-30 players, and the base server needs little — the main thing that raises the cost is running a big EXILED plugin stack for custom roles and events.
Below is what each factor does to the price. For exact pricing, see our SCP: Secret Laboratory server hosting plans.
What you'll need
A quick checklist before you begin — have these ready and the rest is easy.
- A small player count (rounds ~25-30).
- Whether you'll run a big EXILED plugin stack.
- A host with 1-4 GB plans depending on plugins.
- DDoS protection included for a public server.
- A low-latency location for your players.
What actually drives the price
Player count — small rounds
SCP: SL rounds are usually up to ~25-30 players. That keeps the base cost low — you don't pay for the huge slot counts big-battle games need.
~25-30 players a typical full round
RAM — light
A vanilla server runs on 1-2 GB; a plugin-heavy server wants a bit more. SCP: SL is one of the lighter games on RAM, which is why it's cheap to host.
1-2 GB vanilla / light 3-4 GB heavy EXILED plugin stack
EXILED plugins
Vanilla is lightest. A big EXILED stack (custom roles, events, QoL) adds some CPU and RAM, but SCP: SL stays cheap to host even with plenty of plugins.
CPU
A modest modern core comfortably runs a full round. Network quality and low ping matter more than raw CPU power for SCP: SL.
Managed vs self-host
Because SCP: SL is light, self-hosting on a spare PC is viable — but it still ties up the PC 24/7, needs port-forwarding and exposes your IP. Managed hosting keeps it always-online with LocalAdmin and plugins handled for a low fee.
Cheap chaos
SCP: SL is light and cheap
It needs very little, so it's among the cheapest servers to run. A small plan covers a typical round.
Plugins are the only real cost
Vanilla is tiny. Budget a little more only if you run a big EXILED stack of custom roles and events.
Small rounds, small plan
Rounds top out around 25-30 players. You don't need a big slot plan the game won't use.
Protection included
Even a small server can be attacked. A host with DDoS protection keeps rounds running.
Common problems & fixes
Hit a snag? These are the issues people run into most — and how to solve them.
My plugin-heavy server needs more RAM
A big EXILED stack adds RAM. Budget 3-4 GB for lots of plugins, or run vanilla on 1-2 GB.
I bought a big slot plan I don't use
SCP: SL rounds are ~25-30 players. Downsize to a small plan.
Self-hosting ties up my PC
SCP: SL is light, but the PC must stay on 24/7 and exposes your IP. A cheap managed plan removes both.
The server isn't listing
That's the port/verification, not the plan — see our fix for SCP: Secret Laboratory not showing.
Skip the setup — host it with ESAGAMES
Want a cheap, always-online SCP: SL server? Our SCP: Secret Laboratory hosting handles LocalAdmin and EXILED plugins with DDoS protection included, on a low-latency Frankfurt network — online in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an SCP: Secret Laboratory server cost per month?
Typically €6-12 for a standard server. SCP: SL is one of the cheaper games to host because it's light on RAM and rounds are small. A big EXILED plugin stack is the main thing that raises the cost.
How much RAM does an SCP: SL server need?
1-2 GB for a vanilla or light server, and 3-4 GB for a heavy EXILED plugin stack. It's one of the lighter games on RAM.
Do EXILED plugins make an SCP: SL server more expensive?
A little. A big EXILED stack of custom roles and events adds some CPU and RAM, but SCP: SL stays cheap to host even with lots of plugins.
How many players can an SCP: SL server hold?
Rounds are usually up to about 25-30 players. The game is built around that size, so you don't pay for the big slot counts large-battle games need.
Is it cheaper to self-host SCP: Secret Laboratory?
SCP: SL is light enough that self-hosting on a spare PC is viable. But it ties up the PC 24/7, needs port-forwarding and exposes your IP — for an always-online, protected server a cheap managed plan is usually the better deal.
Does SCP: SL need a powerful CPU?
No — a modest modern core runs a full round comfortably. Network quality and low ping matter more than raw CPU power for SCP: SL.
Keep reading
SCP: Secret Laboratory is developed by Northwood Studios and is based on the SCP Foundation (CC BY-SA 3.0) community. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Northwood Studios. Prices vary by provider and configuration; see our plans for current pricing.
