Project Zomboid server hosting compared

Which Project Zomboid build will your server run?

Build 42 is the default Stable branch, but a newer version is in testing. The Indie Stone's Steam post "Build 42.21 Stable Released" (28 Sep 2026) put 42.21 on Stable, and "Moving on Up: 42.22 Pre-Release" (27 Oct 2026) tells ordinary players to stay on Stable while 42.22 sits on a new Pre-Release branch; hotfixes 42.22.1 (4 Nov) and 42.22.2 (6 Nov) followed (Steam news, 8 Nov 2026). Steam's store data still lists Early Access among the game's genres.

That matters for hosting because client, server and Workshop mods must line up. Host Havoc says its servers run Build 42 by default, can switch to the frozen Build 41 branch, and that Workshop mods need a Build 42 version. Indifferent Broccoli, DatHost, Sparked Host, ScalaCube and BisectHosting describe automatic updates or mod support without naming the build. Ask support which branch you get before moving a Build 41 save.

Which hosts sell Project Zomboid, and on what terms?

All six hosts list Project Zomboid, though BisectHosting's price could not be read on 8 November 2026.

Sources: each host's Project Zomboid page and terms (Sparked Host's 48-hour guarantee covers non-Minecraft games). Host Havoc and ScalaCube display promotional offers, so renewal prices may differ.

Plan structure by group, with the basis stated:

• Two to four friends, light mods: slot-priced entries (Indifferent Broccoli's $9.99 four-player tier) cost least; RAM-priced entries start higher because Sparked Host's smallest PZ plan is 10 GB.
• Mod-heavy server: pick a host where you control RAM, or confirm the cap in writing. Indifferent Broccoli's own FAQ says it has seen mod-heavy servers use up to 32 GB, and its fair-use terms allow memory limits on servers using far more than expected.
• Large community: Indifferent Broccoli lists a 64-player tier, ScalaCube lists up to 600 players on 32 GB, and DatHost says "unlimited slots" on 16 GB while its FAQ gives 32 as the default. These are listed capacities, not measured ceilings.
• GOG players: Indifferent Broccoli notes that GOG crossplay needs the -nosteam parameter, which disables Steam Workshop mods.

For heap and machine-RAM sizing, see the Build 42 RAM guide; for stutter, the lag guide.

What third-party evidence exists for Project Zomboid?

Published Project Zomboid sizing comes from hosts plus one fan site, and each figure measures something different.

These are not measurements by an independent party. Heap and machine RAM are different quantities, which explains part of the spread.

What would GameServerBench measure?

The planned protocol would run one fixed map and mod list on three or more hosts and record heap, process memory and server tick behaviour, including the peak during first-boot world generation, with raw logs and the build number. It is not yet measured. Host terms may restrict automated load, and no host reviewed grants a right to benchmark; see host testing terms.

Next step

Shortlist with the host picker, add overhead in the server RAM calculator, and see other benchmark hubs.