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Running Don’t Starve Together on your own PC is fine for a quick session, but the moment your friends live in different time zones — or you want your world online 24/7 without leaving your computer running — you need a dedicated server. The good news is that DST hosting is remarkably cheap. The best options start at under $3 a month, take 15 minutes to configure, and handle everything from mod installation to automatic backups.
We compared every major provider on price, performance, ease of use, and DST-specific features like Caves support and mod workshop integration. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Use a Paid Host Instead of Self-Hosting?
You can run a DST dedicated server on your own machine for free — Klei makes it straightforward. So why pay? A few reasons that matter once you’re playing with a regular group:
- 24/7 uptime without your PC running. Your friends can log in whenever they want, not just when your machine is on.
- Better latency for international players. Choose a data centre close to your group. A server in Frankfurt is better for European players than one running from your home in Denver.
- Automatic backups. No more losing a 100-day world to a power cut. Most hosts snapshot your world daily.
- One-click mod installation. The best hosts let you add Workshop mods from a web panel — no command-line fiddling required.
- Web panel for non-technical users. Your friend who can’t find the Task Manager shouldn’t need to edit .ini files just to join a server.
- Typical price: $2.49–$8.99/month for a small group. That’s less than one coffee per person, split across four friends.
If you’re technically inclined and want full control, our DST server setup guide walks through self-hosting step by step. But for most groups, a paid host wins on time savings alone.
Best Don’t Starve Together Server Hosting — Comparison Table
| Provider | Starting Price | RAM | Player Slots | Control Panel | Mod Support | Uptime SLA | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shockbyte | $2.99/mo | 1 GB | 10 | Multicraft | One-click Workshop | 99.9% | ★★★★★ |
| Bisect Hosting | $3.99/mo | 2 GB | 16 | Custom Panel | Full Workshop | 99.9% | ★★★★☆ |
| ScalaCube | $2.49/mo | 512 MB | 6 | Control Panel | Manual Upload | 99.5% | ★★★★ |
| Nitrous Networks | $3.49/mo | 1 GB | 10 | TCAdmin | Workshop | 99.9% | ★★★★ |
Top Picks: Best DST Server Hosting in 2026
1. Shockbyte — Best Overall for Most Groups
Starting price: $2.99/month for 10 slots
Shockbyte is the easiest recommendation for the majority of DST groups. It’s been one of the most widely used game server hosts since 2013, with dedicated support for Don’t Starve Together at launch. At $2.99/month for a 10-slot server, it covers groups of up to 6 players comfortably (DST runs better with a few slots of headroom).
What makes Shockbyte stand out for DST specifically:
- One-click Steam Workshop mod installation from the web panel — find your mod ID, paste it, done
- Caves world support included — this requires two simultaneous server instances, and Shockbyte handles the configuration for you
- Multicraft control panel: not the prettiest, but battle-tested and every button works as expected
- 24/7 live chat support with staff who actually know game servers
- 99.9% uptime guarantee with DDoS protection
- Instant setup — server IP within 5 minutes of payment
- 12 data centre locations globally (US, EU, AU, Asia)
Who it’s for: Groups of 4–8 players who want the lowest friction setup. If you’ve never hosted a dedicated game server before, Shockbyte is where to start.
Who might look elsewhere: Groups running 10+ players with heavy mods may find the base 1 GB RAM limiting. Upgrade to the 2 GB plan or consider Bisect instead.
2. Bisect Hosting — Best for Performance and Larger Groups
Starting price: $3.99/month for 16 slots
Bisect Hosting sits a dollar above Shockbyte but delivers noticeably better hardware specs. The entry plan includes 2 GB RAM and 16 player slots — enough for a large group running a heavily-modded server with Caves enabled without hitting memory pressure.
The custom Bisect control panel is more modern than Multicraft and includes a built-in file manager, one-click DST version updates, and a mod configuration screen that lets you set mod load order. For modpack-heavy servers running things like Geometric Placement, Epic Healthbar, or Combined Status, the extra headroom matters.
Bisect-specific advantages:
- 15 data centre locations — best selection for finding a server close to a mixed EU/US group
- Dedicated game server hardware (not shared VPS slices)
- Free MySQL database included — useful for mod data persistence
- Instant setup and automatic DST version updates when Klei patches the game
- Slightly better raw performance per dollar at higher tier plans
Who it’s for: Groups of 8–16 players, anyone running more than 10 mods, or groups that want the extra headroom for a long-running world across multiple seasons.
3. ScalaCube — Best Budget Option
Starting price: $2.49/month
ScalaCube is the cheapest option that still works reliably. At $2.49/month you get a 6-slot server with 512 MB RAM — tight for DST, but functional for a casual group of 2–4 players who play a few times a month.
The control panel is less polished than Shockbyte or Bisect, and mod installation requires uploading files manually rather than pulling directly from the Steam Workshop. For technically comfortable players this isn’t a problem. For groups who want a truly hands-off experience, the extra $0.50/month for Shockbyte is worth it.
ScalaCube works well if: You’re on a tight budget, your group is small and casual, and at least one player is comfortable with basic server management. Uptime and reliability are solid despite the lower price — the 99.5% SLA holds in practice.
4. Nitrous Networks — Best for Australia and Asia-Pacific Players
Starting price: $3.49/month for 10 slots
Nitrous Networks is a mid-tier option that earns its place on this list for one specific reason: strong Asia-Pacific data centre presence. If your group is in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, or Japan, the latency difference between a local server and a US-based one is significant. Nitrous has dedicated servers in Sydney and Singapore that the larger Western hosts can’t match.
The TCAdmin control panel is functional but dated. Mod support via Steam Workshop integration works reliably. For AU/APAC groups who’ve been playing on high-ping servers, Nitrous is the upgrade.
What to Look For When Choosing a DST Host
Don’t Starve Together has a few server requirements that not all game hosts handle well. Check these before committing:
Caves Support
DST’s Caves require running two server instances simultaneously — one for the surface world, one for the underground cave world. Hosts that sell “DST hosting” don’t always support this out of the box. Confirm Caves support before purchasing. Shockbyte and Bisect both handle this cleanly; ScalaCube’s entry plan may require an upgrade.
Steam Workshop Integration
DST mods are distributed via Steam Workshop. The best hosts let you paste a mod ID and install it in one click. Hosts that require FTP file uploads are technically functional but significantly more friction for adding or updating mods mid-campaign.
Automatic DST Version Updates
Klei pushes game updates regularly, and a server running an outdated version will prevent clients from connecting. The best hosts auto-update on restart; check whether this is included or requires manual action.
RAM at Load
DST is more memory-hungry than it looks, especially with mods and Caves enabled. As a rough guide:
- 2–4 players, no mods: 512 MB is fine
- 4–8 players, light mods: 1 GB
- 8+ players or heavy mod packs: 2 GB+
How to Choose Based on Your Group
- 2–4 casual players, lowest cost: ScalaCube at $2.49/month. Does the job.
- 4–8 players, easiest setup: Shockbyte at $2.99/month. Best all-round choice for most groups.
- 8–16 players or heavy mods: Bisect Hosting at $3.99/month. The extra dollar buys meaningful headroom.
- Australia/Asia-Pacific players: Nitrous Networks. Local servers mean half the ping of US-based alternatives.
The Setup Process
Every top-tier DST host follows the same basic workflow. You don’t need command-line experience:
- Sign up on the host’s website and navigate to game server hosting
- Select Don’t Starve Together from the game list
- Choose your plan (slots and RAM)
- Select the data centre closest to your group
- Complete payment — monthly billing, cancel any time
- Receive your server IP within 5 minutes
- Log in to the web control panel and configure world settings (world size, seasons, difficulty)
- Install mods via Workshop integration or manual upload
- Share the server IP and password with your group
- They connect via the in-game Browse Servers or direct IP connection
Once you have a handle on the basics from our DST beginner’s guide, a hosted server means you can focus on playing instead of maintaining infrastructure. And once everyone’s on, our DST characters guide will help each player find their ideal role.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Don’t Starve Together server hosting cost?
Budget options start at $2.49/month (ScalaCube). Mid-range plans like Shockbyte cost $2.99/month. For larger groups with heavy mods, expect to pay $3.99–$8.99/month for a plan with adequate RAM.
Can I run Caves on a hosted server?
Yes, but confirm this with your host before purchasing. Caves require two server instances running simultaneously. Shockbyte and Bisect Hosting both support this at their standard DST plans.
Do DST dedicated servers support mods?
All major hosts support mods. The best hosts offer one-click Steam Workshop integration, letting you install mods by pasting a Workshop ID. Others require manual file uploads — functional but less convenient.
Is it better to self-host or pay for hosting?
Self-hosting is free but requires keeping your PC running and has a steeper setup curve. Paid hosting makes sense if your group wants 24/7 access, players in different regions, or you want a hands-off setup. At $3/month split across four friends, paid hosting is effectively free.
What server specs do I need for Don’t Starve Together?
For 2–4 players without mods: 512 MB RAM, 1 CPU core. For 4–8 players with mods: 1 GB RAM minimum. For 8+ players with heavy mod packs and Caves: 2 GB RAM or more. All major hosts offer upgradeable plans.
Final Verdict
For most groups of 4–6 players, Shockbyte at $2.99/month is the clear recommendation. The price is lower than a coffee, the setup takes 15 minutes, and 99.9% uptime means your world is always available when your friends are ready to play. Mod installation is one click, Caves are supported, and the support team knows what they’re doing.
Step up to Bisect Hosting if you have a larger group or run a heavily-modded server — the extra dollar buys meaningful headroom. Go with ScalaCube if budget is the overriding concern and your group is small and casual. Choose Nitrous Networks if most of your group is in Australia or Asia-Pacific.
Whatever you choose, a dedicated server transforms DST for a regular group. No more waiting for the host player to log in, no more world files stuck on one PC, and no more latency complaints from friends two continents away.
Sources
- Shockbyte Don’t Starve Together hosting — shockbyte.com/game-servers/dont-starve-together
- Bisect Hosting DST server options — bisecthosting.com/dont-starve-together-server-hosting.php
- ScalaCube DST hosting — scalacube.com/dont-starve-together-server-hosting
I've been playing video games for over 20 years, spanning everything from early PC titles to modern open-world games. I started Switchblade Gaming to publish the kind of accurate, well-researched guides I always wanted to find — built on primary sources, tested in-game, and kept up to date after patches. I currently focus on Minecraft and Pokémon GO.