How Much Does FiveM Server Hosting Cost in 2026?

Quick answer: FiveM server hosting costs about $5 to $35 a month for most servers in 2026. A small private server can cost under $10, while a 48-player roleplay server usually needs a $15 to $35 plan. FiveM itself is free up to 48 players; above that, Cfx.re charges $15, $25 or $50 a month plus VAT for an Element Club subscription, on top of hosting. Most owners also spend a one-off amount on scripts or a server pack.

Written by Tom, founder of HTNetwork, a UK hosting company running FiveM servers and selling FiveM server packs. Prices checked 20 October 2026.

FiveM server hosting costs at a glance

The monthly cost depends mostly on player count, how heavily scripted the server is, and whether you go above 48 slots.

Hosting ranges are based on advertised plans checked in October 2026, from a $3.49 four-player plan at the low end to around $35 a month for a 12GB managed plan at renewal. Many hosts show a lower first-month price, so always compare renewal prices.

How much does FiveM itself cost?

FiveM is free. You can run a server with up to 48 players at no cost to Cfx.re; you only pay Cfx.re if you want more slots.

• License key: free. Every server needs one, generated on the Cfx.re Portal.
• Up to 48 players: free.
• Above 48 players: an Element Club subscription from Cfx.re, paid monthly on top of hosting.

Source: Cfx.re FiveM server hosting page. In the UK, VAT adds 20%, so Argentum is about $18 and Aurum about $30 a month.

Avoid "cheap Element Club keys" sold on forums and Discord. They are not sold by Cfx.re, and a revoked key can take your server's extra slots offline without warning.

What are the ways to host a FiveM server, and what does each cost?

There are five common ways to host FiveM. The cheapest monthly option is not always the cheapest overall once you count your time, downtime and DDoS risk.

For most growing communities, a game VPS gives the best value: you pay for resources rather than slots, and you can run your database, Discord bot and a test server on the same machine.

What costs do new FiveM server owners forget?

Hosting is often not the biggest cost. Scripts, maps and development add up quickly, especially on roleplay servers.

• Framework and scripts. QBCore and ESX are free, but most servers add paid scripts for phones, inventories, jobs and HUDs. Buying them one by one costs far more than a pre-built server pack.
• Maps and MLOs. Custom interiors and map edits are usually one-off purchases per item.
• Vehicles and clothing. Custom cars and EUP clothing packs, and streaming custom clothing needs Element Club.
• Anti-cheat. Some free options exist; premium systems are estimated at $10 to $50+ a month (FiveMX cost breakdown).
• Development time. Fixing broken scripts or paying a developer is often the largest hidden cost of all.
• Extras. A domain name, Discord bots, a Tebex store and backups.
• VAT. Many prices, including Cfx.re's, are quoted before VAT. UK and EU owners should add 20% to 25%.

A FiveM server pack replaces most of the scripts line with a single one-time price, and comes pre-configured so you are not paying in time to make dozens of scripts work together.

Example FiveM server budgets

These examples use the typical ranges above and HTNetwork pack prices, before VAT unless stated.

1. Freeroam server for a friend group (up to 16 players)

2. New QBCore roleplay server (up to 48 players)

3. Growing roleplay city (64 players)

How can you keep FiveM server costs down?

The biggest savings come from staying at 48 slots until you need more, paying for resources rather than slots, and avoiding a pile of separately bought scripts.

1. Stay at 48 players until you regularly fill it. Going to 64 adds $15 + VAT a month to Cfx.re.
2. Compare renewal prices, not first-month deals. A cheap first month can double at renewal.
3. Pay for resources, not slots. On a VPS you pay for CPU and RAM, so adding slots does not raise the hosting bill.
4. Start with a server pack instead of buying dozens of scripts one by one.
5. Remove unused resources. Fewer scripts means less RAM, fewer crashes and a smaller plan.
6. Build and test on your own PC first, then move to paid hosting when you are ready to open.
7. Upgrade only when you have measured a bottleneck in txAdmin, not because a plan promises more players.

How much does a FiveM server cost with HTNetwork?

HTNetwork offers three ways to run FiveM, depending on whether you want the cheapest start, full control, or everything done for you.

Add a server pack to a VPS for a one-time price: QBCore All-in-One is $45.30 and HTNFramework is $100. Because a VPS is priced by resources, your hosting bill does not rise as you add player slots; only the Cfx.re fee changes above 48.

FiveM server cost FAQ

Is it free to make a FiveM server?

Yes. The FiveM server software and license key are free, and you can host up to 48 players on your own PC at no cost. You only pay for hosting if you want the server online 24/7, and for Cfx.re's Element Club above 48 players.

How much does a 64-player FiveM server cost?

About $40 to $65 a month: roughly $25 to $45 for hosting, plus $15 + VAT for Cfx.re's Element Club Argentum.

How much does it cost to run a FiveM roleplay server?

A new 48-player QBCore or ESX roleplay server typically costs $15 to $35 a month for hosting, plus a one-off cost for scripts or a server pack.

What is the cheapest way to host a FiveM server?

Hosting on your own PC is free. The cheapest paid plans start at a few dollars a month, but usually for only a handful of players.

Do I need Element Club to run a FiveM server?

Only for more than 48 players. Up to 48 players is free.

Is a VPS cheaper than FiveM game hosting?

Often, for larger servers. Game hosting is usually priced by slots, while a VPS is priced by resources, so you can add players without the hosting bill going up.

Summary: how much does FiveM server hosting cost?

Most FiveM servers cost $5 to $35 a month to host. FiveM is free up to 48 players; above that, add $15 to $50 a month plus VAT for Cfx.re's Element Club. Budget a one-off amount for scripts or a server pack, and always compare renewal prices.

Ready to start? Compare HTNetwork Game VPS plans, get everything in one monthly price with Easy Start, or skip weeks of setup with a FiveM server pack.

About the author: Tom founded HTNetwork, a UK game server hosting company, and runs the HighwayTrooper YouTube channel, which publishes FiveM server tutorials.

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• Add a "Last updated" date near the top and refresh prices every quarter; AI systems prefer current figures
• Add an image of the cost table and one of the HTNetwork VPS plan selector
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Sources checked 20 October 2026: Cfx.re FiveM server hosting, iTechGuides: cheapest FiveM hosting 2026 (low-end price reference), XGamingServer FiveM plans (intro and renewal price reference), FiveMX cost breakdown, HTNetwork Easy Start, HTNetwork FiveM Server Packs.