So you want your own Rust server.

We run two Rust servers every day. This is everything we wish someone had told us before we started: what you actually need, what it costs you in time, and where it usually goes wrong.

First: do you need one at all?

Free

Play on a community server

No setup, no costs, people to play with. If you just want to play, this is the easy answer.

You don’t make the rules.

Free

Host it at home

Good for a weekend with friends. Runs on a spare PC with SteamCMD.

Your PC must stay on, you need port forwarding and decent upload, and your home IP is exposed.

Monthly

Rent a game server

The sweet spot for most people: a control panel, one-click Oxide, and support when something breaks.

Less freedom than your own machine.

Monthly, higher

Rent a dedicated machine

Full control and room for several servers. What bigger communities use.

You manage the Linux box yourself.

How much server do you need?

Rough RAM needed for a Rust server
You're running Players Setup RAM
Just you and a few friends up to 10 Vanilla or a few plugins 6–8 GB
Small community 10–50 Kits, teleports, a shop 10–12 GB
Busy modded server 50–100+ Lots of plugins, events, custom map 16 GB or more

Rules of thumb from running our own servers. Rust also leans on one fast CPU core, so a modern, high-clock CPU matters more than many cores. Bigger maps need more memory.

Where it usually goes wrong

Force wipe day
Rust updates on the first Thursday of every month. Your server has to update too, and until it does, nobody can join.
Plugins breaking
That same update often breaks Oxide or Carbon plugins. Update the framework first, then your plugins, and test before you open.
Ping
Players notice ping long before they notice CPU. Pick a location close to the people you want to play with.
DDoS attacks
Public servers get hit sooner or later. Make sure DDoS protection is included, not an add-on.
No backups
One bad plugin update can wipe your players’ progress. Check the host makes backups, or schedule your own.
Cheap first month
Look at the renewal price, not the promo price. The second month is the real one.

Live in six steps

  1. Pick a location

    Choose the data center closest to your players.

  2. Choose your size

    Use the table above. You can almost always upgrade later.

  3. Install Oxide or Carbon

    Most game hosts do this in one click. You need it for plugins.

  4. Make it yours

    Set server.hostname, server.description, server.url and server.headerimage, so your server stands out in the browser.

  5. Add a few plugins

    Start small: kits, teleports, a remover tool. Add more once things run smoothly.

  6. Invite people

    Open a Discord, share the connect address, and play on it yourself.

Quick answers

How much RAM does a Rust server need?

As a rule of thumb: 6–8 GB for a few friends on vanilla, 10–12 GB for a small community with plugins, and 16 GB or more for a busy modded server. Bigger maps and more entities need more.

Can I host a Rust server for free?

Yes, on your own PC with SteamCMD. It has to stay on, you need port forwarding and enough upload speed, and your home IP is visible to players.

Do I need Oxide or Carbon?

Only if you want plugins such as kits, teleports or a shop. Vanilla servers run without them.

What happens on force wipe day?

Facepunch releases the monthly Rust update. Your server must update before players can join, and plugins may need updates too.

Where ForgeRust runs.

Both ForgeRust servers run on Pine Hosting. If you're looking for a host and want to try them, you're welcome to use our link. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep our servers running.

Have a look at Pine Hosting

The Pine Hosting link on this page is a partner link: if you buy through it, ForgeRust earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we use ourselves. Questions about running a server? Ask us on Discord.