How Much Does It Cost to Host a Squad Server?
What a Squad server really costs — and why it's one of the pricier games to host. The factors that set the price (its huge 80-100 player counts, RAM, CPU and bandwidth), the typical monthly ranges, and how to size a large-scale server.
Squad is a large-scale, 80-100 player game, so it's heavier and pricier than most: roughly €20-40+ a month for a full server. Unlike small co-op games, Squad's cost is driven by its big player counts and the RAM, CPU and bandwidth they demand — a full 100-player battle is a serious machine.
Below is what each factor does to the price. For exact pricing, see our Squad server hosting plans.
What you'll need
A quick checklist before you begin — have these ready and the rest is easy.
- Acceptance that Squad is a large (80-100 player) server.
- A host with 8 GB+ RAM and a strong high-clock CPU.
- Real datacentre bandwidth for 100 players.
- RCON support for admin tools like SquadJS.
- DDoS protection included for a public server.
What actually drives the price
Player slots — Squad is big
Squad runs 80-100 players. That's the core cost: a full server does a lot of work per tick for a lot of people, needing real RAM, a strong CPU and bandwidth. There's no "small" Squad server the way there is for co-op games.
up to 100 players the standard full server
RAM
A full Squad server wants a good chunk of RAM for the map, vehicles and players — typically 8 GB+. It's an Unreal Engine game with a lot happening at once, so it's not light.
8 GB+ full 80-100 player server
CPU
Squad leans on a strong CPU to keep a full, chaotic 100-player battle smooth. A fast high-clock core is important — this is a big part of why Squad costs more than lighter games.
Bandwidth
100 players is a lot of traffic every tick. A Squad server needs real datacentre bandwidth to serve everyone smoothly — well beyond what a home connection can sustain.
Mods & RCON
Steam Workshop mods add some load, and tools like SquadJS (via RCON) run alongside. These are minor next to the base player-count cost, but they add a little.
Managed vs self-host
Squad is impractical to self-host well — you'd need a powerful always-on machine with lots of RAM, a fast CPU and serious bandwidth, plus an exposed IP. Managed hosting bundles all of that with a panel, RCON and DDoS protection.
Size a big server right
Squad is inherently a big server
There's no cheap small Squad server — the game is built for 80-100 players. Budget for a full-size machine from the start.
Strong CPU keeps battles smooth
A full 100-player fight is CPU-intensive. A fast high-clock core is what keeps hit-registration and tick-rate solid.
Bandwidth is part of the cost
100 players push a lot of traffic. Datacentre bandwidth is essential — it's a real reason Squad can't be self-hosted well.
Protection included
A popular Squad server is a target. Pick a host with DDoS protection so a full match isn't taken down.
Common problems & fixes
Hit a snag? These are the issues people run into most — and how to solve them.
A full server lags in big battles
That's CPU load from 100 players. You need a strong high-clock core — a weak or shared CPU can't keep a full Squad fight smooth.
I expected Squad hosting to be cheap
Squad is built for 80-100 players, so it's inherently a big server. There isn't a cheap small-server tier like co-op games have.
Self-hosting can't handle a full server
100 players need serious RAM, CPU and bandwidth beyond a home setup. A managed plan is the practical way to run Squad.
The server got attacked
A popular Squad server is a target. Use a host with DDoS protection on a filtered IP.
Skip the setup — host it with ESAGAMES
Want a full Squad server without the hardware headache? Our Squad hosting runs strong high-clock CPUs with the RAM and bandwidth for 100 players, RCON and DDoS protection included — Frankfurt, instant setup.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Squad server cost per month?
Typically €20-40+ for a full 80-100 player server. Squad is one of the pricier games to host because of its large player counts and the RAM, CPU and bandwidth they demand — there isn't a cheap "small" Squad server.
Why is Squad more expensive to host than other games?
Squad is built for 80-100 players on Unreal Engine, so a full server needs real RAM, a strong CPU and serious bandwidth all at once. Those large-scale requirements make it pricier than small co-op or competitive games.
How much RAM does a Squad server need?
Typically 8 GB or more for a full server — the map, vehicles and 100 players are a lot to hold at once. Squad is a heavy Unreal Engine game, not a light one.
Can I self-host a Squad server?
In practice, not well. You'd need a powerful always-on machine with lots of RAM, a fast CPU and serious upload bandwidth for 100 players — plus an exposed IP. A managed plan is really the only practical way to run a full Squad server.
Does a smaller Squad server cost less?
A bit, but Squad is designed around large player counts, so even a reduced server needs substantial resources. There's no truly cheap Squad server the way there is for a small co-op game.
Do mods make a Squad server more expensive?
Only slightly. Steam Workshop mods and tools like SquadJS add a little load, but the dominant cost is the base player count and the hardware it needs.
What's a realistic budget for a Squad server?
€20-40+/month for a full 80-100 player server. Squad is one of the pricier games to host because of its large player counts and the RAM, CPU and bandwidth they demand — there's no cheap "small" tier.
Can I get a cheaper small Squad server?
Only marginally. Squad is designed around 80-100 players, so even a reduced server needs substantial resources. Unlike co-op games, there isn't a genuinely cheap small-server option.
What drives most of a Squad server's cost?
The player count. 100 players on Unreal Engine need real RAM, a strong CPU and serious bandwidth all at once — that combination, not mods, is what makes Squad pricey.
Keep reading
Squad is a trademark of Offworld Industries. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Offworld Industries. Prices vary by provider and configuration; see our plans for current pricing.