Assetto Corsa Server Hosting: Rent or Self-Host? (2026 Guide)
Renting vs self-hosting an Assetto Corsa server: costs, features, AssettoServer, mods and how players join.
Quick answer: You can host an Assetto Corsa server two ways: rent a managed server that runs in a data centre with DDoS protection and no setup, or self-host using your own PC and Content Manager. Renting suits public servers, leagues and traffic freeroam; self-hosting suits quick sessions with friends. HTNetwork Assetto Corsa hosting starts at $3 a month on AssettoServer, with AI traffic, one-click presets and Content Manager mod uploads.
Written by Tom, founder of HTNetwork, which hosts Assetto Corsa, BeamMP and other sim racing servers. Prices checked 2 November 2026.
Option 1: Rented Assetto Corsa server hosting
A rented server runs your Assetto Corsa server in a data centre, with DDoS protection, backups and a control panel, so nobody has to leave their PC running.
What to look for in an Assetto Corsa host
Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
AssettoServer support | The server software most freeroam and traffic communities use, with AI traffic and extra features over the standard Kunos server |
Content Manager mod uploads | Most servers run mod cars and tracks; uploading a pack should be simple, with download links for drivers missing a mod |
Presets and track rotation | Switch between freeroam, drift and race nights without editing config files |
Location | Ping matters in close racing; host near your drivers |
DDoS protection | Public servers attract attacks |
Honest slot pricing | Some hosts charge per slot; check what a full grid really costs |
Popular Assetto Corsa hosts
- HTNetwork: from $3 a month on AssettoServer, with AI traffic, one-click presets, Content Manager pack uploads and leaderboards, in London, Texas and Sydney.
- GTXGaming: from £3.68 a month for an 8-slot server, with Assetto Corsa Server Manager and mod and track support.
- Assetto Hosting: a specialist host for Assetto Corsa and BeamMP servers.
Option 2: Self-hosting with Content Manager
Assetto Corsa includes dedicated server software, and Content Manager has a built-in server manager, so you can host from your own PC for free.
- Open Content Manager's server section and create a new server preset.
- Choose the track, cars and session settings, such as practice, qualifying and race lengths.
- Add mod cars and tracks you want to use; every driver needs the same mods installed.
- Open the server ports on your router and firewall (the default is 9600 TCP and UDP, plus 8081 TCP for the server's HTTP port).
- Start the server and share its name or IP with your friends.
The trade-offs of self-hosting
Self-hosting | Rented hosting | |
|---|---|---|
Cost | Free | From $3 a month on HTNetwork |
Runs without your PC | No | Yes |
Port forwarding | Required | Not needed |
Your home IP exposed | Yes | No |
AI traffic and AssettoServer features | Manual setup | Included or one click on HTNetwork |
Mod downloads for drivers | From your home connection | From a data centre |
Self-hosting is fine for a quick session with friends. For a server your group or community can use without someone hosting it, a rented server is far less work.
HTNetwork Assetto Corsa server hosting
HTNetwork Assetto Corsa hosting runs AssettoServer, installed and kept up to date for you, from $3 a month. Your server is ready to join in minutes with a Highlands freeroam setup, with no SteamCMD, config files or port forwarding.
- One-click presets: traffic freeroam, drift, race night at Spa, Nürburgring GT3 or a drag strip, plus up to 10 saved setups of your own.
- Content Manager mod uploads: upload a pack and it is checked, installed and ready to pick, with download links offered to drivers missing a mod.
- AI traffic, auto moderation and weather voting, switched on from the panel.
- Easy joining: a join link, a Join in Content Manager button and a public server page with live status and leaderboards.
- Restarts and rotation: up to six scheduled restarts a day, each with a different preset; Discord alerts when players join or the server goes offline.
- One-click AssettoServer updates and rollback.
- Hardware: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, DDR5 RAM and NVMe on every plan, DDoS protection included, in London, Texas and Sydney.
Watch: setting up an Assetto Corsa server with HTNetwork
How To Make An Assetto Corsa Server video tutorial
Configure your Assetto Corsa server. Also into sim racing? See Automobilista 2 server hosting and BeamMP server hosting.
Which Assetto Corsa server plan do you need?
An Assetto Corsa server is light for a few drivers on a standard track. Bigger grids, heavy mod packs and especially AI traffic need more CPU and RAM.
HTNetwork plan | Price | Best for | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
Hotlap | $3/month | Practice and hotlapping with friends | 1 core, 1GB DDR5, 10GB NVMe |
Track Day | $5/month | Races, drift and track days | 2 cores, 2GB DDR5, 20GB NVMe |
Grand Prix | $7/month | League racing and full grids | 2 cores, 3GB DDR5, 30GB NVMe |
Traffic | $10/month | AI traffic, cruise and big mod packs | 3 cores, 4GB DDR5, 50GB NVMe |
If you plan to run AI traffic or large mod packs, start on the Traffic plan; you can upgrade later if your server grows.
Assetto Corsa server hosting FAQ
Can I host an Assetto Corsa server?
Yes. You can self-host for free using the game's dedicated server and Content Manager, or rent a managed server that runs without your PC. HTNetwork Assetto Corsa hosting starts at $3 a month.
Is there free server hosting for Assetto Corsa?
Self-hosting on your own PC is free. Some hosts also offer free tiers with limits. Paid hosting removes port forwarding, runs the server without your PC and adds DDoS protection.
Is Assetto Corsa still good in 2026?
Yes. Assetto Corsa remains hugely popular in 2026 for modded racing, drifting and traffic freeroam, thanks to its physics and its large library of community cars and tracks.
What is AssettoServer?
AssettoServer is a custom Assetto Corsa server used by most freeroam and traffic communities. It adds features such as AI traffic over the standard Kunos server. HTNetwork installs it for you and keeps it updated.
Can I add mod cars and tracks?
Yes. On HTNetwork, upload a Content Manager pack and it is checked and installed for you, and drivers missing a mod are offered download links.
How do players join my Assetto Corsa server?
Share a join link or the Join in Content Manager button, or players can find it in the server list. HTNetwork also gives each server a public page with live status and leaderboards.
What ports does an Assetto Corsa server use?
By default 9600 (TCP and UDP) and 8081 (TCP). You only need to open them when self-hosting.
Summary
You can host an Assetto Corsa server by renting one or self-hosting with Content Manager. Self-hosting is free but needs your PC on and port forwarding. Renting runs it in a data centre with DDoS protection and no setup. HTNetwork runs AssettoServer from $3 a month, with AI traffic, one-click presets and Content Manager mod uploads.
Configure your HTNetwork Assetto Corsa server in London, Texas or Sydney.
About the author: Tom founded HTNetwork, a UK game server hosting company running Assetto Corsa, BeamMP and Rust servers, and runs the HighwayTrooper YouTube channel.
